California Man Killed By Mountain Lion
By Todd Helms
Last weekend Taylen Claude Brooks was killed by a mountain lion in California. His brother Wyatt Brooks was badly mauled as well. Eastmans’ Hunting Journals extends our deepest condolences to the Brooks family and wishes a speedy and full recovery to young Wyatt.
According to reports the cougar attacked the young men without provocation while they were shed hunting. The men did everything by the book to dissuade the cougar to no avail. When authorities were finally able to arrive on the scene Taylen Brooks was dead and the cougar was found guarding his body. The animal was killed.
This is the first mountain lion related human fatality in California since 2004.
While this is not the time or place to delve into the politics surrounding the mismanagement of apex predators by modern society, it is an opportune time to remind all us who recreate outdoors to carry and maintain proficiency with sidearms such as handguns or at the very least carry and know how to effectively deploy deterrents like bear spray.
Shed hunting season is well underway across most of the United States and run-ins with apex predators are fairly common this time of year, especially in the Mountain West region as grizzlies begin to emerge from their winter slumber. Trying to avoid dense cover, making noise and hunting in pairs or groups is advisable in predator territory.
Stay safe out there this spring!
Source Link
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/27/california-cougar-attack-brothers-family-tribute
Colorado Mountain Lion and Bobcat Ban Update | Eastmans’ Life of A Bowhunter Podcast
https://youtu.be/CjVbEDZroWI?si=OjEpdjgzmTq4aTLI
In episode #27 of the Life of A Bowhunter podcast, Brian Barney and Dan Pickar sit down with Charles Witwam and Dan Gates. These guys are leading the fight in Colorado and all western states to protect hunting. They talk about the Colorado mountain lion and bobcat ban and why it’s so important to get involved and stay informed. These guys are intelligent and well spoken. Listen up, Charles and Dan explain what the hunting community is up against. This is an important conversation and one all hunters should listen to and support.
