It is a good sign for North America that the cougar population is still healthy in many of the traditional areas. This is due in large part to the abundant deer population. Although cougars and people generally don't mix, in many populated areas in the western mountains cougars may be found in people's backyards. They are looking for a pet cat or manageable dog as a snack.

Wolf packs give human activity a wide berth, but the solitary cougar can hide in a hedge and easily slink into gullies or escape up a tree. As you would expect, cougars, like most cats, are primarily nocturnal.

I imagine this one appearing on a mountain ridge above me. It is starting its evening hunt as the first stars appear in the clear sky. Although it hasn't seen me yet, it is too close for comfort. If this moment had happened, the hair would be standing up on the back of my neck. In a moment, if I were discovered, the cougar would be gone. Or maybe not.

- Robert Bateman