Hi Mountain Joe. My wildlife professor used to tell us that most bears or animals have to be starving before they'd consider us as a meal, for we probably smell and taste terrible to these animals. As a kid in British Columbia we'd wander around the Cariboo mountains never bothering to worry, and here in Northern California I'm not much concerned either. I do carry pepper spray, but the mountain lions like to pounce from behind, so I try and keep vigilant, look about at my surroundings, hike with a partner (but not always.) For decades I would hike off trail with my two well-trained dogs who would fan out in front of me, and I of course never worried then.