Not a problem. Cougars prey on deer, which are doing quite well. My understanding is that mountain lions were distributed across the continent, so, in a sense, they are just expanding back into their homeland.

Small children are most at risk. If you encounter one, make yourself look big (put your child up on your shoulders), make noise, see kitty go away.

I started hiking in cougar country, have seen their tracks covering my tracks, have found their kills, but have not had an encounter in fifty years. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />