I've been hunting squirrels in some woods near my house with my pellet gun. I shot one in the head yesterday, and was going to continue my search for tree rats and rabbits and then some animal started snarling at me. It was not a deer or a dog, and a daisy powerline 1000 .177 would probably just tick off a cougar or bobcat if it did decide to attack me and i'd have to barenuckle fight it and hopefully snap its neck. First i shrugged it off and went up my trail about a quarter mile, and the creature started making the noises again (much closer than before), it was definitely making its way toward me and it sounded big. I promptly left (with the safety off??lol) because i did not know what it was, there have been cougar sightings in the county, and i've seen large bobcats in the same area. Anyways All i had was one squirrel, i skinned, gutted etc.. and am letting it soak in salt water for another few hours. Should I freeze the squirrel meat before or after i soak it in saltwater? I'm going to wait till i haveat least 5-6before i fry them up.This spot is on the edge ofthe city limits so I can not use my 20 guage, I do have a .40 cal smith and wesson that I might keep on my side next time i go out because if it is a puma I do intend to kill it on site (this is a suburban area with lots of children and pets only a 15 minute walk from my camp/hunting spot, not to mention a middle school). Whatever it was it was obviously not very afraid of me. I know what a deer grunt sounds like when they get ticked or scaredand this was totally different i don't know how to describe- a screaming snarling roar. I yelled at it and threw in some 4 letter words just to let it know it was pissing me off.