I was out hunting in a popular deer spot and wondered why the deer weren't in the area any more. There was sign everywhere and I had seen them there previously. I was hearing noises behind me and would stop to look. There was nothing in sight whenever I looked back. Until, I had had enough and backtracked where I had just walked. When I reached a large ponderosa, a cougar emerged from behind the tree and began to circle me. It was making groaning noises leading up to a full blown screem. The cougar circled me getting even closer. At this point I was feeling that it was within pouncing range. Thank god I was hunting with my rifle. I don't like to take game other that what I am hunting for, but at this point, it was time. I did have a cougar tag that I had bought to get one in the winter. Needless to say. The cougar I took that year, didn't have the winter coat,but it still looks good on my wall.