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ORIGINAL: Baleful Scout

I have been face to face with "Panther" (with no dogs)on a few occasions.
The most intense was...
I was on the ground crouched under a cedar tree...
I had already seenthe Pantherstalking a deer 300 yards off as I was stalking a bachelor group of 3 in a brush field.
Our stalks brought us to within 75 yards from each another.
At this point I abandoned my stalk andput a knee down under the mentioned cedartoobserve the Panther.
I watchedit take the whitetail and then it immediately turned its attention to me.
I knew it couldnt smell me and it was dark by this point so at first I just watched hopeing it wasnt coming my way, but it was. In a semi-circle.
I unsheathed my knife and laid it on the earth by my knee.
It got closer and closer.
I drew my bow back and thought 15yards no problem, then the thought crossed my mind of wounded ticked off cat in its enviroment...It should run off when shotbut who knows I thought.
I let my bow down and continued to stare in its eyes. I couldnt really see its eyes but I could "feel" or connection.
My heart was as pounding at this point.
The Panther sit on its haunches and lowered its head I saw the tail whip. It was around20 ft away I guess...
I jumped up with knife in hand and holding my bow as a shield.
The panther jetted off to its right...

I dont think you need to worry about an attack by a Puma as long as you make yourself known.
I am sure the panther I had my run in with was only triing to see what it needed to protect its food from.
"I always watch my back whenmy face is in the wind."

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