Ive been a hunter for 12 years, I hike every weekend in prime mt. lion country in AZ, when i lived in NY I hiked in the company of black bears. In all this time I have never been confronted by anything dangerous. The biggest issue that comes into play (in most cases) with attacks is lack of knowledge. Generally attacks occur where a lion has been given food by humans in the past, or that the lion has become so used to humans and the fact that they pose no threat that they become complacent and more daring. Also the lack of respect for these animals causes issues, people belive they can hike into a canyon and not worry about anything, then when they see a lion they freak and belive the lion is at fault.
Like I said I have hunted for many years so I am by no stretch some animal rights nut, but I do belive that ignorance among people causes an overwhelming fear about these lions. As far as cattle ranchers and other farmers all I can say is WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, I mean its like the people who build houses on the mississippi flood plain then cry when there house floods. Yes its tragic but you have to realize what you are doing.
In most cases lions will be easily detered by load noises and by a human acting aggressivly, there are exceptions to this, if the lion is starving or protecting its youth, there is almost no way to fend it off from attack.
RTStuka
P.S. - Im dying to go on my first lion hunt.
