Be Alert, Cougars Are More Visible In Utah’s Warm Months

Cougars—also known as mountain lions or pumas—are elusive predators that roam across much of Utah. While attacks on humans are rare, it's not unusual to spot one on a doorbell camera or while out hiking, especially during the warmer months. With sightings increasing in recent years, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has offered guidance to help residents and recreationists stay safe.

Cougars typically live in foothills and canyon areas, though they may occasionally descend into valleys during winter in pursuit of deer, their primary prey. As deer move to lower elevations to find food, cougars often follow. According to population trends monitored by the DWR, cougar numbers in Utah have been steadily growing.

Because cougars primarily hunt mule deer, people are most likely to encounter them in deer habitat and during dawn or dusk. “People are most likely to encounter cougars in areas frequented by mule deer, and at dawn and dusk, which is when cougars typically hunt,” Game Mammals Coordinator Darren DeBloois said in a press release.

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In an effort to reduce conflicts, the DWR recommends avoiding hiking or jogging alone and maintaining awareness by staying off headphones and traveling in groups. If you find a dead deer or elk while hiking, it’s best to leave the area—cougars often cache their kills by covering them with soil or leaves and may remain nearby to feed later. Residents living near deer habitat are advised to install motion-sensitive lighting, remove vegetation and wood piles that could provide cover, and bring pets and livestock indoors at night.

If You See A Cougar Don't Run

In the rare event that you do encounter a cougar, do not run. Instead, maintain eye contact, pick up children and pets, stand tall, and slowly back away while speaking firmly. If attacked, fight back—cougars have been known to retreat when met with enough resistance. “Typically, a cougar that is trying to prey on something will sneak up and ambush them,” DeBloois noted. “When a cougar lunges or bluffs a charge at someone, they are typically just trying to drive them out of the area because they have kittens or a kill nearby that they are trying to protect.”

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Cougar sightings should be reported if the animal has killed something in a yard, behaves aggressively, or appears repeatedly on security footage. One-time sightings, especially in foothill areas, typically do not require a report. For more information and safety tips, visit the Wild Aware Utah website.