(meteorobs) Meteor Watching and Wild Animals

[Richard Kramer]

>  Quoting David Oesper <oesper at mac.com>:

>The heartbreaking death of young Canadian folksinger Taylor 
>Mitchell  from an extremely rare coyote attack this week makes me 
>wonder what  the risks are watching meteors, alone, at night, on a 
>lawn chair  (prone and two feet off the ground), in a remote area. 
>Are mountain  lions, bears, wild dogs, coyotes, etc. more likely to 
>attack you in certain areas of the country under those 
>circumstances?  Have any of  you had (or heard of) incidents, and do 
>you take precautions?


Of these, in North America, the only creatures I'd be concerned about 
are mountain lions. It's not a good idea to make yourself look small 
and prey-like after dark where lions are roaming.

Two years ago, while observing in lion country in Montana, I 
refrained from chairs or blankets on the ground and observed while 
standing. Overly paranoid, perhaps, but that same week I actually 
sighted a lion on the prowl during late dusk only a couple of 
miles  from my observing spot.

Rabid animals are another matter. Of course, it couldn't hurt to 
carry a suitable firearm against the small chance of an unpleasant encounter.