A few years ago I was stalking a big bull moose in the Canadian Rockies. The moose at one point circled around and came back across his own tracks. When my buddy and I reached that spot ( we reckon we were about 250 m and closing in) we saw amongst our own prints fresh very large cougar tracks following our prints.
There's nothing quite like being the hunter and realizing you can easily become prey.
One of the things I miss about not living in Canada anymore. I absolutely love the predators Ie cougar bears wolves etc. It just feels like you are more involved in the food chain and the cycles of nature. A good thing in my mind is having to personally earn your position in the food chain.
Btw by the time I worked into position for a shot on the moose light was fading and the opportunity for a clean shot did not present itself. When we got back to the vehicle I grabbed my rifle and shot off a shot in the air. Mmmmm what ya know in the thick push near our 4x4 where we had just come through something shot off through the bush as fast as lightning. I reckon that cougar was hot on our tail even though we continually kept a look out and did not see him once, but we could feel him.
I should point out normally cougar are not a big issue, but get a big brave cat like this sneaking in from behind and they mean to take something down.
Ahhhhhh good fun
particularly in the Southern States of Australia perhaps we'll have a home grown photo featuring a Victorian hunter, a Sambar Stag and said Big Black Cat