I dont know why I do it but every year I read the WDFW warning about this time a year being a good time for running into a cat,or bear and their cubs. I spend a great deal of time on the OP, 99% on my own and as far away from people as possible,Upper HOH,upper HOKO, upper DUC,etc,etc,. I am a fairly small guy who does not move to fast with a disability that slows me down. I find myself slowly going thru the brush sneaking up to the river bank to avoid spooking any fishies. I am starting to think about my ass being chewed to bits from a surprise encounter, or stalking from a cougar. I met one on the upper Hoko awile back but she was busy chomping another creature to pay to much attention to me. Am I nuts? Paranoid, Smart, or just being a pus--. Whats your thoughts??

you have reason to worry, the Paranoids are after all of us, everyone knows that. Don't they???

I would just use caution and stay alert. As far as your disabilities, with a big cat you are better off not running (lunch runs pretty fast for these critters), just make yourself appear as large as possible and make a lot of noise.

I thought I heard a rumor of some fly fishermen training a special cougar to eat spinfishermen up on the upper hoko.

I feel my odds are much better running into a cougar deep in the woods where it is comfortable and in its element than I do running into one in the suburbs where it is not as comfortable.Remember that cougs do not eat people.I like you spend my time in the woods getting as far away from human impact as i can.Never have I felt any paranoia concerning the wild life of western washington.