Watch: Florida Woman Has Close Call with Cougar on Bridge

by
posted on April 1, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
woman_cougar_camera.jpg

Photo Courtesy Facebook Video

Hunters—outdoorsmen and women in general, really—occasionally have run ins with some of this planet's more dangerous creatures. Bears, wolves, big cats—anything's possible when you venture into the wilderness. That said, close calls with mountain lions aren't particularly common for anyone, given the big cat's tendency to avoid detection at all costs. Still, human/cougar interactions can and do occur, as one Florida woman learned in what assuredly was a scary moment. In a video posted to the Facebook page of one Tina Dorschel, a woman is walking along a wooden bridge/path in what the details say is the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Fla. when she's accosted by one of the very large, very scary kitties.

A few seconds into the video, the camera operator pauses and starts whispering "Oh my God, oh my God." The viewer doesn't have to wait long to see what has her so agitated—a mountain lion (or panther, as Florida folks tend to prefer—they did name a hockey team after them, after all) comes barreling down the path toward her. The big cat seemed just as surprised and scared as whoever was behind the camera—it quickened its pace, nearly slamming into the rail of the bridge in doing so, and got out of there in an awful hurry. No one was harmed, though I'd wager the owner of the camera/phone was probably a little shaken up.

Check out the video for yourself and get a closer look—it's embedded below. Warning: There's some minor profanity involved as the cat approaches—not that I can blame anyone for that.

Latest

Oregon Flag Fabric Background LEDE
Oregon Flag Fabric Background LEDE

Oregon Petition to Ban All Hunting Moves Forward

Animal-rights activists in Oregon have surpassed the required 117,000 signatures needed to qualify for the November ballot by submitting more than 126,000 signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office in support of Initiative Petition 28 (the PEACE Act), which would ban all hunting and fishing in the state—not to mention ranching and so much more.

First Look: 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak

Looking to upgrade the ballistic performance of your 6.5 Creedmoor rifle? Federal just released a game-changing cartridge—the 6.5 Creedmoor+Peak—that does just that. And the best part is, there is no new rifle required.

Spring Bear Tactics: Why Late is Great!

Looking for tips to nab a late spring bear? Follow along with some tips from Scott Haugen.

First Look: SoundGear X Realtree Electronic Hearing Protection

SoundGear has partnered with Realtree to introduce a SoundGear Shield x Realtree Special Edition of its 93 dB product.

Range Review: TNW Firearms 1911 ASR: A .450 SMC Carbine?

This caliber-convertible PCC from TNW is designed for high-pressure loads other models can't touch.

New for 2026: XS Sights Tritium Standard Dot Front Sights for Ruger SP101

Ruger SP101 revolver owners can now upgrade their factory sights with XS's pre-drilled Tritium Standard Dot front sight for easier target acquisition.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.