Something I haven't seen discussed much (if at all) on this website is the danger of wild animals
Its not really discussed because wild animal attacks are really not a survival issue. Wild animal attacks are generally the result of human stupidity and inapproriate behavior. You really are more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked and killed by a bear in the wilderness for example. Just follow some common sense precautions. And if your lucky enough to see a mountain lion you should regard it as a privilege. Just give the animal enough space so that it can make its retreat.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/10/ap/strange/mainD8I56AVO0.shtml I don't necessarily concur with this. Mountain lion and bear attacks do occasionally occur with no provocation. Saying, "they only happen infrequently and it won't happen to me", is akin to saying, "people rarely get lost in the woods - I don't need to carry all this crap". I do, however, agree that if every effort should be made to let the animal retreat, but acknowledge that this may not occur.
Just because it doesn't happen often doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
FWIW, I don't frequently hike in lion/bear country, but when I do (and where legal) I pack a Glock 20 (10mm) stoked with 200-grain LFNs.
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