It's actually not the predators I'm worried about around here, other than feral dogs. A catamount would have my complete and utterly undivided attention, though, mainly becuase officially they don't live around here anymore. I'm more worried about moose than I am a catamount actually. A brain damaged cow on stilts.

But feral dogs are a major annoyance. The coyotes/coy-wolves and the hunters have pretty much taken care of them, along with rabies, but they don't scare and generally take a lot of killing before they realise they're dead.

Terrain change, and speed, is why I carry two largish (30 gallon) garbage bags in my gear. Each is about the size and weight of a sandwich when folded. Between that, something to dig with and cordage, if you can't make a shelter appropriate for the climate, you aren't trying very hard. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Another idea is to cut your tobacco with lawn clippings, so long as you don't do anything to your lawn. Supposedly, a pipe of 50/50 green hay and tobacco was my dad's punishment when he was caught smoking as a kid. At least so the legend goes- do this outside. Easier clean up.