Will You Run or Will You Shoot?

1. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   
   You are on vacation in one of the national parks in Kenya. You are there to observe only and not interact with the wildlife. You observe a couple of cute lion cubs playing in a small bush but their mother doesn’t seem to be anywhere in sight. Suddenly, the mother lion comes charging from your extreme left. You are situated between her and her cubs. Your jeep is approximately ½ mile away. You always keep a rifle handy for emergency situations.
   
   Can you sprint the ½ mile and elude the lioness or will you defend yourself and make the cubs orphans?

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      bBereanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Between the eyes is the only choice you could ever tell your friends you made.  If you felt you had time you could try a warning shot, but you better be sure.  No way your outrunning her.

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      1. 81

         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Maybe you are right but people have been know to possess superhuman traits when survival is at stake. I would rather not shoot but if it came to that ...

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            bBereanposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            My choice for superhuman traits at that moment would be a steady hand and a keen eye. 

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            1. 81

               Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Good point.

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   2. 87

      Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Run and you're dead, no question.  Prey runs, so that will just confirm that you're edible.  And you cannot outrun her - lions are too fast.
      
      You might just stop her in her tracks if you stand your ground, wave your arms about, shout, fire warning shots etc.   Prey never stands its ground, so that will make her think you're dangerous.  But if she's attacking you to protect her cubs, that will just confirm her fears and she'll keep coming. 
      
      Sadly, shooting is the only option.   The lesson is that you had no business getting out of the jeep in the first place.   In most wildlife parks, you will stay in your vehicle at all times unless you're accompanied by at least one experienced, armed ranger.

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2. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   Considering that lions can run up to 35 miles an hour; I would probably break a world's record!

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3. 60

   Jacoliveposted 9 years ago

   I would think shooting is the way to go here. No way youre outrunning a lion over any distance.

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   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I see that the consensus is to shoot ... what will you do with the orphan cubs?

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      1. 60

         MonkeyShine75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         No one can outrun a lion, and if one was after me I'm afraid I wouldn't give orphaned cubs a thought, and I would shoot to kill
         I wouldn't want to kill her, but I'd have to

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4. 60

   Jacoliveposted 9 years ago

   Ill probably try to get them to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, or ill.let the game rangers know of their location. I am sure they will be just fine. Unlike me... if i did not shoot

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   1. 76

      Castlepalomaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It would stupid me going into  areas that I'm not aware of the dangers. I never carry a gun. I was trapped between a bear cub and her inside in a garbage hut. Never run they all sense fear and will attact for sure. I was roaring as loud as I could and threw garage tops at her. She crushed
      open a wall, then ran and her
      cub ran around me, then ran after her.

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      1. 81

         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         But will they not sense fear even if you do not run?
         
         That was quite an adventure you had. You are certainly right regarding going into an area and not be aware of the danger. However, as man invades more and more into the habitat of wild animals; its getting harder and harder to avoid them.
         
         There have been many encounters of people and black bears. Especially when people live close to wooded areas. My daughter has seen several deer and she lives about a mile from me.

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         1. 76

            Castlepalomaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Even in humans we can over react and panic, then attact when we are in fear. People fear what they
            do not understand
            and the same for
            animal unless your
            on their menu. Very
            rare any animals like
            the taste of human.
            
            The up side is all animals love.

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   2. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I do see your point.

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5. 60

   Jacoliveposted 9 years ago

   Unfortunately we've mostly destroyed their natural habitat. Which is why we need to go to national parks to see them in the first place.

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   1. 76

      Castlepalomaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Worldwide swam with crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish,barracudas and killer whales. Contacted komota dragon, handled dozens of
      snakes, watched, 54 bears, petted a 500Ib tiger and a lion, been attacted by a pack
      of dogs and got mugged by
      monkeys. Never had a gun,
      only got a few warning bites.
      None them harmed me or I
      them. It by respect and
      understanding of behavior
      was been the key. My
      daughter and I are fearless
      type people. Where guns
      create 8 times greater danger
      factor with human and with
      animals than not having
      them.

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6. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   Correct me if I am wrong ... but those don't look like the type of weapons used for shooting animals ... at least not the four-legged kind.

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   1. 68

      Dressage Husbandposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      They are not and with either of those you would likely miss until it was close enough to get you in one bound. You would need a rifle and probably about .303 caliber. Such a rifle could hit her at more than half a mile and be accurate in the hands of a marksman, hunter or sniper. It also carries sufficient ammunition to get off at least 5 or 6 rounds if you had to (magazine of 10 or 12 rounds).

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         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         wow ...

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      2. 60

         MonkeyShine75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         One in the picture is a 357, and you don't think it would kill a lion?
         A lot in the power of a gun, is determined by the type of bullets you use
         
         List of guns to match the animal
         http://www.chuckhawks.com/gun_game.htm

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         1. 68

            Dressage Husbandposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            To hold a 357 pistol steady while standing is extremely hard, and the recoil would likely make anyone miss, unless you had something to brace against. The rifle can be used and steadied against your shoulder that is why snipers always use rifles, and not hand guns.
            
            The time needed to steady brace and fire accurately with such a pistol would allow the lion to get you. The rifle comes with a sling which you wrap around your forearm as you raise it to your shoulder and a marksman could get off 5 or more rounds accurately, one would likely be enough though.

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   2. 60

      MonkeyShine75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Those revolvers are very powerful. and easier to get between you and the lion if he is very close. And one is a 357
      People often take revolvers, and rifles, or shotguns.
      A 22 rifle is not the gun you want to take if you are out with lions
      
      I only showed the picture so people could see the parts of the guns, because I spoke of the sights, gee you guys are so literal
      
      Here is the parts of a rifle, and a shotgun
      
      
      
      and the revolvers
      

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7. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   Great answers, everyone ... and unfortunately you are right!
   1. Please stay in your jeep
   2. Self-preservation is the first law of nature
   3. Let's be mindful of the other creatures that share our planet and do what we can to keep them here

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8. 68

   Dressage Husbandposted 9 years ago

   The first thing here is that in Game Reserves you really should stay in the Jeep. The surprising thing to me is that everyone said shoot to kill. I am certified as an army marksman so can hit you in the eye at over 100 meters and in the head at a mile with a standard army rifle.
   
   I would stand my ground and fire a warning shot close enough to almost hit her only if she charged the second would be aimed at her leg toward the rump, so that she could not run as fast as me anymore, then I would high tail it to the jeep.
   
   The Rangers could then call a vet and save the animal as well as her cubs. It is a shame that people who do not know what they are doing ever get to carry arms.
   
   People should note that the average human can only sustain speeds in excess of 15 miles an hour for short bursts, so out running her is out of the question.

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   1. 60

      MonkeyShine75posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      My Dad retired from the military, and is really big on responsibility. At home, or in my hometown, we have a shooting range where people can practice. He used to take us there a lot so he could teach us to shoot a gun. As long as your sight is on a target, you are almost assured to hit it. Sometimes exact aiming is impossible, as in an animal attack when time is limited, so make sure the end of the barrel in on your target. The more practice you get the better aim you'll be/have
      

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   2. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That definitely is a really great point ... stay in the jeep. Don't assume that the cubs have been left alone for a long time. Especially, if they are very young ... momma is in ear shot. Get a great pair of binoculars and observe from a distance. I've seen enough National Geo Wild episodes to actually know better.

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      1. 87

         Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Like I said, this scenario isn't realistic because in most game reserves in Africa you are not allowed to drive around on your own, so there would be a ranger with you - and he would never let you leave the jeep alone.   
         
         You can drive your own car in the Kruger National Park - it may be the only one in fact, not sure - but you will be told you must NEVER step outside your vehicle under any circumstances, even if you break down, and given a safety manual.

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   3. 87

      Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a good plan for you, but for the average person who may not be a good marksman, there's a risk that if they fire to wound they will miss altogether - and then it will be too late.

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9. 60

   Jacoliveposted 9 years ago

   As far as im aware you can actually drive through most parks in your own vehicle. Im from South Africa and have been to a few of them including serengeti in tanzania. Also there are plenty of places that offer walking Safaris, so this scenario could very well present itself. The Addo park, close to where Im from, has areas where you can leave your vehicle. As long as you stay close to it. If you wander off half a mile from your car though, thats your own silliness

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   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think I;d prefer riding in a tank ... ha-ha!

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         Castlepalomaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         And miss the adventure?

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            Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Oh, I love an adventure, as long as I'm not the main course!

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10. 0

    PaperImagesposted 9 years ago

    I, would only shoot if I had a tranquilizer gun. It may sound crazy, but if I'm out in their domain, I'd better have made my list of do and don't list before I decided to go on this adventure.

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