LOCAL NEWS

‘I am so lucky to have walked away alive’: Utah woman escapes encounter with cougar

Aug 22, 2022, 4:15 PM | Updated: 8:02 pm

RUSH VALLEY, Utah — A woman who was hunting in Tooele County, Utah, Saturday crossed paths with a mountain lion.

She posted a video on Facebook that showed the encounter.

“My biggest fear came true today. I am so lucky I got away from this kitty,” Laurien Elsholz stated.

She is thankful she was able to walk out of there alive. As a hunter, she’s in the woods a lot, and has seen mountain lions before, but never in an encounter quite like this.

Laurien Elsholz describes her encounter with the mountain lion. (KSL TV)

“My friends were up on the hill and I was in the bottom of the ravine, walking up towards the top of the mountain,” she explained.

She was out for the opening day of the archery hunt Saturday out in the woods of Rush Valley. It’s something she’s done many times before.

Elsholz said she smelled something that was dead then she felt something grab her leg.

She said, “And then to my right, I heard crashing and felt something like swipe at my leg and I looked down and it took me a second to realize that I was face to face with a mountain lion.”

It took her a few moments to start recording.

“I started yelling up the hill to everyone, like, ‘Mountain lion!’, like letting them know,” she said.

Elsholz backed up into thick trees and shrubs. She had to move closer to the animal so she could back away.

“I have a thing on my pack where I put my phone to record and I actually didn’t mean to end the video,” Elsholz said. “As I was putting my phone in to capture, I ended the video and thought I was recording way more.”

But that was not the end of her encounter. “It followed us for about a mile before turning around and just bolted back down to the canyon towards food.”

She thinks she stumbled across the mountain lion as it was eating and the animal was just trying to protect it.

“Just be aware you’re not alone in the mountain. It’s their territory so go prepared,” she warned.

Cougar Stalks Man For Six Minutes During Run In Utah Canyon

In October 2020 a Utah County man survived a similar encounter.

He recorded the incident on his cell phone as a cougar stalked him for six minutes.

“Insane! I can’t even explain how I thought this was happening,” Kyle Burgess, 26, said. “It was cool, exciting and then it’s like what do I do?”

The Division of Wildlife Resources said if you run into a cougar, back up slowly, maintain eye contact, stand tall, and talk in a loud voice.

Be prepared to protect yourself too. Eslholz said she had to hit it a couple of times with her hiking stick as it got too close.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

hospital sign as part of Utah's safe haven...

Shara Park

Utah’s Safe Haven law offers help to frightened pregnant women

Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services wants frightened pregnant young women to know that they have a place to turn for help and encouragement just after an 18-year-old Wasatch County woman was arrested, accused of killing her infant son and disposing of his body in Parley’s Canyon.

11 minutes ago

Recall: This recall involves Shimano Ultegra FC-6800, Dura-Ace FC-9000, Ultegra FC-R8000, Dura-Ace ...

Larry D. Curtis

More than 680,000 bicycle cranks recalled due to crash hazard

Because of thousands of parts failures on bicycles that have separated, Shimano cranksets manufactured before July 2019, sold individually and on bicycles, have been recalled.

56 minutes ago

Park City parking lot...

Katija Stjepovic

Park City to address pedestrian safety, affordable housing

Park City has invited the community to a public meeting Tuesday night to go over the city's hopes to improve the lack of affordable housing along with pedestrian, bike, and transit.

1 hour ago

Candace Lierd walks into her bail hearing Tuesday (Court pool photo)...

Lauren Steinbrecher

Victims react after Exitus CEO denied bail

The former CEO for anti-human trafficking nonprofit, Exitus, was denied bail in a hearing on Tuesday. Further, more victims have come forward with accusations made against her and prosecutors say she is likely to face more charges.

1 hour ago

child in doctor's office...

Mike Anderson

Flu, COVID cases expected to rise in Utah

The number of COVID-19 diagnoses continues to stay above what we saw over the summer but now some doctors are starting to see early signs of the flu as well.

2 hours ago

People explore Utahraptor State Park...

Alex Cabrero

Ground broken for Utahraptor State Park near Moab

There are certain days Brookes Britt looks forward to. Monday was one of them.

2 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

rodeo contestant on a saddle bronc...

DAYS OF '47 RODEO

Get Ready for the Days of ‘47 Rodeo!

The Days of '47 Rodeo is a series of events everyone in the family can enjoy, with world-class rodeo contestants vying for the gold medal.

Electric LED Lightbulb Change In Light At Home...

Lighting Design

How to Know When to Upgrade Your Lighting

This guide explores indicators that suggest it’s time for a lighting upgrade with tips to make an informed decision when you’re ready to buy. 

Brunette guy in headphones playing games on his desktop computer...

PC Laptops

Looking For a New Computer? Use This Desktop Buying Guide

Choosing a new desktop computer can come with a lot of questions, so we created this desktop buying guide.

‘I am so lucky to have walked away alive’: Utah woman escapes encounter with cougar