Well. I stepped right on a rattler last summer when a friend and I were fishing a private farm pond.... sad to say, he didn't make it. I should have been lookin where I was walkin. Usually when I see snakes, they're headin away from me, rattlers are fairly timid. Cougars have shadowed me a few times, and I've seen their tracks on top of mine several times. I came face to face with one at Lake Britton in N. CA. two years ago, about 20 yards apart. He just looked at me and my fly rod for a few seconds, then bounded up the hill. I think he was just down to the lake for a drink, it was dusk. I've also seen bears a time or two while fishin' but nothing scary, they usually don't want anything to do with folks either. I always pack a .357, but have never hauled it out. I kinda figure the cougar whose gonna gitcha is the one you'll never see. That 'ol .357 just makes me feel better. .........................................ModocDan