[pct-l] Owl Attack

[Steel-Eye]

Good afternoon, Bill,

Last summer I thought I was going to have a similar problem with a very
large owl.  I was hiking the 40 miles around Mt. Hood on Trail #600,
Timberline Trail; the southwest third of which is also PCT.  I had
camped on the east side of the mountain very near where the Gnarl Ridge
Trail joins the Timberline Trail.  As I wandered around enjoying the sunrise
and eating hot granola from my little pot I saw a large owl on a limb about
10 ft. away, and maybe 8 ft. up a tree.  At that relatively short distance
the intensity and unwavering stare of those incredibly large eyes was
disquieting.

It immediately assumed a launch pose by bending well forward, opening its
wings slightly back, and shifting its weight from foot to foot like a cat
does just before it pounces, all while continuing to stare at me.  With no
more defense than a pot of porridge and a Lexan spoon I started to back up
without taking my eyes off of it.  It was rather like backing away from a
person who was about to toss me a running chainsaw.  As it turned out, the
owl didn't launch but it never took it's eyes off me and it maintained it's
aggressive posture until I was out of sight.  I have no idea whether it
thought
I was dangerous or delicious.

I'm not a bird expert, but I believe it was either a Great Horned Owl or a
Great Gray Owl.  It might have been the rare Gray Owl because they are
day-hunters, and because I don't remember seeing the big ears of a Horned
Owl.  I must admit, though, at the time I was more concerned with bladder
control than I was with bird ears.

Steel-Eye

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <billsuej at comcast.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:21 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Owl Attack


>I did a trail run this evening in Forest Park, which is located in the West
>Hills of Portland, Oregon.  It was dusk, right around 7:00 PM.  All of a
>sudden, it was smacked in the back of the head.  I didn't hear a thing, or
>see a thing.  I figured it was some type of creature - but I was clue less
>as to what.  About a 100 yards up the trail, it happened again.  I turned
>and saw an 18-24" tall owl sitting in an adjacent tree.  I screamed and
>yelled - and he just stared back.  I proceeded to walk backwards up the
>trail until I felt safe, and then resumed running.  No blood was drawn, but
>I am sure he could have scalped me had he wanted to.  I am not sure if I
>have seen an owl outside of a zoo - and I know that I never saw one on the
>entire length of the PCT.
>
> My question is this - does anyone have any idea why he knocked me in the
> head???  Has anyone else had a similiar experience ??
>
> Bill Jensen - PCT '77
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