Cougars on the Cliff: One Man's Pioneering Quest to Understand the Mythical Mountain Lion, a Memoir

A story of redemption, this book is a memoir about the never-before-told adventures, challenges, and controversies surrounding Maurice Hornocker's groundbreaking study of cougars in the remote reaches of the Idaho Primitive Area.

Maurice Hornocker is recognized worldwide as the first scientist to unravel the secrets of America's most enigmatic predator--the mountain lion. North America's biggest cat was once killed for bounty dollars, slaughtered with impunity and driven toward extinction. But today's cat of intrigue, despite our lingering fears and misconceptions, has returned to much of its native range in the western United States. This turnaround was triggered by one man: Maurice Hornocker. Cougars on the Cliff recounts the early years of his research (1964-1973) when he tracked lions following a dog's nose and footprints in the snow--before telemetry was available. Thanks to Hornocker's work, today cougars can be found throughout the West and have even started to reclaim their place in New England.