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

by Maurice Hornocker

Maurice Hornocker is recognized worldwide as the first scientist to unravel the secrets of America's most enigmatic predator—the mountain lion. A story of redemption, this book is a memoir about the never-before-told adventures, challenges, and controversies surrounding Hornocker’s groundbreaking study of cougars in the remote reaches of the Idaho Primitive Area. 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 and gained respect as a predator integral and necessary to wild ecosystems. 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. Hornocker was first to learn that mountain lions living in stable populations limit their own numbers through territoriality and a concept he called “mutual avoidance.” This insight flew in the face of long-held beliefs that cougars were prolific and wanton killers that needed to be controlled as vermin. Thanks to Hornocker’s work, today cougars can be found throughout the West and have even started to reclaim their place in New England.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Science

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2023

Reviews

[Sara B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cats but am afraid of cougars and this totally changed my fear into fascination. Loved this engaging adventure memoir, especially having visited Big Creek and stumbled upon a memorial service for Wilbur Wiles in 2019. This felt like an escape into the backcountry whenever I read it.

[Ooga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. It’s a memoir of the guy who first began studying mountain lions in Idaho back when we didn’t really know anything about them. There were lots of myths about mountain lions because they’re so elusive and mysterious, so no one knew anything about their behaviors. It covers why and how he began studying them, his methods for finding/catching/releasing them, what he learned, and how it lead to protecting mountain lion populations. I found it really interesting, easy to read, and exciting since I didn’t know any of this history. I wish there was a little more discussion on how he interpreted his data to reach his conclusions. This made me want to read more wildlife/science books

[Dallin Kohler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4.5 stars. Good blend of science and narrative.

I will always wonder how many mountain lions have seen me.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love Idaho!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better late than never as they say. Hornocker, a pioneer carnivore researcher and legend among big cat biologists decided to publish a memoir of his early field research some SIXTY years later when he is already in his nineties. As if his numerous papers and popular articles weren't enough of a legacy. The book is an account of the ten years of ground breaking study of cougars in the rugged mountainous terrain of Idaho in the mid 1960s, the first of its kind and when knowledge about the cat consisted of hunter's lore and hearsay. Tracking through thick snow and using hounds to tree the animals in order to tag and measure them was painstaking and slow. Eventually though, Hornocker and his mountain man assistant Wilbur Wiles identified almost the entire population of roughly twenty odd resident individuals in the locality and dispelled the myth of cougars as cold blooded lust driven killers. Like many other scientific discoveries in ecology, it caused a furor and invited hard push back from opposing political interests, in the form of hunters and livestock owners who tried to sabotage the program.

The book ended as a new generation of research workers armed with radio telemetry continued tracking the cats. Today, with remote sensors like trail cameras field work has become vastly different. But although more data can be gathered easily, researchers no longer have the enjoyment of seeing their subjects in the flesh like the old days, with no sightings even after spending years in the field, especially in dense forests or when densities are very low as in deserts and mountains. We are fortunate that men like Hornocker and George Schaller greatly advanced our understanding of apex predators and turned the tide against persecution of the puma that allowed their recovery. The study techniques invented were also used worldwide since then, with varying levels of success depending on the particularities of the country.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a very straightforward account of the pioneering study of cougars which happened in the 1960s in a remote mountainous area in Idaho, after the author had spent time working with the Craigheads and grizzlies in Yellowstone. This was before radio collars were used, so the study took place only in winters when tracks could be followed in the snow by travelling many miles on foot, and hounds were used instead of helicopters. Acknowledging the technological advances which have since occurred, the author hopes today’s scientists will still get out to experience being in the wild. Hornocker is in his 90s now, and reading this in my 60s with a lifelong interest in wildlife, I often thought how great it would be to have these memories to look back on.

The politics and divisiveness of wildlife issues in the Northern Rockies haven’t changed much (maybe it’s even worse now) and the history of dealings with people opposed to the study is included also, as well as some mistakes which were made. The book also covers his family life and the deep friendship which developed with the cougar hunter he hired to work with him during the years of the study.

If the subject interests you, you’ll absolutely want to read this book. Lots of photos too!

Thanks to Globe Pequot/Lyons Press and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

[Genna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Human beings benefit from being exposed to wild country not only to remind us of our roots, but also to lend perspective to our existence."

This is a straightforward account, lacking romanticism and flowery language. And therein lies its greatest strength. Hornocker is a straight shooter, a passionate wildlife biologist with decades of experience in early field research. Conversational and unpretentious, but steeped in fact and observation, Cougars on the Cliff is an exceptional adventure in the advent of field research, groundbreaking studies of mountain lions, and the invention of radio telemetry. Hornocker's research of mountain lions was unprecedented and integral to the shift in status of the species from vermin to a game species in Idaho. Fascinating, informative, and ultimately an inspiring read if you're invested in the American West and our treasured wildlife.

"It's not only a job, it's a way of life, he told me, a calling that offers one of the purest forms of joy—the reward of discovery in nature."

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read from the great grandfather of mountain lion research. Accessible to both layperson and biologist alike, Hornnocker recants his early efforts with the species in approachable prose that do nothing to belie both the rigors of field research or the challenges of navigating a political and social landscape that is often piloted more by assumption and anecdote than science when it comes to the impacts large carnivores have on both the species they utilize and the habitats they inhabit, whether those put them in close contact with humans or not. I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the species, biologist or otherwise.

[john and connie gahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! When I was a student at the University of Idaho, I stood in awe of Dr. Hornocker. And I only knew half of what his actual work was. Later, as a Conservation Officer, stationed in Cascade, I got to know most of the people mentioned in the book and the impacts his work had on the area and us.
If you love wildlife and the work that was done to understand how little we really know about it, this book will open your eyes to the men who helped us in our understanding. Thank you Maurice and Wilbur!

[Bonni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and exciting memoir of the research and advocacy of cougars in the Idaho primitive area. The author’s respect for people and nature comes through in his writing. I grew up watching National Geographic specials, and this memoir was on that level of interest, engagement, and scientific discovery.

[Amanda Broyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! An engaging memoir and look at mountain lions and how the author pioneered studying them. If you're interested in wildlife conservation or big cats, you will enjoy this.

Thanks to Edelweiss and National Book Network for an advance galley of this book.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more you learn, the more you learn you don’t know. Love this quote from the book. There’s such a big world out there and I’m fascinated daily with new information. I love learning and this book taught me a lot about cougars.

[Stuart Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly engaging.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back jacket author bio with photo of author holding an orange tabby cat is the icing on the cake of this wonderful book.

[Brannic Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely phenomenal

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous recounting of early research into the lives and behavior of these predators. The author tells of his lifetime of research on cougars: grueling winter tracking, innovations in technology over the years, gathering useful information for scientific conclusions, and dealing with the volitile politics involved at all stages. Also, excellent writing by Hornocker; I might look for more work involving co-writer David Johnson as well.

[Emily Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - have recommended this to several friends since listening to the audiobook on a road trip. An adventure, a memoir, and an ecological look at cougars all in one. I loved it, especially living near the research area and in the town the author spent some formative years of this project.