The search for prey is driven by the cat’s hunger and, in the case of a female, the need to feed growing kittens. I have spent a lot of time in the mountains, but have only seen a mountain lion in winter, never during the summer. Mountain lions are … How To Stop a Mountain Lion Attack. Since deer are mountain lions’ favorite preys, they tend to be most active when deer are out in the open, which is usually at dawn and dusk. While these are also the times that people like to take a walk — avoiding the midday sun — we have a responsibility to be sensible when we do so in mountain lion country. Mountain Lions are most active in the winter because snow offers them several advantages over their prey. Large paws help Mountain Lions sprint over deep snow that deer or elk flounder in. For more information about safety in mountain lion country, visit the CPW website. Lacking a strong sense of smell, Mountain Lions have difficulty tracking prey in the summertime, so instead they wait in ambush for prey to come to them. Mountain lions can be found throughout Arizona, and data suggests the populations are not only stable, but growing. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and dusk, corresponding with deer activity. Mountain lions used to occupy the entire United States coast-to-coast, but today they are primarily found in 14 western states with a small endangered population in Florida. Lions are most active at night, so it’s important to be most cautious when hiking at dusk or dawn. What time of day are mountain lions most active? Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends following these precautions to avoid mountain lion encounters. Crepuscular means they like the early dawn and late twilight hours, and nocturnal means they are also active at night. Mountain lions in winter are very active as they walk around and hunt prey. If a mountain lion attacks you, you probably won’t see it coming. They are most active at dusk and dawn, known as crepuscular. Make lots of noise if you come and go during the times mountain lions are most active… Mountain lions are solitary animals, traveling alone except during mating season or when a female is supporting young. A relentless hunter. Let’s start by getting the most dramatic scenarios out of the way first. Mountain lions are solitary cats. Mountain lions are considered to be both crepuscular and nocturnal. Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Mountain lions normally spend their days taking covers, and they only go hunting when their preys are active. Mountain lions tend to spend the day in dense cover, and to hunt when deer are active, most often at dawn and dusk. Here are 3 cool facts about these mountain lions during the winter, including their winter survival strategy. And FYI, mountain lions, cougars, pumas, and Florida panthers are all the same thing. Mountain lions tend to spend the day in dense cover, and to hunt when deer are active, most often at dawn and dusk. In the unlikely even of an attack, fight back as aggressively as possible with anything you have. The current estimate is 2,000 – 2,700 throughout Arizona. I always wondered why that would be. The most common areas to see mountain lions in Arizona are in places of rocky and mountainous terrain. They can certainly be seen during the day, but dawn, dusk and night is when they are most active.