I guess if i am meant to be chow for a ML, other than stop riding i have no options. If i ride up on it most likely it will run away. But if its stalking me, there are enough tall grass and bluffs beside the trail that i wont see him/her coming. My friend and i discussed having the conservation department come down and find out if its female or male. 2 reasons for this. One is that if its female, i dont want to ride up on its cubs in the spring. Two is i dont want to ride up on a horny male during mating season. Very territorial creatures i assume.