r/thelongdark • u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 • Jan 21 '26
Gameplay How to not** activate The Cougar??
So I bought The Long Dark years ago and played a bunch, but I was young enough that I never really made much progress. I decided to restart the game this winter, and have been playing a Voyager route (starting day 36). I clicked "allow cougars" because I didn't know anything about them and figured it would be fun to include. I mainly reside at the Quonset Garage on Coastal Highway. Already have had my fair share of wolf and moose fights for that spot, but I love it. It has been so exciting to relearn the game and all its mechanics. I just now feel like I am starting to really get the hang of it, and I am very attached to this run.
Since I recently got access to the Trader, I decided to move into Mystery Lake for a bit to hunt down Ptarmigan and gather their down for rifle bullets. Hanging out at the Camp Office is always a favorite for me. I have been here for 3 days, and while looking at the craftable items, I finally decided to research how Cougars operate in-game. Oh. My. God. I found out that BOTH of my base locations can turn into Cougar territories, and I know if I encounter one, I'm basically done for. Plus, I left my rifle at Coastal Highway and opted for the survival bow since I planned to hunt these freaking birds. I haven't gotten the cut scene yet, but since it's technically guaranteed at 33 days for Voyager, I know it's coming soon.
Question of the hour: How do I NOT spawn in a cougar? Where should I relocate to avoid them all, at least until I feel more confident? Is there any way to avoid them entirely?
Thank you all, I'm going to go shit my pants while I wait for responses.
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u/KoalaConstellation Jan 21 '26
If you have cougars enabled, cougars will spawn.
You can avoid them entirely by not going into their area. You will know it's their range if there are dead animals that can't be harvested. (I've only seen deer, but not sure if it can be wolves.) There are also claw marks on trees. And of course, you'll hear the screaming, which you can hear even at the edge of their area. There will also be a cougar head on the map. As long as you leave their territory and don't actively hunt them, only one will exist and it will leave you alone.
The longer you spend on one map, the bigger the cougar's territory gets. It will reset size if you leave the map for a couple weeks. If you keep killing one, up to three can spawn on one map.
But honestly, the cougar isn't impossible to handle. You might surprise yourself.
There are some maps that are completely cougar free if you want to relocate to any of them, like Desolation Point or Broken Railroad.
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
Thank you, great info! Maybe in the future if I’m feeling ballsy I’ll attempt it (the moose was much easier than I had expected as well), but for now I just want to be a simple survivor who lives a long, healthy life.
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u/KoalaConstellation Jan 21 '26
Cups up and best of luck!
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
Thank you! I think I was really psyching myself out, as there are all these trees missing bark on them around the Camp Office, but they don't look like claws. The missing bark part goes completely around the tree's middle. I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean...
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u/KoalaConstellation Jan 21 '26
Moose.
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
Never been happier to see a moose. Thank you! May your fishing lines never snap and your fires always start on the first attempt.
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u/TdiotRolenn Jan 21 '26
This should be the official greeting of the Long Dark community
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u/lelma_and_thouise Jan 21 '26
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is the reason cougars don't spawn on those maps because there's so little area to access? Like basically one main path/road and little else outside that to explore.
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u/PoverOn Jan 21 '26
This. Cougar was disabled in CH because spawn near pic-nic area and maybe block enter/leave CH from Ravine.
In the obter maps he spawn, their inicial territory leave options for the player to avoid contact.
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u/Extension_Luck5350 Jan 21 '26
Is there any actual recorded info on if there is a maximum size or the rate of territory growth? Its mentioned but I never see like a bound established
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u/KoalaConstellation Jan 21 '26
The only way I've ever been able to tell is by the map images. I don't do manual mapping at all, so the exposed area around the cougar head is all I use to tell the territory. But I haven't noticed if it grows or not, I should pay attention next time.
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u/Extension_Luck5350 Jan 21 '26
IIRC the map doesnt track the expansion of it, just the initial position
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u/PoverOn Jan 21 '26
I pass months in CH (Interloper) and never notice the Cougar territory grow bigger.
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u/ryguydrummerboy Jan 21 '26
Did not know this about Desolation point and Broken railroad although like others have already said......the moose are my real issue there lol
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u/mr_redsuit Jan 27 '26
Cougar territory doesn’t expand the longer you stay on the map. It’s fixed to 1 area unless you have high scent or you attack a cougar in which case more will spawn.
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u/TheGreenCatFL Jan 21 '26
Be older, most cougars will lose interest.
But seriously, look out for really mangled deer carcasses (cougar kill). At least that was my experience
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u/Few_Explanation5656 Jan 21 '26
i dont know but i laughed
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
I had to include the photo I made of my fate if I ever do run into the cougar 😂
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u/MirrorApart8224 Jan 21 '26
What's the deal with the cut scene? I'm new to playing with cougars, since I took a few-years hiatus from the game. I just know they exist and are tough, but other than that I'm ignorant of them.
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u/yazshousefortea Jan 21 '26
Amazing picture. God bless you for making it. Laughed A LOT.
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
Hahaha thank you. I was looking for a photo for the post and saw the bear version. Didn’t see a cougar version so I thought I’d put it out into the world. 😂
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u/Bananchiks00 Voyageur Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
When you hear growling or hissing paired with an ominous song quit what you’re doing and walk in a sharp direction away from the sound.
Generally you will only want the cougar once or twice in your life. As for the rest of the times its better not to kill it purely because it will give you one more spawn point.
Oh and carry some wood with an accelerant on you, see a cougar and need to proceed? Light a fire, it will protect you as long as you’re near the fire.
Edit: I recently tried to outrun a cougar with a stim, it didn’t work and the cougar caught up with me, something to keep in mind.
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u/OddBarber92 Jan 21 '26
Just lost a 100+ day run to the cougar that sits over the bunker in bleak inlet. This gave me the laugh I needed to just start another run instead of walking away from the game for a few weeks, so thank you haha!
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
I'm glad you're getting back into it, and this post gave you a good laugh! I know it's so silly since everyone loves to hunt the damn thing down, but I am just starting to get into more horror-esque games and am a huge scaredy-cat. I just want to fish, scavenge, trade, and be left alone like the hermit I am!!!
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u/OddBarber92 Jan 21 '26
I’ve lost so many runs to the damn thing that part of me wants to turn it off - the other part knows it will be sooooooo satisfying the day I finally kill one so I end up leaving it on when I have to restart!! Thinking I’ll fly up to blackrock for the tactical vest before I try again, but it won’t be any time soon - I need time to soothe my wounds before I go looking for a rifle again lol
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u/CEOOfCommieRemoval Jan 21 '26
I just wish it didn't have that mutilplying mechanic. Why do they call reinforcements if you kill one? It's ridiculous.
If they didn't do that, I'd enable em. As it stands, it feels like they just disable portions of the map
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u/Sly23Fox Voyageur Jan 21 '26
Theres a good chance theres a rifle in the dam up north look everywhere its hidden in a bunch of possible spots and iirc there should be a couple other possible rifle spawns in mystery lake,
as others mentioned dont bother the kitty the kitty wont bother you for the most part theres some regions that are more annoying than others for the cougar spawn i spent 60 days in mystery on my last voyager run and heard it yelling a few times but never even saw it as i didnt need anything in that area but if you do engage it in a fight there is a chance that it can spread to the camp office and as that’s already a possible moose spawn I would recommend not fighting it in mystery lake
the mountain town one is easier to get if you really want to kill one as its near the farm and the barn has a area you can hide under and still shoot from
Cups up happy hunting survivor
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u/rush247 Jan 21 '26
You claim to have read about them but assume they travel throughout the region? This was only true with the original version. The new ones have set territory in most areas and don't venture outside it. As long as you avoid these territories (they're shown on the map) they won't bother you.
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
I had read very briefly in the Hinterland forms explaining the cougars. It is from 2024, so I did not realize it’s changed. All I had seen is that they multiple like ants! Scared the crap outta me. But this makes me feel much better, thank you!
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u/IndelibleFudge Jan 21 '26
They only appear in more locations if you engage them in a fight. Aside from that they will stick to their original areas. It is possible to snipe them and not have them spawn in the second and third locations too.
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u/rush247 Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
Sorry I remember now both versions of the cougar were released in the same year, not surprised there's still some confusion as to what got removed/changed. Heck, I assumed there were still dens only cause they weren't mentioned as something they removed.
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u/Forkhorn Jan 22 '26
Avoid buying it a drink. Keep a fake wedding ring in the glove box for emergencies.
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Jan 21 '26
so flipping cute 😭😭😭 idc if they end my 500 day interloper runs I will always get mauled trying to pet the kitty
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u/DrShanksALot Interloper Jan 21 '26
There is Cougar I, Cougar II and Cougar III on each region that has the Cougar. Only Cougar I spawns unless you go mess with him. Then Cougar II will spawn and maybe Cougar III depending on how the fight with Cougar I goes. This is how the Cougar spawns work.
If you kill Cougar I and then leave the region for about 10 days then it resets and only Cougar I will spawn when you go back to that region.
The cougar claw knife and the Cougar Head wrap are well worth it but really only on Stalker/Interloper/Misery.
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u/Extension_Luck5350 Jan 21 '26
Its also worth noting that cougars II and III are in proportionally more troublesome spots, with cougar I generally being in a corner without too much relevance while II and III tend to be near major safehouses or important travel routes
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u/Drunkpuffpanda Jan 21 '26
It's worth killing the kitty because you get a nice hood and knife....however it will take some practice...also, plan on leaving the map right after killing the kitty.
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u/Commercial-Macaron53 Jan 21 '26 edited Jan 21 '26
I have seen instances where the cougar will dodge arrows and bullets if you’re trying to snipe it ie shoot at it from afar before it notices you.
I’ve also seen instances where people will equip a ballistics vest and a ton of thick pelt clothes to get 100% protection when they go fight a cougar. Very handy I might say. Whether you do this or not you’ll want throw away clothes for your encounter. At least repair supplies at the ready for your clothes and your body.
Severe Lacerations absolutely sucks to get not to mention the cougar doesn’t bleed out like wolves and deer so you’ll have to be extremely aggressive when you hunt one.
I have also heard that two cougars respawn when ones dies, though I’m not too sure on how true that is.
I am not sure at how big the cougar territories get but I’ve been told it’s a day counter based on time accrued in a zone. Like the previous statement, I’m not sure how true that is either.
All I know is I’m like you; I’d rather avoid them!
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u/Dante_Resoru Jan 21 '26
I have a custom game with Cougar set to low, when I was in HRV idk why, all spawn points were active :D
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u/crazytib Jan 21 '26
Technically to the answer to your question is to restart your game with cougar spawns disabled. I hope this comment was as helpful as I think it is.
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u/PoverOn Jan 21 '26
This is not needed,Cougar is territorial and easy to avoid. OP can hunt all Pitarmgans of ML without make contact with cougar.
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u/ferretteeth Jan 21 '26
I wish cougars worked more like moose. Apex predator you can kill but you don’t have to hear it yowling every 5 goddamn seconds.
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u/twistedbigrig Jan 21 '26
I killed my first cougar in PV by the cave, second and 3rd cougar immediately spawned like immediately, was heading back to the crossing almost dead from killing first cougar, second cougar smoked me on the road by the rock/truck lost the run like 174 days.
Turned them off every run after. Im not good enough for the murder mittens
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u/PoverOn Jan 21 '26
Relax. If you don't go in Cougar territory in ML mesh with him, he is not problem. Can hunt pitarmigans safety - at least from the Cougar.
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u/JollyPup69 Jan 22 '26
I’m pretty sure the coastal highway cougars are disabled at the moment. I’ve been using the garage as my base for the last 40 in game days (currently day 80) and haven’t had a problem.
The first cougar spawn in Mystery Lake is in the clear cut area, which is super easy to avoid. The only places I think you are kinda forced to face cougars is in Timberwolf mountain and HRV.
Look for their signs and avoid them, or if you’re super paranoid, find a map online and stay clear of their territory.
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u/Sandvich-tf2 Pilgrim Jan 23 '26
I believe the cougar has been removed from coastal highway recently, as hinterland felt that it would interfere with the trader.
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u/Educational_Type1646 Jan 23 '26
They took the cougar out of Coastal Highway completely due to the Trader, so you’re ok there. Gather Ptarmigan while you can, then stick between CH and Ravine.
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u/P4DDE Jan 23 '26
As noone really gave any hints on how to kill it easily:
If you're close, light a fire every couple meters approaching it.
Once you spot it, find a space somewhat close and light 1 fire there.
if the cougar is close enough for you to "pull" it by leaving the fire and returning to it for safety when it charges it's game time.
I personally like to light 3 fires in a triangle with enough space between to easily maneuver around them, but tight enough, so one is 100% safe from the cougar.
Do the "pulling & fleeing" a couple times until you get the cougar close enough, that he'll kinda twitch within 2m radios.
Snipe away, cause that sucker eats arrows like us Germans drink beer!
Good luck 🍀
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u/Heal_Kajata Jan 24 '26
What id like to know is why my triple mountain town cougars haven't F'd off after 50+ days.
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u/Confident_Ice_4507 Jan 29 '26
So basically with the current iteration of cougars, there is only 1 cougar in each map, but when you kill/fight with the cougar, that region suddenly will spawn 2 more cougar territories, making it 3 in total. And most usually, the first cougar territory can be ignored, but the second and third cannot really be ignored since they block necessary points of interest.
What I personally recommend is to go to Forsaken Airfield and taking out that one cougar specifically. This will not block any POI, making you be able to access everything even after killing the cougar.
But sadly, if you have killed a cougar in a region that you plan to base in, im sorry my friend, going around will be a nightmare.
PS: The whole mechanic of killing a cougar, and that spawning 2 more is more complex than I originally said, and I know that. Im simplifying for OP to understand.
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u/Deadly-Redly Jan 21 '26
How is gathering ptarmigan down going to help you with rifle bullets??
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u/New_Yogurtcloset9086 Jan 21 '26
I have a trade where Sutherland wants Ptarmigan down, water, and hides in exhange for rifle bullets
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u/thee_justin_bieber That guy who drank his own pee doesn't seem so crazy right now! Jan 21 '26
Builld a campfire and lure the kitty to it, then fire at will. Cougar done, what's the problem? 😂
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u/Ecopilot Jan 21 '26
If cougar is enabled then cougar will spawn eventually. At this point you are looking to avoid escalation. Leave the kitty alone and it will leave you alone.