The answer to this question is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. Sure, the INFORCE WML Gen 3 rifle-mounted light packs a punch with its 10,000 candelas—enough to blind a human and make them regret their life choices. But when it comes to bears or mountain lions, things get a bit trickier.
Let’s start with bears. Flashlights have been used against them with mixed results. You've probably heard the saying, “If it’s black, fight back; if it’s brown, lay down.” Well, that wisdom doesn’t just apply to your survival strategy—it’s also relevant when you’re wielding a flashlight. A 10,000-candela beam might dazzle a bear for a moment, but how effective it is really depends on the bear’s mood and species. A black bear, especially one used to nighttime lights (thanks to the wonders of modern civilization), might not be fazed at all. In fact, it might just give you a look that says, “Is that the best you’ve got?” before going about its bear business—but will more likely than not slink away into the woods, not wishing to be bothered by the bright light and the loud noises you’re hopefully making. A grizzly bear or Kodiak, however, is a different story. Thanks to their aggressive nature, they might see a light as a challenge and attack you.
The real key here? Don’t piss off the bear. Remember, every bear has its own personality. While one might scurry off when you hit it with a bright light, another might just see it as a minor annoyance. And trust me, you don’t want to be the one annoying a bear.
Now, mountain lions are a whole different story. For example, there was a 2018 incident in Nederland, Colorado, where a mountain lion attacked a family’s dog. The dog’s owner and his father-in-law rushed out, yelling and flashing a light at the lion. When they switched on the strobe function, the lion finally backed off. But it didn’t act like you’d expect it to: instead of sprinting away in fear or launching itself at the humans, the lion calmly licked its paws and strolled off, as if to say, “Well, this has been fun, but I’ve got other things to do.”
The light distracted the mountain lion, sure, but it didn’t truly scare it off. At best, it was treated as an inconvenience than a deterrent. Interestingly, studies have shown that artificial lights can actually increase the predatory behavior of mountain lions. Think of it this way: deer that live near well-lit areas tend to be more active at night because they can see better. And where there are more active deer, there are more hungry mountain lions. These big cats are smart—they know a good hunting ground when they see one. So, if you find yourself face-to-face with a mountain lion near a city at night, chances are it’s in full hunting mode. A flashlight might make it pause, but if it’s decided you’re the main course, you might want to have something a little more persuasive on hand—like a gun.