Opening day moose hunt. Early morning, still dark, getting quad the off truck. I see 3 sets of 'green eyes' in the shadows. Eventually surrounded on 3 sides by these eyes. I thought they were coyotes or bobcats being curious, so approached one to run them off... my head lamp revealed a long tail as I got close - about 6 feet close... It flanks me. I quickly go back to tent and get 30-30 and blast rounds into the dirt in front of it and they all run off... I was surrounded by cougars. I think it was a mother showing her cubs how to hunt. Very freaky.