Our VT homestead was visited by a cougar 3 years ago. It was interested in our sheep and goats. We were able to finally scare it off through a combination of aimed gunfire and lots of noise (dog barking, wife banging pots and pans).

Now we have a Great Pyranees and she keeps the predators away.

EDIT: We are in the Chateauguay Wilderness in the center of the state. Miles and miles of connected forest.

We actually don't have the key to our front door, but it can still lock. If that happens we have to walk around to the door that just has a knob, no lock.