Cougar pics...

WOW Curt

Im not gonna lie, I would trade slaying 100 hogs for a shot like that at a Mt Lion! Excellnce! What did you shoot it with by the way?
 
Hey Curt, that's a sweet cat man! You live on the West side of the Mountains, that sure looks like it. I've called in two cougars but have yet to get a shot, you know how thick it is here on the West Side. For all of you who aren't familiar with Washington state the cougar population here has exploded since the hound hunting ban (1997 I believe). I recently read an article that stated the population has doubled, twice! The season runs from August 1st through the midle of March, the limit is two cat tags and they're only $20.00 a piece. I guess we do have something to thank the Tree Huggers for!! ~6mm
 
Thanks for the kind words Cold and 6mm.

Cold, she was shot with a 22-250 Win model 70.

6mm, I know how you feel. I've called a few in too and never got a shot. This thick terrain we have makes it tough. Especially if they are just trying to sneak in. I was fortunate that this one was actually coming at a trot which made it much easier to see.

You are right about the cougar population. They have a cougar running around in downtown Vancouver now. They are seeing them at the outskirts of a lot of the small towns around here. I have a neighbor about 1/4 mile away that had a steer killed last month.

Another guy I know had a foal maimed last week. The cougar packed it over a fence by it's neck and then dropped it when the mare got excited. The vet had to put it to sleep because of the damage to the throat.

Like you said, increases our chances of success. Just hope no kids get hurt though.

Good hunting
 
Congratulations on the big cat. Did you name it? For some reason I like to name everything that I get done up afterwards. Maybe I'm the only one but that's ok.

What kind of a bullet were you firing in the .22-250? It kinda looks like a hand loaded soft point but I can't see the tip that well. Anyway whatever it was it did the job in fine fashion for sure. Very jealous! Ryan
 
Thanks Displayed Name. I didn't name her. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif Good idea though. I might try and think of one.

I was using a Sierra 55gr BTHP. Can't imagine having much less damage. Little pinhole entrance was all there was. No meat loss. I was real happy with the bullet performance. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Good hunting, Curt
 
wow! that is fantastic! well done, it must be great to be able to shoot animals like that at your door step!
and as so. dak. asked do you eat them? doesnt ring my bell i must say.....
 
Thanks Foxman! The meat is very good. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif One of the better game meats. No gamey taste or smell. Looks like pork. Tastes somewhere between pork and beef.

Take care and good hunting, Curt
 
Hey Curt,

What is the coyote hunting like in that terrain? I hunt coyotes out in the flat lands. A friend of mine likes to hunt coyotes in that kind of stuff. He does okay and even gets an occassional bobcat. Hiking around those hills just for a coyote was more work than I like. I'd do it in a heart-beat for a lion though. I almost killed myself trying to get a sheep! LOL
 
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Rim Runner, that is good advice. I remember reading a article about an incident where someone brought some cougar jerky that did not reach a high enough temp to work and unknowingly got a bunch of people sick. I cooked some of the burger the other day and the family and myself tried it in spaghetti. Tasted the same as using beef burger in the sauce.

Danny, the coyote hunting is ok up there. Not many roads though, so later in the season the coyotes near the few access roads get pretty spooky. Hiking in a ways is more productive. The coyotes have the advantage with the thick woods providing cover to conceal their trip downwind. I used to do a lot of shotgunning for coyotes in the woods but prefer the more open terrain now. Kinda neat seeing them come in from a long ways off instead of bursting into an opening 15 feet away. LOL! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif There are quite a few breaks where stands can be made where the hunter has an advantage though.

You are right about it turning into work. Not a lot of flat ground up there. Real late in the season (after the 1st of the year) it gets pretty snowed in normally and you can't get in there till late spring. This year was a freak year as far as accessing that area in March. Since I was up there last month it has now snowed and a wheeled vehicle won't get in.

If you ever make it out this way, look me up. Be happy to take you up there. Calling them in isn't the hard part it seems. Seeing them for the shot has been the tough obstacle. For as often as we try calling cougar, (and I mean specifically targeting cougar in cougar country) we have had a pretty good success ratio for response. Like I said though the terrain has always made it difficult to get a clear shot or you might not know one came in till after the stand.

Take care, Curt
 
Out Freaking standing Curt!!!!!!! I got amped just reading the story and seeing the pics. Kinda felt like I was next to ya the whole time.

Be safe,
Todd
 
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