Night Hunting - Ringtail Cat Using Wicked 400

Coltbill45

Coltbill45

New member
Date: 9-15-2014
Time: 02:12
Location: Southern Nevada Desert
Rifle: POF 415 11H 5.56
Bullet: Hand load 55 GR Hornady V-Max with 25.9 GR BL-C(2) powder
Distance: 75 yards


Most only hear the word Ringtail Cat in folktale stories from people who only dream of running into one. You have a better chance of hitting a Powerball jackpot or being struck by lightning than to see one of these in person. Well, this is the second time that I have ever harvested one of these in all of my hundreds of hunting trips. This guy was taken at the exact same spot that I shot my first one like 3-4 years back and measured out to be almost 3ft long (big sucker). So some might say that I'm the luckiest man in the world but, I chalk it up to dedication and persistence. As much time that I spend on the hunting grounds yearly it's nice that it pays off every now and then. I couldn't ask for a better night of hunting and it's only the beginning of the 2014 season.

I'm so glad that I didn't bring my 22-250 with me on this trip or else this guy would have been blown to pieces with only a trace of a tail left. The only hole the 55 GR V-Max left was a nickel size under the right arm so it will be very easy to sew up when I send it off to the taxidermist. I will post pictures of him when he is finished.

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Cool! I've seen a few here, but never called one in (not much night calling in NM). If one ever does come in, he's in trouble, because a full mount would be really neat. I look forward to pictures of your future taxidermy.
 
Very nice,
I have been blessed to have harvested 3 of these beautiful mystical creatures. They were always on my bucket list then 3 years ago I shot one in half with the .223, then my next 2 were shotgunned all one year apart.
Here are pics of the last two.
They are actually a member of the raccoon family if you look them up.




Both of these are getting mounted.
 
Lived in So NV all my life and have spent countless nights out calling and have never seen one. I've seen just about everything else but one of those.
 
They're pretty common here in central Texas. They stink, similar to a skunk, just not as strong. Soft fur like a domestic kitten. We even have a few that are solid black, except for the tail rings. They don't respond to a call well, but will sometimes respond to bird or rodent type calls. They are fast on the ground or in a tree like a squirrel.
 
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