Blacktail Cougar Kill

[enaz]

A few days into archery season I found this. I was walking into the spot whre I'd seen this buck several times before, and when I came up on the last little clearcut where he usually was, there were 6 turkey vultures posted in the middle of it.  I thought to myself " great someone already shot my buck!?" I walked to the end of the road and when I was on my way back I couldn't help but go check it out. When I got out there this is what I found 
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I came back the next day and brought my rifle and camera. I checked it nearly every day for about a week but the cat never returned. It only ate some of the hind quarters and left the rest !? It was real hot and dry so it started to get pretty sour after 2 or 3 days. It didn't stink at all the day I found it and there was still wet blood on his anlters from rubbin velvet, so I think it was fairly fresh, within a day or so.

[blackveltbowhunter]

That sux! Damn cats! 

[D-Rock425]

 

[seansfire]

hope you shoot that cat.

[bullcanyon]

Go sit that spot. You'll get that cat.

[KenPCPilot]

better him than me.  I had a cat stalk me up to 17 yards during archery elk season.  I was using elk calf distress and i guess it got his attention.  the up side at least i am impressed with the performance of my cover scent and 3D camo.  Where was this at?  Might take the predator call and do a little stake out.  I hear cat tastes pretty good

[sirmissalot]

Bummer. Was that the buck you were after? The last cougar kill I found it didn't eat any of it. Just killed it and left, didn't even bother burying it. Opportunistic killing machines.   

[deerhunter_98520]

You guys got it all wrong....that is a blacktail tactic.....they play dead....you just let your buck get away 

[stickbuck]

That really sucks. I hope you find another one during the late season. Good luck!

[enaz]

Yea it was the buck I was after but there are others around and much bigger. He woulda been my biggest blacktail and I knew right where he lived.I couldn't get in there opeing day because the woods were closed. I was after a bigger one on some private property that I still haven't seen in the flesh. This guy was my back up plan. I shot a small buck opening day last year pretty much right where this buck was laying.   The ground around it was torn all to hell and there was some hair and blood scattered about. I was thinking it would've been quite a scene if someone was to be lucky enough to walk up on that.

[muzbuster]

Arrrrrrrgg, Get that cat man!

[predatorpro]

why arent you out there waiting for that cat? thats like a guranteed cat kill almost!

[enaz]

I've been really busy with school and helpin people with modern deer and elk. You mean sit on that clearcut for hours upon hours and hope he comes back out? He never came back to the kill. I suppose I could put some bait out and sit on it. I've never even seen a cougar let alone got a shot at one. That area has no late season for archery so I'll be spending the month of december elsewhere. The spot he's at gets pounded during modern so he might be long gone.

[moocher97]

Are you sure it wasn't a bear they tend to bury them also but if not getr done

[enaz]

I'm 90% positive it was a cougar. The area all around it was torn up and it was really maticulously buried up against a log. I can't see a bear taking down healthy buck like that in the open. There is alot of bear sign in the area but lots of other food as well.