Here Kitty, Kitty

[LOVEMYLABXS]

Decided to take my 50 Hawkins for a walk yesterday but only saw 1 whitetail butt going in the wrong direction from me, not sure if it was even a buck or doe just the white flag going away  .

I had been out 4 hours or so and had worked my way almost back to my truck. Found a nice looking draw to sit and watch/rest for a bit when I heard a twig snap then silence. With the wind swirling I figured I had busted another deer but then I see movement thru the brush and trees and an opening ahead of it maybe 60 yrds in front of me so I get ready. As it hits the opening I can see it ain't no deer but a Cougar. She turns in sort of my direction but I'm having trouble really getting a look at her but she is headed my way on a trail so I lay the Hawkins in my lap and get out my trusty Kodak. When she gets to about 10 yrds I fire the Kodak The click was all it took she looked for a second then turned and was gone. Guess it's a thing it had image stabaltion on it cause I know my heart rate when right thru the roof but the pixs turn out Ok and it was a pretty darn good feeling to get the shot of a cool big cat 

[LOVEMYLABXS]

Played with photoshop to clean up the first shot but still like the origanal the best cause that's what I got at the time

[Jonathan_S]

I was hoping for a more "violent ending" 

Nice cat and very cool that you got a picture 

[Timberstalker]

Can I ask why you didn't shoot the Cat?

[LOVEMYLABXS]

No TAG plain and simple 

[Timberstalker]

No TAG plain and simple 

Fair enough.  I was curious.  Great encounter none the less.  Thanks for posting.

[LOVEMYLABXS]

Not a problem Timber. I know a lot of folks may think I should have but I just can't shoot something that COOL then leave it to rot. Having the hide done would have been neat but way to costly for me. I have eaten cat before (kind of like pork) but then again in my own mind I still couldn't bring myself to be illegal and always looking over my shoulder if I had.

Mike

[Timberstalker]

Not a problem Timber. I know a lot of folks may think I should have but I just can't shoot something that COOL then leave it to rot. Having the hide done would have been neat but way to costly for me. I have eaten cat before (kind of like pork) but then again in my own mind I still couldn't bring myself to be illegal and always looking over my shoulder if I had.

Mike

An 100% ethical decision in my mind.  SSS comes to mind, but that isn't the right choice.

[boneaddict]

It fun to get them on film, and to watch their reaction as well.   Very cool.

[WAcoyotehunter]

No sense in shooting a small cat anyway.  Save your money for a trophy and get her picture.  Nice work out there!

[BOOM!!]

Cool encounter! nice picture, that doesn't happen very often if ever.

[kerrdog]

I think it's awesome that you were able to get the shot.  I woulda been grabbing my handgun.

You must be brave.

[teanawayslayer]

Thanks for sharing.  Love to see the cats more dead than alive. None the less still a cool experience

[nw_bowhunter]

cool pic...I bet that was pretty exciting in the moment.

[bowhunterforever]

Thanks for sharing.  Love to see the cats more dead than alive. None the less still a cool experience

[sebek556]

No TAG plain and simple 

Well then you shot it with the right thing  but I bet you were wishing you'd bought that tag though...

[Hangfire]

I really like your answer "no Tag plain and simple". I wish every one had that ethic in all aspects of life. Some thing you can be proud of. Nice pictures.

[HighlandLofts]

That was luck to of been at the right spot at the right time and have everything work out for your once in a life time experience. I liked your remark about not shooting the cougar. Where were you hunting at the time? I've only seen two of them in thirteen years and that was while I was driving the pick-up.