Cougar Tips

[justyhntr]

No , he came in to the scent , the trail was laid cross wind and he came in up wind .

[fair-chase]

Very interesting. Never put much thought into scents or lures since they tend not to approach stands in a manner that would indicate wind being a factor. May just have experiment with it a bit.

[jasnt]

Could be the streangth of the scent played a factor as all predators use scent to some degrea but could also be that the cougar was just traveling that trail.  Could be the cat has learned that deer in the breeding cycle are more vulnerable     

Good observation! Couldn't hurt your stand any

[KFhunter]

I like to get sounds off youtube vids and upload them to the foxpro.

This vid just showed up on my FB.  I get a kick out of using sounds from video's that anti's would share
easy to find wolf sounds on wolf hugger web sites for instance. 

[rainshadow1]

They use their nose. The trainers where I record Cougars were amazed that I didn't play the wind more than I do. Their nose is far better than ours, they're just not wired to use it as a first line of defense/offense like a Coyote is. They rely on their eyes and ears... but they can and do use their nose, without question.

[Tree Killer]

A friend and I used fawn in distress calls with his FoxPro 2 winters ago.  I'd been shed hunting in mid February and found numerous lion tracks in mud and snow, and eventually a fresh kill. We went in at mid morning and set up in the area.  He had a view below and up the ridge, and I had a view below and down the ridge.  We were 25-30 yards apart and I had a doug fir against my back with thick brush behind me.

After about 40 minutes I noticed something brown move down the ridge, and at first glance I thought it was a deer since doe's often respond to fawn in distress calls. After maybe 10 seconds of watching I saw the long tail flick, and immediately knew it was a lion. I only had to move my rifle a few inches to have it lined up and the scope to my eye.  Gary started the call again and the lion moved about 5 yards and cleared the brush giving me a shot.  He was a 5 yr old 170 # tom.  The heaviest pack I hauled out of the woods!

[Tree Killer]

I find a lot of lion kills down here near Mt Hood. This buck was laying on the edge of a gravel road a few years ago with drag marks in the dust.



Came back the next morning, the carcass was 30 yards down the hill in the timber and over half the deer was eaten.



By the next morning, the carcass had been moved another 200 ft and all but the head, lower legs, hide, and a chunk of spine had been consumed.

[jasnt]

Are you sure that was a lion kill?  All the cougar kills I've found have been atleast partially buried in pine needles and grass. 

[Jason]

Tree Killer that's a fine feline you have there my friend  Congrats!!

I have avoided giving any advice or tips in this thread, only because it pains me to much think about it. But my advice for the OP and everyone who hunts these elusive felines of the forest is, Don't Miss!! 

[Tree Killer]

Are you sure that was a lion kill?  All the cougar kills I've found have been atleast partially buried in pine needles and grass.

Absolutely, it's tracks were in the road and I'm pretty sure I spooked it off the buck as I drove up. The next day after it had eaten the first half , the carcass had debris raked over it. Hard to see it the pic.

[Tree Killer]

I find far more bucks killed by lions then I do doe's and fawns. 





This buck had been fed on a couple times and left for birds and other scavengers.  The lions usually don't cover the carcass if they don't intend on coming back. 



Found this little forked horn in some thick brush one morning during the rut.



Snuck in the next morning from downwind hoping to kill him, but it was too thick and I only managed to bump the cat off the carcass.  It had been moved about 200 ft, but I found bits and pieces...plus lots of runny poo.







Came back the next morning and the lion had packed the rest of the deer off or eaten it, the only piece I found was a chunk of spine.  It wreaked from the big tom spraying the whole area down. 

[Tree Killer]

Tree Killer that's a fine feline you have there my friend  Congrats!!

Thanks Jason!  Long time no hear buddy.

[jasnt]

Are you sure that was a lion kill?  All the cougar kills I've found have been atleast partially buried in pine needles and grass.

Absolutely, it's tracks were in the road and I'm pretty sure I spooked it off the buck as I drove up. The next day after it had eaten the first half , the carcass had debris raked over it. Hard to see it the pic.

that explains it. Thanks for sharing

[rainshadow1]

Hungry Lions! That's some fast eating!

Tree killer, can I use your story/pics on my website? That's a great cat!

[jasnt]

Tree Killer that's a fine feline you have there my friend  Congrats!!

I have avoided giving any advice or tips in this thread, only because it pains me to much think about it. But my advice for the OP and everyone who hunts these elusive felines of the forest is, Don't Miss!! 

you do realize people are still going to educate cougar. Maybe a tip or two would help people be successful and not educate lions.  I'm no pro by any means but atleast in my areas I'd rather people where out taking cougar. We have way too many predators period!  That's why I'm happy to share the small amount of knowlage I have gained. I'd really love for everyone to kill there cat in 117 or 113! Jmo