Calling cougar??

[syoungs]

Never thought about trying it, then going through reviews of a new e caller I bought, read one of a guy calling one in. I figure calling one would be my best chance at actually tagging one someday.

Anyone actually calling em? Any tips to get started? I'd be going at it 100℅ blind, only seen 2 cougar in my life, both by blue wood, 10-12 years ago.

[bowhunterforever]

Tag

[MADMAX]

It works,
C-3 predator reed from Burnham bros
Female 3.5 years 7 ft 2 inches

[crazywednesday]

A few years back I went to a seminar put on by Steve. It was fantastic. He has called in lots of cougar. The main thing he said, dont bother cold calling. Drive the roads after fresh snow to cut tracks, or get a hot tip on a recent sighting. Good Luck.

http://www.rain-shadow.com/cougar_calling_products.htm

Justin

[syoungs]

Thanks for the tip, I have an idea of where a couple hang out in the blues. I'll probably wait till snow is on the ground and go see what I can work up

[jasnt]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,185537.0.html

[boneaddict]

Bare in mind, you become the hunted.   I watched one fail an attempt on a deer.   I was trying to find him again for photography purposes.   I called and called using one of Bearmanrics calls.   Next thing I know I had a cougar at about 6 feet ready to pounce.   No idea how they got there.   Silent killer!


also not sure how many I have called in and never have seen, only to find their tracks upon exiting the scene.

[Rainier10]

Thanks for the tip, I have an idea of where a couple hang out in the blues. I'll probably wait till snow is on the ground and go see what I can work up

Don't shoot the one standing behind the no trespassing sign.  "It's a trap!"

[bearmanric]

Called this big Tom right in last year during my spring bear hunt. He came in under 20 yards. I had to stand up said hey what  you doing. He stood up behind a stup his ears back was cool. have called 8 in no shots. Rick

[JJB11B]

Where do you look to see if the quota has been met?

[JJB11B]

I have a couple days off coming soon, figure I might as well try

[Timberstalker]

Try this:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar/

[Timberstalker]

Note, that a bunch of those units are gonna close after Jan. 1.
Specifically a lot of the 100 series units.

[jasnt]

Note, that a bunch of those units are gonna close after Jan. 1.
Specifically a lot of the 100 series units.

😢

[JJB11B]

Note, that a bunch of those units are gonna close after Jan. 1.
Specifically a lot of the 100 series units.

GMU 101 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 7-9 Open
 
GMU 105 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 2 Open
 
GMUs 108, 111 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMU 113 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMU 117 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 6-8 Open
 
GMU 121 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 124, 127, 130 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 7-9 Open
 
GMUs 133, 136, 139, 142, 248, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278, 284, 290, 330, 334, 371, 372, 373, 379, 381 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 None Open
 
GMUs 145, 166, 175, 178 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3-4 Open
 
GMUs 149, 154, 162, 163 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4-5 Open
 
GMUs 169, 172, 181, 186 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3 Open
 
GMU 203 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5 Open
 
GMU 204 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 6-8 Open
 
GMUs 209, 215 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4 Open
 
GMUs 218, 231 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMU 224 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 2 Open
 
GMUs 233, 239 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4 Open
 
GMUs 242, 243 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 244, 246, 247 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 245, 250 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 249, 251 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 328, 329, 335 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 6-7 Open
 
GMUs 336, 340, 342, 346 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 352, 356, 360, 364, 368 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 382, 388 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3-4 Open
 
GMU 407 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 None Open
 
GMUs 418, 426, 437 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 11-15 Open
 
GMUs 448, 450 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 10-13 Open
 
GMU 454 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 None Open
 
GMU 460 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMUs 466, 485a, 490 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3 Open
 
GMUs 501, 504, 506, 530 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 8-10 Open
 
GMUs 503, 505, 520, 550 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 6-8 Open
 
GMUs 510, 513 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3-4 Open
 
GMU 516 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4 Open
 
GMUs 524, 554, 556 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3 Open
 
GMU 560 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-6 Open
 
GMU 564 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 1 Open
 
GMU 568 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 2 Open
 
GMU 572 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3 Open
 
GMUs 574, 578 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4 Open
 
GMUs 601, 602, 603, 612 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5-7 Open
 
GMUs 607, 615 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4 Open
 
GMUs 618, 636, 638 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 4-5 Open
 
GMUs 621, 624, 627, 633 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 None Open
 
GMUs 642, 648, 651 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 6-8 Open
 
GMUs 652, 666 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 None Open
 
GMUs 653, 654 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 5 Open
 
GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681, 684, 699 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 9-12 Open
 
GMU 667 Jan. 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017 3-4 Open

[JJB11B]

am I stupid? it looks like everything is still open

[Woodchuck]

That will likely be corrected today.

[JJB11B]

guess I'll forego the cat tag and go look for yotes

[Rainier10]

am I stupid? it looks like everything is still open

Everything is still open until end of day December 31st.  As of January 1st a bunch of units will be closing because they have met their quota.  Check the website again January 1st and you will not see open next to all of those GMU's.

[renrutbocaj]

Yeah, I received this email yesterday stating that most of these will be closed starting January 1st. I have seen 2 Cougar kills, walked into a Cougar and have heard about a few more in our area. I have a hard time believing WDFW's population estimates. 121 should stay open. 

 Dear Cougar Hunter:

Starting January 1, 2017, Game Management Units (GMUs) within cougar hunt areas that have reached or exceeded harvest guidelines will be closed for hunting through the remainder of the season. Those areas still open will be monitored weekly through April 30. The closed GMUs include:

    Region 1: 105, 108, 111, 117, 121, 145, 149, 154, 157, 162, 163, 166, 175, 178,
    Region 2: No GMU closures
    Region 3: 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
    Region 4: No GMU closures
    Region 5: 574, 578
    Region 6: 667

Additional GMUs may close before the cougar late season ends on April 30 if these areas meet or exceed the harvest guideline. Hunters can check WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar/ or call the cougar hunting hotline at 1-866-364-4868 to learn which areas of the state remain open.

[JJB11B]

ridiculous

[Timberstalker]

am I stupid?

Yes.  LMAO

[JJB11B]

am I stupid?

Yes.  LMAO

way to go after that low hanging fruit!

[Timberstalker]

Here is a recent Email from WDFW:


Dear Cougar Hunter:
Starting January 1, 2017, Game Management Units (GMUs) within cougar hunt areas that have reached or exceeded harvest guidelines will be closed for hunting through the remainder of the season. Those areas still open will be monitored weekly through April 30. The closed GMUs include:
•   Region 1: 105, 108, 111, 117, 121, 145, 149, 154, 157, 162, 163, 166, 175, 178,
•   Region 2: No GMU closures
•   Region 3: 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
•   Region 4: No GMU closures
•   Region 5: 574, 578
•   Region 6: 667
Additional GMUs may close before the cougar late season ends on April 30 if these areas meet or exceed the harvest guideline. Hunters can check WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/cougar/ or call the cougar hunting hotline at 1-866-364-4868 to learn which areas of the state remain open.
It is the responsibility of each cougar hunter to verify if the late cougar hunting season is open or closed in the GMUs with a harvest guideline. The website and hotline will be updated weekly beginning January 1. Check area openings and closures before setting out on your hunting trip to ensure you are in compliance with current harvest guideline laws.
All cougars killed by licensed hunters during early and late cougar hunting seasons, as well as those seasons authorized under WAC 232-12-243, shall be counted toward the harvest guideline.
As a reminder, a 2017 cougar license is required to hunt cougar in April 2017. Those who wish to hunt cougar during the month of April will need to purchase a 2017 license and tag.
If you harvest a cougar, you must report the kill over the cougar hotline within 72 hours of harvest. Kills must be sealed by WDFW within five days (unfrozen) of harvest. Contact a WDFW office to schedule a sealing.
Sincerely,
Wildlife Program
WDFW

[jasnt]

Worst part is their harvest guidelines come from a study done at wsu which recommended 12% of the population harvested to keep below carry capacity. If you go off wdfw's estimated population then most areas quotas are 4% of estimated pop.

[Ridgeratt]

Worst part is their harvest guidelines come from a study done at wsu which recommended 12% of the population harvested to keep below carry capacity. If you go off wdfw's estimated population then most areas quotas are 4% of estimated pop.

Crazy part is that when you could run hounds the quota for 105 was 20 total with no more 7 females . I think that's what I remember. Now the quota is 2 of any combination. Those numbers  (20) were reached every year.

So how can there be less now nobody is pestering them.

[boneaddict]

They are managing predators like they always do. 

[Ridgeratt]

They are managing predators like they always do.

Would that be the "Hey there went the horse"  Think we should close the gate?

[boneaddict]

Seems to be....we don't see them all the time so we obviously need more.

Or then there is the hawk mentality.......
Well I don't even know what drives that?

[rainshadow1]

I always thought the NE/SE closures were kinda questionable.... Now I own property in NE and I hunt deer every year in SE... now I KNOW the early closures there are completely lame brained!!! Plain and simple. No reason whatsoever to close off these regions for Lions. There are WAY more there than anywhere else in the state. It's just an ongoing attempt to manage hunters out of the loop. Status quo for WDFW.

[boneaddict]

Agreed 100%

[Timberstalker]

Where's my retro refund for a shortened season???

[JJB11B]

cougars are going to start getting backwoods justice wolf style if the population gets any bigger I expect

[Woodchuck]

cougars are going to start getting backwoods justice wolf style if the population gets any bigger I expect

A good hickory shampoo. 

[JJB11B]

cougars are going to start getting backwoods justice wolf style if the population gets any bigger I expect

A good hickory shampoo. 

whatever gets the job done....I'm not advocating anything illegal but this is getting ridiculous. somethings got to give

[Elkslayer]

I'll be out tomorrow trying to call this guy in.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[CAMPMEAT]

Cougar season is open year 'round here in Arizona. I've seen 2 so far in 4 months, one being yesterday 1/2 mile from my house, crossing the road right next to the freeway.