Two States... Two Tags...

[MichaelJ]

missinMT, they unhooked the trailer and hooked a winch to the front of him and pulled the truck out...  That gave us enough room to get by the trailer but not much.    The trailer was still there the next morning but was gone the following evening.  Seems they winched it sideways back on the road then pulled it up.  It also helped that the mud froze that night...

Michelle, I understand what ur saying, but the cat was pretty big...  I carried a 140 lb dead bear for a client this summer and the cat was a LOT heavier than even that...

Michael

[Michelle_Nelson]

Thats a nice cat regardless.  You going to have a rug made out of him or a life size? 

[Wea300mag]

Great cat and great story MichaelJ.

[WAmuleyHunter]

glad you had a great time, and got to fill a couple tags.  Looks like the big boys escaped you, now you have to go back and get em next year!!!  What kind of animals did ya see, local animals, older deer shot out... was it a migration area... Congrats man on the cat.

[boneaddict]

Great story and Pics Michael.

[MichaelJ]

Garret, you'll be getting a call from me tomorrow or the next day... need to pick ur brain a little bit!  I'm pretty sure it wasn't a migratory unit but all the big deer were definately hiding... didn't see very many big tracks at all, but there was a TON of deer in the area...  Lots of deep dark timber where I think they were hiding out the whole time.  Talked to a couple local guys and even they said it was a really off year for big bucks.

Michelle, I will most likely get a rug made out of him... how much does a taxidermist typically cost for a cougar rug?

Thanks again guys, I know they aren't the biggest animals especially for out of state, but the memories will last a lifetime and I don't regret a thing!  Thanks for letting me share it with ya'll!

Michael

[sdwwaverider]

WOW!! Too fun. Now get back to work the gas bill had to cripple you. Awesome pics!

[MichaelJ]

Yep!  Gas totally sucked!  I had to pay for the Idaho trip but my parents fronted the money for the Colorado trip... it was more of a senior present than anything!

Michael

[boneaddict]

I think they typically charge by the foot on a cougar.  Whatever it is, take out a loan or something, beg the parents, anything, just have it done.  You'll never regret it.

[MichaelJ]

Ya, I already spent a chunk of change in '05 for my bear rug, and they charged by the foot aswell.  It'll get done one way or the other!  Also, does anybody have any idea who does the beetle cleaning for european mounts?

Michael

[Michelle_Nelson]

Michael,

Most taxidermists charge by the L/F (Linier Foot) basicly from nose to base of tail.  The tail length does not count!  I charge $130 per L/F.  That includes your choice of 2 colors of felt and open mouth!  I also sew all my rugs!  I do not glue the outer edges and hope it will hold.

The price of Cougar Rugs varies but in washington I have seen it anywhere from $115 per foot - $145 per foot.  Peyser's price list says he charges a flat rate of $875 for a cougar rug.  Divide $875 by the length of your cat( do not include the tails length) and that will tell you what he charges per foot.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Forgot to mention that most taxidermists require a 50% before they will start working on your animal!

[crabcreekhunter]

Congrats on the successful trip, I love that Idaho country that you were in.  Ive seen some absolute toads come out of that unit, but it gets hit pretty hard and the guys that I know hunt it wear a pair of boots out in a season it's pretty incredible what they go through.  Looks like money well spent and hope the hang over from the trip has worn off by now!  

[MichaelJ]

Thanks michelle!  We'll get it done someway!

Zane, the only bad morning was the last... haha it was a great trip, but I would've logged a lot more miles had I been hunting myself.  Kind of hard hunting with two 30 year olds that aren't in shape!  Even with 65 lbs of meat and hide on my back and them with nothing I totally dominated them... lol it was awesome!

Michael

[boneaddict]

EASY little fella.  Don't be picking on the 30 year olds.