663 Capitol peak info on cougars and other units

[stew pidasso]

None

[stew pidasso]

Well I gave it another shot today. Hit snow at 2800', by 3200' I was in 2 1/2 feet. Forgot how difficult walking in it is. Didn't take my girls, just a solo trip. Bumped Elk twice. Lots of bobcat sign. No cougar. Feel like I walked 40 miles. Why does one foot always sink in further than the other?

[Skyvalhunter]

We're you in snowshoes?

[stew pidasso]

No

[stew pidasso]

Well, I've tried the last 3 weeks. Snow level was about 800' higher than a month ago. Have not seen a track yet. This weekend looks promising as the snow level looks like it should drop down to 2000' which is right where the Elk an deer winter in my area. So I'm hoping to make a wide loop an catch one moving one way or the other.

Can anyone show a picture of a tree that they feel like a cougar scratched. I found one yesterday that looks like a scratching post. Just wondering it that may mean there might be a den nearby? Or ...

Only a matter of time.

[stew pidasso]

Hit it hard again yesterday, snow level so close to where I want it to be. Tried out a new area and still not one track. It was nice to see some new country. Wish there would have been more time for something to move around on the fresh snow beings it had started about 3 hours before I got there. This weekend is looking really promising. Going to go big.

[Scruffy]

Good Luck, been following your story.  I recently bought an e-caller and the cougar calls from Rain-Shadow.  Only had one opportunity to get out but it was a cold call, no snow, and no success.  Trying to snow today but not enough to even cover the grass yet, but hoping.....

[rainshadow1]

Well, I've tried the last 3 weeks. Snow level was about 800' higher than a month ago. Have not seen a track yet. This weekend looks promising as the snow level looks like it should drop down to 2000' which is right where the Elk an deer winter in my area. So I'm hoping to make a wide loop an catch one moving one way or the other.

Can anyone show a picture of a tree that they feel like a cougar scratched. I found one yesterday that looks like a scratching post. Just wondering it that may mean there might be a den nearby? Or ...

Only a matter of time.

Usually territorial markings, not a den. Dens are temporary and they keep them hidden as much as possible. Not like the old African Man-eater stories!

[stew pidasso]

Tracks, finally. Hit them just a quarter mile in to the hike as well. Looked to me like about a 60 pounder give or take. It's center to center of paw was about 15". I believe it was about 18 hrs in front of me is my best guess. Tracked it 2 miles before it dropped below snow line. Picked it back up down the ridge around 400 yards further but dropped back down out of the snow and lost it for good. Dang it. Gave me a lot of information on movements and speed though. Here's my thoughts on speed. Slow, never changed pace. Just a real slow walk. Not sure how long it would stand and sniff trees or bushes or deer and elk tracks. Movements.... No rhyme or reason. Veer left some, veer back right. I was really watching the topo to see if I could anticipate it's movements but each time I was wrong. Except when it hit the canyon I lost it in. I didn't think it would drop straight in. Figured it would stay on the rim to which it did until losing it completely. I still think it kept running the ridge down just below the snow line but who knows. I ran the ridge completely out hoping it would come back up. Gives me hope that I can pick it back up somewhere tomorrow. Nice to finally know one is in the area.

[coachteeter]

Thanks for sharing, Stew. Good luck tomorrow!

[Mudman]

Up there today.  Good amount of snow.  Many people of course.  Logging in high gear....  Deer like fresh logging, cats like deer...

[stew pidasso]

Snow level receded since Fri. Had to go higher. My girls and I went 7 miles today. Right at the trailhead was that same cougar I think. Couldn't find where he had came in or out with all the dog traffic from other people. Only saw yote, deer an Elk  tracks on the walk though. Need another snow down lower. After a mile we were in 3'. Some *censored* had ripped the gate down with his truck and went 4 wheeling. We wouldn't have made it very far without his tracks to walk in though. Oh and I got a violation from fish an game for no snow park pass.

[coachteeter]

Sorry about the no snow park pass violation. That makes for a frustrating end to the day. Sounds like you may be onto a cat after the next fresh snow though.

[stew pidasso]

Tried a different road and area yesterday, was just about where I wanted to be and got myself burried trying to turn around. Luckily a guy showed up and drug me around a few times. The snow was so wet and heavy and deep I decided to drop down to a lower elevation. Post holed my way for the entire hunt. Brutal. No cougar tracks. Lots of deer an Elk sign with visuals of 2 does and one cow I cought bedded.
I did decide on an area in bend for my trip with my girls though. Leaving next Saturday. It came down to that or around e-berg. I got some hot tips outside of bend though. Wish me luck.

[stew pidasso]