My son shot a cougar today, I’m looking for some advice

[Moe the Sleaze]

My son had the good fortune to kill a cougar today.  We are seeking some advice.
The Cougar has been gutted and is hanging on a gamepole at our hunting camp. We are in the NE corner, and temperatures are well below freezing. Should we be concerned with the carcass freezing? We are aware of the wdfw reporting and hide-sealing requirements, so he is going to call the hotline tomorrow.
We hope to have a rug made, and he would also like to keep the meat. One of our questions is whether we can manage the skinning ourselves, or would we be better off leaving that to a professional? He has contacted one taxi, who told him he would skin it if he did not want the meat, but that if he wanted the meat he should skin it himself.
So we are not sure how to proceed. How quickly do we need to get this animal processed, and does anyone have any recommendations for a taxi to help us?

[Iveexcaped3]

If you decide to skin it yourself then id just make sure to leave enough “meat” on the hide. The taxi can always scrape that off. Leave the skull feet and tail for him to handle. Just make sure to cut down the fur to reduce the amount of fur you pull out.

[Cougartail]

Don't skin it frozen. It is far to difficult.

[Goosegos]

Take your time.  Good knives leave paws and claws on it.    Skull too. It can warm a bit to pull it easier.

[jrebel]

A quick google search on proper skinning for a rug and the rest is easy.   If you’ve ever skinned a bear for a rug, I’d have to believe it is the same. 

Pretty awesome he got a cat….pictures would be great. 

[MADMAX]

Nice job
They’re delicious

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8zEfYbsrr0

[Moe the Sleaze]

A couple pics

[pashok23]

Wow, thats awesome, congrats on a nice cat 

[HighlandLofts]

It's always nice when someone eliminates a large predator.
When it comes to feline most you can have my portion.
Same with canine meat. I,m good there too.

[jdb]

Your son has excellent taste in rifles

[boneaddict]

Congratulations! Far more exciting than a little whitetail buck hanging from the pole

[hunter399]

Heck ya👍
Deer hunting should improve next year in your spot.👍

[bmc02]

awesome! from what I've seen there is no shortage of cougar in NE wa! I'm thinking of giving up deer and just focusing on cougar...

when you find a taxi let us know where you take it. I'm not sure best way to handle a cougar either. at this point I'd just be happy with killing one, so everything after is just a bonus...

[Boss .300 winmag]

Nicely done, I’d like to read the story.

[fishngamereaper]

Did you call down to Advantage Taxi near Devenport. Easy guys to work with.

Cool cat.