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

[bornhunter]

When I got my cat two years ago I just opened the belly enough to get the guts out. Next day to wdfw then straight to the taxi. I didnt want the meat so my taxi did the skinning and had a waiting list of guys who wanted the meat.

[pianoman9701]

Nice cat!

[C-Money]

Congratulations!!

[bearhunter99]

Congrats!  As others have said I would leave the paws, tail and head attached to the hide before you take it to the taxidermist.  The local taxi was great when we got ours and he skinned it and let us know when he was finished so we could come back and grab the carcass for butchering.  He said he would rather skin it for us to make sure the cuts were in the right place and to protect against holes in the hide.

Opinions vary but as far as I am concerned cougar meat is the best wild game meat I have ever had.

[powderbounder]

Great job! Very nice cat.

[Katmai Guy]

Very Cool! Congrats!

[Rigby416]

Congrats on bagging a nice cat.  I CONCUR the meat is some of the best you will ever eat.  I'm jealous!

[bearpaw]

WDFW will want to remove a tooth and they will need to attach a seal to the hide. The sooner you get the cat skinned the better, then you can let the carcass freeze. Either drop the cat off at a taxidermist before it gets frozen so they can skin it or skin it yourself.

If you put a stick in the mouth to hold the mouth open that will make getting a tooth easier too. Remember: If the head freezes WDFW cannot even access the tooth or get it out. So either skin the cat and then keep the hide (with head, tail. and paws attached) from freezing or put the whole animal in your truck or tent to try and keep it from freezing until WDFW can remove a tooth and seal the hide.

If you are near Colville you could probably get Dark Timber Taxidermy to skin it for you or you could probably call Stevens County Sherriff dispatch and request an on duty wildlife officer to seal the cat before it freezes. I would think you could call Sherriff dispatch in any county and request an on duty wildlife officer to meet and seal your cat before it freezes. Another option is driving to Region 1 wildlife headquarters in Spokane, you can google the address.

[Threewolves]

First find another taxidermist. You want the meat. One of the preferred meats of the mountain men.
Do it like this

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[MADMAX]

 

[washingtonmuley]

Contact another Taxidermist asap.

[JakeLand]

Best cat taxidermist is Phil Soucy in Libby Montana period . If you want a cat done right take it to him it’s worth the time and effort

[jamesjett]

Congrats to your son!!  It will make a beautiful mount!