Tracking Cats

[huntnphool]

Is there someone you all would recommend for a cat hunt? It doesn't have to be Washington, I am willing to go to Idaho, Montana etc. but don't just want to take pics, although that would be part of it.

[boneaddict]

I don't knwo of anyone that runs them without hounds for a living.  I was thinking about trying it this winter with my long legged Bassett, but I doubt it will ever happen.  If you keep the animal on a leash I guess its legal.  I haven't confimed that either.  Mostly I was looking forward to going to the Valley to nail one, but as you all know, the WDFW screwed that up for me.  Anyhow, your best bet to tree a cat fast is off of a kill.  If their belly is full they don't tend to run far.  Its really a tough sport.  You have to kjeep track of their trail and they will do things to throw you off.  I can't tell you how many times they climbed the hill and sat up there and watched me come up after them, only to take off again.  I'm pretty sure their lungs weren't hurting as much as mine.  They love to double back, circle and play all the games like fox and the hound.  Its really best with two folks.  One to keep his eyes on the track and one to keep his eyes up ahead.  They are curious enough, you can probably catch one this way watching you. 

[Houndhunter]

well you got me interested in this, next time i come across some fresh tracks im guna try and chase after it and see what happens

[WACATHUNTER]

I have sone it quite a few times and have been unsuccessful all times.  Caught a glimpse at one, and damn near killed ourselves hiking in 2 feet of snow.  Be prepared to hike up and down the same hill multiple times, and like Bone said make sure the track is going the right direction, they'll walk in thier own tracks, and confuse the hell out of you.  Most of the people that I have heard killing them on foot did it near a kill like bone said, and most were not tree'd.  Good luck share your stories, if anyone wants to try it near WEnatchee PM me I would love to go and have sleds.
WACAT

[wannahunt]

You guys got my curiosity. Had never thought about tryng this. Sounds like it would be great fun. Any suggestions on good locations to give it a try?

[boneaddict]

Where there is deer or elk there will be cats.  Make sure you don't go into any of the elk closure areas.  They frown on that.

[boneaddict]

also beware of the 5 countes that closed for foot hunting, and are only open for hounds.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I started a bobcat track last year and walked, and walked, and walked on a rough, rocky hillside.  I was stopping and calling every 1/2 mile or so.  After about 5 miles of up and down on this hill side (who would have known such a little animal could walk so far over night??) I snuck into a boulder slide and he squirted out about 10 yards from me at about 50 mph... no chance for a shot.
It was worth it, but i wouldn't do it again. 
I also tried some lion tracks and walked my legs off w/out any luck.  It was interesting to see what they were up to, i found two scratches in the dirt and learned a little about thier habits.
A guy in Bridgeport WA walks out lion tracks and gets them pretty regularly. Not sure what his trick is.   

[boneaddict]

I just spent the better part of 4 hours on a cats ass, and the only lungs that were hurting were mine.  I found the kill, eagles flew up, then took off after his track, with fresh snow from yesterday, it was nice.  He slowed me down in the rocks up and down, and I never spotted him.  I had my grnadpas 32 special in my hand for a fast shot on the run.  It was warming up enough it was getting dangerous in the wet snow on the rocks.  I gave up! Sure alot of guys in the woods for a Friday. 

[rainshadow1]

wannahunt, you pretty much need snow, unless you're a Kalahari bushman tracker or something. Need to move fast and quiet and stay on the trail, so for 99.9% of even the most skilled hunters, that means snow.

Like WAcoyote said, and bobcats are theorized to move about 10% as much as a lion. Plan to hike like a goat, non-stop, for MILES!

And, like bone said, just get above (in elevation) the migrating deer and elk, and you'll find lion tracks.

[coonhound]

I seen a ton of fresh cat tracks during the late archery hunt in Eastern Lewis county this year.  Now that I'm tagged out with the bow, I think I will head back up with the 270 and see if I can make it happen.

Coon

[wannahunt]

Thanks for the info rainshadow. I'm gonna have to give this a try. I haven't spent much time in the woods after the rifle elk season. Always headed to the marshes to find ducks this time of year so this will new for me. can't wait.

[SptnStlk]

I couldn't agree more with Bone. Here's one set of three tracks we crossed during late season on the west side this year. My buddy shot a cow and I missed a big mature bull shortly after crossing these tracks. Which I will be haunted by all off season long. But that's a story for a whole other thread.

[deerslyr]

My friend and I went up into the snow yesterday cuttin tracks. We saw 1 set of longtail, 2 sets of bobcat, and a bunch coyote. We didnt bother going ofter the longtail because the tracks were to old. but we went after the bob-dogs and you would not believe how far these suckers went!! we finally gave up after them taking us into thick reprod. we will be back up there on wed. Mybe I can catch em them. Have any of you heard of treeing bob-dogs before, I havnt heard of it but wouldnt see why not

[WACATHUNTER]

I know this is different than what some others have posted, but I have heard that Bobs will go substantially farther than a lion, when pressured.  I have never chased a bob track, because of what I have heard, but have and will be chasing some lions when I get a chance.
Good luck and keep us posted.
WACAT