Author Topic: CALLED Cougar Story! (Read 16357 times)

rainshadow1 · « **on:** December 31, 2007, 03:58:10 PM »

Now, don't scroll down to the end... that wouldn't be fair!

And it wouldn't be as fun!!!

Ideal conditions this morning. Heavy snow up high Friday and Saturday. Stormy and bitter cold with flurries yesterday. Clear and bright this morning. Not a wisp of cloud in the sky.

I drove into the snow just right, got above civilization just as the light got bright enough to see tracks.

I didn't see many tracks until I was already quite high up the drainage. Then I ran into several fresh deer tracks heading down the hill. I rounded the ridge and hit a lion track trotting down the road for 50 yards. Up from below, trotted down the road for awhile, then up the bank and onto the hill.

Here's the tracks in the road...

I doubled back and parked. Packed up and headed up the hill.

Very steep, very thick. Just as I got up the bank, thru the scrub and into the timber a pickup went by. I thought it might be a good thing, to make the cat think I drove away. Not likely, I was making so much noise.

I got to the top of the ridge several minutes later. There were tracks running down... then running up... the cat had been all over that ridge.

I decided that well enough was good enough and set up right in the midst of the tracks. I'm sure if it was within earshot it knew I was there, but it was too thick to continue on, and I couldnt' tell which way it ended up going.

Here's where I sat...

Here's what I saw...

Sorry for the blurry. Not bad for that particular piece of ground, trust me! It was thick!

I sat quiet for 5 minutes after setting up. You never know. If it was in the area it might forget I was there!

After that I ran a vocal for about 40 seconds. Then switched to a prey sound for 30 seconds, then ran a vocal. Planned to settle in for the long stand...

I heard it call back from about 150 yards behind me! Yes, that fast! <2 minutes!

I wasn't sure what to do, I was looking downhill at the call, I was pretty sure this cat was behind me....

It kept responding to the call. It was behind me, up the hill. DIRECTLY behind me. I shifted forward and looked behind, still not sure what to do. Should I sit it out and wait for it to walk out from under my armpit??!!?! I didn't figure I could sit still and quiet enough for that.

I was still looking behind, when I saw it, just like a shadow, slinking thru the scrub.

Here's the view behind me...

I grabbed my gun and wheeled it up and around, mounting it left handed. I thought I did it while it was making a move, but it still spotted me. It froze. I lost sight of it. I tucked into the scope and looked where it had been... sure enough, I could see its face! It had me nailed, but I had its face. About 50 yards through a tangle.

I centered the crosshairs on it's nose and shot! BANG! (The 223 sounded like such a pop gun shooting through that scrub at a lion's face!)

It wheeled back, flailed to the side, and took off to my right. I was SHOCKED that it didn't go down. It was a solid shot, good trigger pull. Good sight picture. Right on its nose. I sat there panting. All the thoughts that run through your head... I should have practiced more shooting weak handed... Did I check for limbs and saplings in the lane?... etc. etc. etc. etc.

I picked up all my gear and headed up the to point of impact. There was blood in the track.

Here's the beginning of the trail...

I followed it for about 60 yards. Good sprays of blood, but it was traveling hard. So I stopped and unpacked and sat down. Waited until it had been an hour since the shot. Then I packed up and followed again.

Here's a picture of a little rhody in the trail covered with blood...

It folowed the ridge up for probably 200 yards, then it turned back downhill and went towards where it had come from. I kept tracking, trying to go a little quieter.

I followed it all the way back down to the road. It crossed the road 100 yards uphill from the truck!

I was on the cut bank, probably 40 yards above the road when a truck came around the corner. The driver's window was open. I whistled at the guy, he stopped. I asked him if he had a dog, kinda joking. I don't know him, but he was a fellow hunter and very interested in the story. Nice guy. We walked over and stood on the downhill side of the road where it had bailed into the timber.

All of a sudden we saw it! He said, "What is that, a dog or something?!?!" I said, "No that's it!" It was about 70 yards down the hill. I pulled up and my scope was all covered with snow. It kind-of flailed and stumbled away. I got the scope clear and looked hard for a few minutes, but never saw it.

He left, with a promise to call my wife and tell her I wasn't on a shcedule anymore, 'cause you never know! I went to my truck, both to give the cat a few more minutes, and to lighten my load of gear. 10 minutes later I got back on the track.

I crawled down the slope to where it was sidehilling, and found where it had stopped below the road, far enough to escape, close enough to watch the road. Lots of blood.

I continued on, quietly. About 200 yards in, I thought I saw tawny brown on the next ridge. I looked thru the scope and convinced myself that it was a rotted stump. I followed through the draw, and came up onto the ridge.

I stopped with a Shock! 50 yards ahead the Lion was laying in the train ahead, head down, looking forward. I leaned the rifle on a tree and put a round into its right side. Good hit, heart/lung, no exit.

The cat lept high into the air, made 2 bounds forward and out of sight.

I racked another round in and cautiously approached. I heard it down below. Kind of a combination of growls and gasps. Moaning and snarling at the same time. I snuck in to where I could see it and watched it expire. Just didn't want to die!!! Tough! Unbelievable Tough!

Here's where the trail ended....

The cat is in the center of the frame.

Here's from below, the chase is over! ....

More......

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2007, 03:58:43 PM »

Turned out that the initial shot had been clear, and hit only about 1" off its mark. Not bad for weak handed wrapped around a tree!

Here's the entry wound....

It went through its right side whiskers, glanced off it's jaw, tearing a big hole, then hit the right shoulderblade straight on. Really not bad for a 60gr V-Max. If I had hit it in the tip of the nose, like I tried to do, it would have crumpled in its tracks.... and I wouldn't have had to drag it 200yards straight up a wall!!! I could have dragged it downhill for 400yards to the truck. Took me an hour to do that 200 yards with that cat!

Here's the cat at one of my rest stops....

Here's where I ended up getting back to the road...

It crossed wounded about as far in front of the truck. My stand was on top of the ridge to the right of the truck.

I shot it at 8:03AM. Got everything and the Cougar into the truck at 11:45.

And, Finally back home, my boy Alex...

6'2" nose to tail. I figure about 100lbs. Female. Definately mature, lots of battle scars, but not the huge Tom we all want on the ground... But I don't care!

YEEEEEEEHAAAWWWWWWWWW!!! Thanks Guys!

WAcoyotehunter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:04:01 PM »

What kind of call do you make the vocals with? Sorry to interupt...please type!!!!!

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:06:23 PM »

E-calling with a Wildlife Technologies call. I've got a couple calls I can do both by voice and by hand call, but hunting solo, it's e-call all the way! I don't want them coming to get ME, I want them coming to get the CALL!!!

Red Dawg · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:06:48 PM »

very nice cat, very nice story. i would love to call one in and kill one like that. what type of calls are you using.

jackelope · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:18:53 PM »

sweet rainshadow...way to go.
did you use your own calls?

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:22:41 PM »

Well, after I paid off the credit card company... yeah, it's mine!

I hope to double team on some stands sometime and get one in with hand calls. But I don't want to do that solo.

jackelope · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:24:34 PM »

Quote

Well, after I paid off the credit card company... yeah, it's mine!

dude...i meant the calls you make.

boneaddict · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:31:50 PM »

That is just plain DAMN EXCITING ans AWESOME rolled into one. Another 100 less deer eatin this year. Just today on the forum thats 200 extra deer.

Ironhead · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:48:32 PM »

Wow, incredible. awesome post and pics thanks and congrats.

Backstraps · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:53:23 PM »

Quote from: Ironhead on December 31, 2007, 04:48:32 PM

Wow, incredible. awesome post and pics thanks and congrats.

Ditto! Way to go rainshadow!

billythekidrock · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:57:58 PM »

Congrats and thanks for taking the time to write the whole thing up!

Houndhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2007, 05:02:33 PM »

i know whatcha mean bout how them things are hard to drag uphill. i had to drag ours by myself bout 100yrds, then everyone else came to help me out. i tried to put the thing on my back but couldnt walk uphill with it, so i had to drag it

congrats on the lion

Idabooner · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2007, 05:28:45 PM »

Now there's a HUNT very well executed all the way.

That makes it a TROPHY.

Congratulations. And thanks for the story.

mossback91 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2007, 06:02:18 PM »

are gonna get a rug?? or mount it?? should be tastey.

actionshooter · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2007, 06:03:38 PM »

Congrats!

Michelle_Nelson · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2007, 06:12:01 PM »

Great Cat and Great Story! Thanks for posting the story the way you did. Kinda like being on the hunt with you.

For some reason the face doesn't realy look that bad. The hole in the shoulder is repairable enough. Did the bullet actually blow a hole in the face or did it rip the skin? By that I mean is all the hide their? Just kinda splayed open?

FOsteology · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2007, 06:16:34 PM »

Very nice cougar Steve. Enjoyed reading about it, and the pictures. Are you going to do a rug or a full body mount? What a way to end your year! Big time congrats!

MuleySniper · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2007, 07:43:39 PM »

Cool story and nice cat! Whereabouts did you get it?

ICEMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2007, 08:54:44 PM »

Rhody with blood on it, and Screen name of Rainshadow, my guess is Jefferson/Clallam county, OP.

Ray · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2007, 09:38:16 PM »

Steve I like the report and photos. Well done.

sasquatch · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2007, 09:56:38 PM »

Great story and pictures, well done.

boneaddict · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2007, 11:04:45 PM »

another cool thing is....This is the guy that made my new hunting knife!

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2008, 01:35:26 AM »

I skinned it with the knife I have for sale on my website! Worked like a champ!

Not sure what to do with it for sure, rug or just tan it for now. Not gonna do a full mount, don't have the money this year. I'll try to PM you tomorrow Michelle, maybe we can work something out.

I'm on the NOP, I live in Sequim.

Thanks guys. Great day!

ICEMAN · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2008, 02:42:16 PM »

Quote from: rainshadow1 on January 01, 2008, 01:35:26 AM

I'm on the NOP, I live in Sequim.

Do I win a prize?

Wea300mag · « **Reply #25 on:** January 01, 2008, 04:12:01 PM »

That was one of the best posts I've seen, very entertaining. Congrats

littletoes · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2008, 04:21:22 PM »

Great story, like how you outsmarted that cat and showed it with pic's!

Thanks for sharing!

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 02, 2008, 11:05:17 AM »

Damage report: Lots of guys are anticipating using the 60gr V-Max in 223. When this cat ran away, I was kinda miffed at all the "thin skinned" comments I had researched. Made me wish I had my 7-30 Waters on this hunt. But after the skinning, I'm pretty durn happy with the 223 for Cougar.

The first shot plowed a furrow thru the whiskers, skipped off the jaw, and hit the shoulder blade, hard, shattering it to pieces. Fragments of this bullet made it all the way back to the opposite hip! It was off. About an inch or 1 1/4", on a tiny target (nose), so it was shooter error, but it was a lethal hit.

When I caught the cat, it was alive, but fading fast. The second hit was well placed, quartering forward, heart lung. Tiny entry, no exit, massive damage inside the boiler room.

Both shots were roughly 50 yards.

I still don't want to punch any brush with the 223, but the terminal performance was impressive.

GoldTip · « **Reply #28 on:** January 02, 2008, 11:29:40 AM »

Awesome story and cool cat, congrats on a job well done.

WACATHUNTER · « **Reply #29 on:** January 02, 2008, 07:15:21 PM »

Great story and hunt, Gotta love doing something like that alone, I think it makes that much more exciting. Congrats on a well earned cat.
WACAT

Skycruiser · « **Reply #30 on:** January 02, 2008, 07:35:50 PM »

Congratulations! And thanks for the great post.

hawkeye007 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 02, 2008, 08:59:55 PM »

nice story

LongTatLaw · « **Reply #32 on:** January 04, 2008, 06:42:43 PM »

Nice cat, nice hunt, nice pics, nice presentation!

All good.

Now call Michelle...she will take care of ya. She has been very loving with my lil black bear.

dave

bobcat · « **Reply #33 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:07:49 PM »

Good job on the cat! I can't believe I didn't see this post until now!

Loved the story.

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #34 on:** January 04, 2008, 07:23:46 PM »

Great story and post, what an adventure that would be.

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 04, 2008, 09:12:54 PM »

I did contact Michelle, she's gonna do a rug for me. Plan on seeing pictures!

saylean · « **Reply #36 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:18:54 AM »

How did i miss this story?! Great pics and story...thanks for the write up~! Im soooo jealous! Glad to hear you came out of it ok too!

Cheers~

Blacklab · « **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2008, 01:53:02 PM »

Awesome thanks for sharin

cohoho · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2008, 12:00:54 AM »

What an adventure, no doubt, an adrenaline rush like not many others.... Excellent story and details.... Fun to read, I was getting into it... Great Job!!!!!!

MADMAX · « **Reply #39 on:** January 20, 2008, 07:47:31 AM »

Well done, I did mine the same way and used a mouth reed to call her in
7' 2" female in Jefferson county

Rufous · « **Reply #40 on:** February 08, 2008, 11:41:04 PM »

I am not sure how I missed this until now but wanted to say well done. Great story and pics and a well executed hunt. I love hunting cougars. I tracked one for a few hours a couple weeks ago and tried calling it in a couple times but no success. I have taken one that a buddy called in and another one that I tracked down and shot. They are mighty fun to hunt. Rufous.

NORRISKI2 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 09, 2008, 09:17:56 AM »

Nice work! great story.

RubblesPH · « **Reply #42 on:** February 09, 2008, 09:56:18 AM »

Very impressive...well done!

big game hunter · « **Reply #43 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:52:52 AM »

that is a great lion

TheHunt · « **Reply #44 on:** February 09, 2008, 09:31:50 PM »

Fantastic... Excellent cat.

CallMaker · « **Reply #45 on:** August 05, 2008, 07:41:54 PM »

Great story and super pictures Steve. Thanks for the heads up about this post.

Ed

bucklucky · « **Reply #46 on:** August 05, 2008, 08:08:57 PM »

Another call maker?! Welcome aboard !!

billythekidrock · « **Reply #47 on:** August 05, 2008, 10:17:52 PM »

Quote from: bucklucky on August 05, 2008, 08:08:57 PM

Another call maker?! Welcome aboard !!

He's been a member for a long time, but somehow doesn't post much.

I was looking forward to some calling stories..hopefully in the near future?

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Author Topic: CALLED Cougar Story! (Read 16357 times)

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