What's the law??

[Suncrest Sniper]

Ok my wife and I have lived here for just over a year now (moved from West Central MN) and we both enjoy hiking in the mountains and have expanded our walks into more remote areas as we get in better shape. As always I have either my 9mm with and I have on occasion packed my .308 just to get used to the weight. The guns are of course for protection from either the 2 legged trouble maker or the rouge cat, coyote. The question is if we happened to be in a situation where say a cat decides to shadow us or even worse, what does the law say as far as us protecting ourselves and shooting the said cat? Of course the plan would be to try and scare it off first with a few well placed shots in it's general direction, but if that doesn't do it and I have to shoot it do you then need to report the attack the the local Game Warden or do you just dust off and chalk it up to experience?

SS

[Hunterman]

If you kill a cat (except house cats), bear, or anything in self defence, you must report it to the local authority..This is so they can nail your butt to the wall...If you are so far back into the hills, that a cat wants to eat you,,I would suggest the S.S.S. method..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Kain]

You always have the right to protect yourself and if it is truly justified you should report it.  There will be an investigation to see if your story holds water and if the cat was starved, diseased or just on the hunt. 

I wonder how many people have had to shoot aggressive animals that didnt report it.  The predator lover talk all the time about how attacks are rare.  That might be because a lot of attacks are stopped before they even happen and lots dont get reported.  

[singleshot12]

 

[carpsniperg2]

I agree with Kain always protect yourself. But you better have a dang solid case. If you plan on shooting anything you are not supposed to. If you see a cat following you and you just shoot it, then you are probably going to be nailed. You have to prove that you life was on the line. Just seeing one around you, does not give cause to shoot it. Now if its stalking you and you turn around. With the cat about ready to leap "like 10 yards away". Then you are probably going to be alright. But it all depends on what you can prove. Someone will come and look at all the sign. Back tracking the tracks to see if you were followed and stalked.

[Suncrest Sniper]

So basically have a witness to the said attack or visible wounds. I would also guess a very close range shot would also help.Of course I would always do my best to scare the attacker off but one never knows. Thanks for the replies guys, I hope it never happens to anyone but I just felt I needed to know.

SS

[Skyvalhunter]

SSS

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah, its kinda one of those things. It just depends on the person investigating. They can have a big out come on the case. kinda like a lot of the court cases. Its up to the judge to decide what is "legit self defense". I assure you if you shoot one at like 100 yards away you will get you butt kicked Self defense 90% or better of the time is very very close range.

[Ridgeratt]

So basically have a witness to the said attack or visible wounds. I would also guess a very close range shot would also help.

My best guess is the hole should be in the center chest as opposed to a going away shot.  

[bobcat]

I don't see how they can prove one way or the other whether someone is justified in shooting a cat in self defense, just by looking at tracks. If there is no snow, there may not be any tracks to see anyway. It's probably more how good your story sounds than anything else. Of course you wouldn't want a bullet entrance and exit that would indicate it was moving away and not towards you. But other than that I really don't see how they could prove that it was not justified self defense. Honestly, if it happened to me I would strongly consider not saying a word about it to anybody. I don't really see why the WDFW needs to know about it.

[carpsniperg2]

The tracks are just part of it, if they can find them. They cant prove anything just by looking at the tracks. But when you are in snow and can prove the cat had been doggin you for a few hundred yards. It helps the case

[Wazukie]

The spring turkey hunt, Glenwood WA, a couple were out hunting. The male heard a sound coming from behind, turns and see's a cat, he in turn shoots said cat, the hole was about the size of a silver dollar.  They called the WDFG and Klickitat County Sheriff and told their story. Justifiable self-defense.  This happened this last spring near the Mill Pond for those familiar with the area.

[Suncrest Sniper]

So it breaks down to this:

1) Have a witness to the said attack

2) If you do have to implement a "kill" shot, Make sure it's at close range.

3) Make sure the said "Kill" shot is in the face or chest area and NOT the back or a "going away" shot

4) If snow is present let the said "Coug" stalk you for a couple of hundred yards to help prove it was stalking you.

5) Most important, make every possible attempt to scare the cat away!!


The up in the air question then at this time is to report said attack or just right it off...............

SS

[Suncrest Sniper]

The spring turkey hunt, Glenwood WA, a couple were out hunting. The male heard a sound coming from behind, turns and see's a cat, he in turn shoots said cat, the hole was about the size of a silver dollar.  They called the WDFG and Klickitat County Sheriff and told their story. Justifiable self-defense.  This happened this last spring near the Mill Pond for those familiar with the area.

Well see that is also another thing I worry about when coyote hunting. If a coug sneaks up on me from behind like that I can assure you either the AR's going off in a blaze or or my 9mm.

SS

[carpsniperg2]

  I am not saying to let them stalk you "If" you see them and are that worried about them. Shoot to scare them away. But if you kill something, they will look at all the evidence, including the tracks "if they can find any". To see what might have taken place.