Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:25:06 PM

Title: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:25:06 PM: Hello again

I was reading through the regs and noticed that you arent allowed to hunt cougars using dogs or bait. Is there some other way you can draw them in or are we supposed to wander around looking helpless while pouring BBQ sauce on ourselves (or would this be self baiting?). I thought that maybe you could look for sign but then I read that cougars can travel up to 20 miles in a night and generally have huge ranges.

I guess I would be chasing after them with a bow but the same question goes for rifle/shotgun/handgun, how do you find them short of just walking around? And if walking around is the best way, what sort of BBQ sauce do cougars like best?
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 17, 2013, 12:30:23 PM: Predator call or a cougar call you can get from Rain Shadow.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: jackmaster on July 17, 2013, 12:32:22 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on July 17, 2013, 12:30:23 PM
Predator call or a cougar call you can get from Rain Shadow.
[/quote :yeah:]short of just flat stumbln into them thats the best way....
Title: Re: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: grundy53 on July 17, 2013, 12:33:02 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on July 17, 2013, 12:30:23 PM
Predator call or a cougar call you can get from Rain Shadow.

:yeah:

sent from my typewriter
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: fastdam on July 17, 2013, 12:38:51 PM: Some guys cut fresh tracks in tue winter, when there is snow on the ground, and walk the cat down.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 17, 2013, 12:41:35 PM: How would I hunt a cougar with a bow? :dunno:

In my nightmares.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: washelkhunter on July 17, 2013, 12:44:25 PM: Get a couple animal distress calls walk into the woods and find a hidey spot, sit down relax and start calling periodically. Give it an hour. Nothing shows up move on another qtr mile and repeat.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: mountainman on July 17, 2013, 12:44:57 PM: Quote from: fastdam on July 17, 2013, 12:38:51 PM
Some guys cut fresh tracks in tue winter, when there is snow on the ground, and walk the cat down.

This would be my best choice also!! :tup: :tup: :tup: It works! :)
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: headshot5 on July 17, 2013, 12:46:59 PM: Quote
How would I hunt a cougar with a bow?

In my nightmares.

Good work making me laugh.

The only thing I would add is with Depends.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: bobcat on July 17, 2013, 12:52:41 PM: Baiting cougars is legal. Not saying I would do it, but it might be an option if you know there's a cat in the area. Especially since you're wanting to hunt with a bow.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:59:26 PM: More of a thought experiment at this point, I just noticed that statistically there quite a few cougars in the area Ill be going.

If I were to call to them, what sort of predator call would work best? (not rich enough for the electronic ones sadly)

As an aside, do you think sitting in a tree with a laser pointer would work on cougars like it does on house cats and how much would you pay to watch a movie of that?
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: GoldTip on July 17, 2013, 01:02:29 PM: If I was hunting cougars with a bow, I would be vewwy, vewwy quiet. Just like when I am hunting wabbits, hehehehehe. In my best Elmer Fudd laugh.
Title: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Red Beard on July 17, 2013, 01:52:16 PM: Quote from: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
As an aside, do you think sitting in a tree with a laser pointer would work on cougars like it does on house cats and how much would you pay to watch a movie of that?
That made me laugh.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: ouchfoss on July 17, 2013, 08:16:17 PM: Quote from: Red Beard on July 17, 2013, 01:52:16 PM
Quote from: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
As an aside, do you think sitting in a tree with a laser pointer would work on cougars like it does on house cats and how much would you pay to watch a movie of that?
That made me laugh.

That was something I was really thinking about trying for bobcat and yotes while distress calling also. Considering how all cats are, I would almost guarantee if a bobcat or cougar saw a squiggly red dot, they would have to sneak in and at least take a closer look.
Get something like that on camera and it would be awesome!
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 17, 2013, 08:47:20 PM: Quote from: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
More of a thought experiment at this point, I just noticed that statistically there quite a few cougars in the area Ill be going.

If I were to call to them, what sort of predator call would work best? (not rich enough for the electronic ones sadly)

As an aside, do you think sitting in a tree with a laser pointer would work on cougars like it does on house cats and how much would you pay to watch a movie of that?

Primos Little Dawg. I think that's how you spell it. About $15 or so and you can buy them anywhere. It's a very versatile call. Easy to learn on. I've had one for years.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Machias on July 19, 2013, 06:28:58 AM: If you want to call lions, hands down you need to contact Rainshadow1....hands down ahead of all the rest.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Blackjaw on July 19, 2013, 06:51:08 AM: Very Carefully :chuckle:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: RS on July 23, 2013, 04:58:15 PM: "very carefully"

Ya, I second that. Getting within bow range of a cat on the ground is pretty exciting, if your going to be targeting cats and calling, Id strongly suggest a tree stand, not that they couldnt get you up in a tree, but hopefully you could defend yourself better and/or see them coming...
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 23, 2013, 05:11:36 PM: what happened to your faces :dunno: she was so close she must of scratched you :chuckle:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Smossy on July 23, 2013, 05:25:43 PM: Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on July 23, 2013, 05:11:36 PM
what happened to your faces :dunno: she was so close she must of scratched you :chuckle:
Bigfoot.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: cayleigh2011 on July 23, 2013, 05:27:39 PM: I'm not sure that I would honestly.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: RS on July 23, 2013, 05:29:29 PM: Ya, I know, kitty didn't scratch me but it did sneak up pretty close without knowing, and it was a 40 yard bow kill toe to toe on the ground, (legal tag and reported as required of course) but I didnt want to post my buddies face without asking, and besides we wouldn't want to leave too many clues as to our hunting honey holes in case you recognize us right...
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Smossy on July 23, 2013, 05:35:40 PM: Quote from: RS on July 23, 2013, 05:29:29 PM
Ya, I know, kitty didn't scratch me but it did sneak up pretty close without knowing, and it was a 40 yard bow kill toe to toe on the ground, (legal tag and reported as required of course) but I didnt want to post my buddies face without asking, and besides we wouldn't want to leave too many clues as to our hunting honey holes in case you recognize us right...
lol. Whats someone gonna see you in the woods, be like - hey that's that guy from HW he must be out here hunting cougars.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 23, 2013, 05:36:31 PM: I hear ya :dunno: :chuckle: I need to change my name and quit posting my face on the computer :dunno: just causes un wanted visitors :chuckle: Some guys make it sound like it is so easy to call in cougars ...you just do not go out in the woods and just start calling anywhere you feel like it ..if your not in the areas where cougar live then just forget it ... Find some tracks and sheet and then you may have a chance ... :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: MrsTurkeyFeather on July 23, 2013, 05:37:47 PM: Quote from: ouchfoss on July 17, 2013, 08:16:17 PM
Quote from: Red Beard on July 17, 2013, 01:52:16 PM
Quote from: h5c5o5 on July 17, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
As an aside, do you think sitting in a tree with a laser pointer would work on cougars like it does on house cats and how much would you pay to watch a movie of that?
That made me laugh.

. Considering how all cats are, I would almost guarantee if a bobcat or cougar saw a squiggly red dot, they would have to sneak in and at least take a closer look.
Get something like that on camera and it would be awesome!
Dont forget to toss out some catnip!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: mulehunter on July 23, 2013, 05:46:05 PM: Last winter, I COULD have use my bow (it would be *censored*)!!! but I had handgun with me to defend myself cuz I was at 30 yards on ground, Lion was growling and lay down he was ready to come toward us and my friend was by me and he sudden shot it first with in 30 yds... I will use bow soon :tup:

:archery_smiley:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Old Man Yager on July 23, 2013, 06:03:54 PM: U could sit on a gut pile or carcass of a freshly killed deer or elk,u might get a shot that way??
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Bowcrazy on July 27, 2013, 12:26:43 PM: I am hitting my buddies property where neighbors have reported seeing cougar year round. Haven't seen one on the game cam yet. But behind his property is 100 acres of DNR and if one presents the opportunity I'm going to go for it but not expect it. My buddy saw one last year bowhunting for bear 20 yards from him and he just froze. He said it looked at him and scaled a tree up 60 feet just like that. He pretty much got out of there cause he didn't have his sidearm. In person he said it looked way bigger than he thought they ever would look.

Bowcrazy
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: blacktailcody on July 27, 2013, 12:44:41 PM: We cut fresh tracks then call. Took one cougar and two bobs between two of us last spring. Rainshadow calls would be the guy to talk to.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: cougarbart on July 27, 2013, 01:55:56 PM: I have gotten two using a turkey decoy and call in areas that cougars use! especially if you know travel corridors they use!
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: southern transplant on August 04, 2013, 06:44:37 PM: I am not qfamiliar with cougars or washington really but what kinds of sign do I look for? Does yhey poop look like regular cat poop? What call do you normally use. Right now I would think fawn in distress
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: southern transplant on August 04, 2013, 06:46:18 PM: Does anyone recomend any areas? I've heard there are cats aroynd skookumchuck. Idk what to consider cougar country
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: bobcat on August 04, 2013, 08:13:10 PM: Anywhere that has good numbers of deer will have cougars. The problem is a cougar has a huge territory and you never know if there's a cougar anywhere close to where you're trying to hunt them. Best thing is to wait for snow and only hunt after finding fresh tracks.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: runamuk on August 04, 2013, 08:21:30 PM: try calling, we called one in using fawn or rabbit distress it was definitely in bow range it was 15 or 20 feet in front of us
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: billythekidrock on August 04, 2013, 08:50:48 PM: Quote from: Smossy on July 23, 2013, 05:35:40 PM
Quote from: RS on July 23, 2013, 05:29:29 PM
Ya, I know, kitty didn't scratch me but it did sneak up pretty close without knowing, and it was a 40 yard bow kill toe to toe on the ground, (legal tag and reported as required of course) but I didnt want to post my buddies face without asking, and besides we wouldn't want to leave too many clues as to our hunting honey holes in case you recognize us right...
lol. Whats someone gonna see you in the woods, be like - hey that's that guy from HW he must be out here hunting cougars.

It happens. I've had it happen with deer and yote spots.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: southern transplant on August 04, 2013, 10:07:38 PM: I would probably have some messy underwear if I had one 15 ir 20 yards away. Lol
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Mudman on August 04, 2013, 10:23:38 PM: A tree stand, hike in at night and blow elk cow/calf calls over and over. Worked for me unintentionally. Tom came in at dawn and bedded in swordferns below 35yards from me. At 9am he got up and then I knew he was there! :yike: I didn't have a brushfree shot to take as he walked away bored with me. :bash: Scary too. :chuckle:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: GoPlayOutside on August 04, 2013, 10:47:00 PM: Last year during elk/bow...I had 2 cougars come in on a trail toward me at 30yrds. I slowly reached for my bow, when one of them stopped and looked in my direction...I froze and :yike:

So I let them walk away without them trying to investigate me. I will never forgive myself for not at least getting a bow shot at 30yrds on a cougar :bash:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Mudman on August 05, 2013, 08:14:50 AM: :yeah: I know the feeling. I wanted to let it fly so bad even though I didn't have a clear shot. :bash: Yes Skookum has plenty of cats. I have seen a few and pics of 7 together in a yard playing and even looking through a slider into house.
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: Elkslayer on August 05, 2013, 08:57:54 AM: Get ya one of these!

http://youtu.be/Xrzbqiurbus (http://youtu.be/Xrzbqiurbus)
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: johnhart84 on August 08, 2013, 01:45:26 PM: Topic: "How would you hunt a cougar with a bow"

At the Tulalip Casino, with a Lexus and a bright red bow on top of it! Here Kitty Kitty :hunter:
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: briancorneal on August 08, 2013, 01:56:51 PM: Whatever you do, use protection! Hunting cougars, especially in Tacoma, might get you an STD. :)
Title: Re: How would you hunt a cougar with a bow
Post by: jackmaster on August 08, 2013, 03:05:08 PM: Quote from: bobcat on August 04, 2013, 08:13:10 PM
Anywhere that has good numbers of deer will have cougars. The problem is a cougar has a huge territory and you never know if there's a cougar anywhere close to where you're trying to hunt them. Best thing is to wait for snow and only hunt after finding fresh tracks.
:yeah: :yeah: