Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 28, 2015, 10:32:24 AM

Title: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 28, 2015, 10:32:24 AM: I went out this weekend hoping to tag a nice mulie with my bow and came home with this guy! I missed a nice buck 3 times with my bow, back to the range for me. On the drive out I saw this guy in the middle of the road! He ran up the hillside and I parked the truck, grabbed my rifle and we up the hillside to see if he was still close. He was at 30 yds looking back at the road so I made a quick shot and put him down. Its been 15 years since I have seen a cougar in the wild so I was pretty excited to have actually put a tag on one. He is 4.5 feet long, probably 90lbs, and 2-3 years old.

I am planning on getting a rug made out of it and getting the meat turned into sausage. Any other suggestion on the meat are greatly appreciated, I have heard that sausage is the best way to go but open to other ideas.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Eli346 on September 28, 2015, 10:42:17 AM: That's a neat trophy shot. Good job!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: kellama2001 on September 28, 2015, 11:01:27 AM: Congrats! I'm jealous, I'd LOVE to nab a big cat! I read an article from Steve Rinella called The Merits of Lion Meat where they took the cougar meat & simmered it in water until it fell off the bones, then chunked it up & put it in tangy bbq sauce. Said its better than pulled pork once you get it tender. I hope to try it out someday! Enjoy!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Natures Way on September 28, 2015, 11:38:34 AM: Congrats! nice looking cat.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: 300rum on September 28, 2015, 12:02:59 PM: Did you put your Deer tag on him?
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 28, 2015, 12:10:42 PM: Cougar meat is delicious! We steaked out a lot of the one we had. I wouldn't turn the whole thing into sausage!

Congrats on an elusive animal!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Idahocougar on September 28, 2015, 12:25:28 PM: Keep the back straps for sure and steak them. I made the mistake of giving mine away and only keeping the back straps. That won't happen again.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: jasnt on September 28, 2015, 12:34:09 PM: Congrats. +1 on steaking out some of that cat. Specially 2-3 year old
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 28, 2015, 12:35:24 PM: Who would have known cougar steaks are good?! I will do that.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 28, 2015, 12:36:30 PM: Quote from: 300rum on September 28, 2015, 12:02:59 PM
Did you put your Deer tag on him?

No, I had a cougar tag. I actually have a lot of them laying around!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: hunting4sanity on September 28, 2015, 01:05:33 PM: Congratulations! I'd love to get a cougar someday, only been real close one time while archery hunting - one of the years I saved a few $ by not buying a tag to have "just in case."
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Mark251 on September 28, 2015, 04:50:11 PM: Congratulations! Great looking cat :tup:
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: USMC86 on September 28, 2015, 07:07:18 PM: Congratulations on a wonderful trophy. I shot an old one in NV a few years ago and was very surprised at the meat quality. Lion loin is excellent- think pork loin recipes and you will be fine. We cubed it for shish kebabs, made white chili, and did some stir fry. I was surprised at the number of yuppie friends that wanted to try it out of curiosity during a cookout we had....everyone seemed to like it and it gave them something to talk about at work. The only watch out would be that it can a little chewy and dry- like pork- if you use dry cooking methods or cook to long. Anything wet and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: MLBowhunting on October 12, 2015, 06:02:44 PM: Congrats on a great lion. Well done
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: ebusa on October 26, 2015, 09:13:52 AM: Congrats! nothing like the rush when you get a cougar down! :tup:
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Tenkara on October 27, 2015, 06:46:18 AM: steak as much of the meat as you can, its delicious, congrats.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on October 27, 2015, 09:07:19 AM: I ended up getting it made into sausage. Its good, but I cant get over the fact I am eating a cat lol. Its just a mental block, Ill get over it. The wife loves it though!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Tenkara on October 27, 2015, 08:38:04 PM: Quote from: elkinrutdrivemenuts on October 27, 2015, 09:07:19 AM
I ended up getting it made into sausage. Its good, but I cant get over the fact I am eating a cat lol. Its just a mental block, Ill get over it. The wife loves it though!
didn't notice this was almost a month old, congrats on your cougar.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: hirshey on November 02, 2015, 06:42:05 PM: VERY cool! Still a critter on my wish list... They are so incredibly elusive!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar* Updated
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 14, 2016, 10:38:17 AM: Got the rug back from Coeur d' Alene Taxidermy. Very pleased with it and the service they provided. I think the Crimson and Gray look pretty sweet as well!
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: pd on September 14, 2016, 11:14:22 AM: Go Cougs!

But in your shop? That beautiful rug should be in your living room. Congratulations.
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on September 14, 2016, 11:47:43 AM: That is the living room in my shop :)
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 14, 2016, 11:51:50 AM: :tup: Good to see other members with there shop as there living room! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 14, 2016, 11:52:57 AM: It really came out great! :tup:
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: Kit Carson on September 14, 2016, 04:16:42 PM: Congrats
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: jasnt on September 14, 2016, 04:46:42 PM: Awesome
Title: Re: 2015 Idaho Panhandle Cougar
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 14, 2016, 11:17:32 PM: That looks good :tup: