Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 08:05:50 AM
So I was going to do a thread after this hunt but the word is out and I didn't want to derail the Bearpaw fall 2017 thread.
As some of you know the reason I got into hunting is because early on dating my wife, she said, "if this is going to work you are going to have to go hunting with me." I wasn't a hunter but she is pretty special so along I went. I was immediately hooked on hunting as well as her. She had hunted since the age of nine and just the year before we started dating she had a taken a cougar in Washington. This was back when you could still use dogs. It's actually the cougar shown in Cedar River Taxidermy's banner on this site.
Anyways over the years I have been very fortunate to take some awesome trophy's but I don't have a cougar on the wall. It's the one thing she comes back to whenever I take another animal.
So last fall I decided to book a cougar hunt with Bearpaw Outfitters. Dale had openings for 2016 but with just losing my dad and my sister leaving the family business to live on a beach in Hawaii it just wasn't good timing. I asked if I could book one for 2017. He said sure and with that much notice I could pick whatever dates I wanted.
Dale prides himself on being a "cougar guy" and so I asked him to tell me what he would pick. He said if he had to choose traditionally the second week of December was the best combination of good snow, lots of cats and lots of opportunity. So the second week it was.
I was taking along two of my buddies. They are my wife's cousins. I was friends with them and my wife was always around so it made sense to start dating her, seemed convenient and it has worked out pretty well for the last 20 some years. Anyways my buddies were on board, deposits were made and the long wait started.
We followed last years thread and I was really kicking myself for not booking for that year, 13 hunters and all 13 had the opportunity to shoot a cat. I think two guys decided to pass a cat in the tree that just wasn't big enough for them and they ended up going home with a tag in their pocket.
It was amazing how fast the year and a half flew by. I was busy in the early archery season with my daughter this year. Then my archery elk hunt that I ate the tag on. Followed up my what might be one of my best hunting trip's ever with @jackelope on his goat hunt. Late archery deer this year I ate my tag but my daughter scored a mule deer there and that was a great experience to watch her succeed in some pretty tough country to hunt.
So now here we are, the second week of December on the horizon. The week that a "cougar guy" would choose every time as the best week to go.
I have practiced up with my bow. I am also dialed in with my .243 just in case a shot with the bow is not possible. Bags are packed and we are ready to go.
The group of hunters before has already tagged out so we were given the option to come early and start the hunt. Maybe this year the first week was the week to be there. Unfortunately I have a retirement party this afternoon for my mother in law. She is the Aunt of my two buddies as well so we will all be at the party and then on the road right after that. Hopefully the second week is just as good as the first already has been.
The hunt was originally going to be in southern Idaho but the snow is not so good there right now so Dale said we should go to the northern location instead for better opportunity. That actually helps as it is only a 6-7 hour drive versus 12-14 hours. That means that if we drive hard we can be there Saturday very early morning and possibly get in a hunt.
The plan is to split up and go three different ways and hopefully get into some action right away.
We also purchased wolf tags, chances are slim of seeing a wolf but if we get an opportunity we are going to put the hammer down on one.
I am told that there is no cell service where we will be so I don't know if I will be able to update this thread until I get back. If I get to service I will do my best to give some updates.
I will be taking my Washington deer, elk, cougar and bear tags with me to use as "mountain money" and really hope that I fill this tag.
Super excited for this hunt and I hope to be a "cougar guy" by the end of this trip.
Post by: Woodchuck on December 08, 2017, 08:13:13 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on December 08, 2017, 08:22:17 AM
Post by: WA hunter14 on December 08, 2017, 09:11:49 AM
Post by: X-Force on December 08, 2017, 09:13:14 AM
Post by: bobcat on December 08, 2017, 09:22:32 AM
Post by: jstone on December 08, 2017, 09:27:04 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 09:28:36 AM
Good luck man, would be nice if you could bring some snow with you !For sure. It's hunting, there are some things you just can't control. Learned that all too well on my elk hunt this September. Fingers crossed we can at least get some dustings of snow while we are there but I am just not sure that is in the cards.
It sounds like these guys have lots and lots of areas that they hunt so I am confident that we will get on something, might be a ton of windshield time but it is what it is. Who knows we may end up back in the southern Idaho locations before it is all over. I am guessing I will get to see a ton of new country.
Post by: WA hunter14 on December 08, 2017, 09:32:34 AM
Good luck man, would be nice if you could bring some snow with you !For sure. It's hunting, there are some things you just can't control. Learned that all too well on my elk hunt this September. Fingers crossed we can at least get some dustings of snow while we are there but I am just not sure that is in the cards.
It sounds like these guys have lots and lots of areas that they hunt so I am confident that we will get on something, might be a ton of windshield time but it is what it is. Who knows we may end up back in the southern Idaho locations before it is all over. I am guessing I will get to see a ton of new country.
Yea I'm sure you will have a great time ! I hope for your sake (an mine :chuckle: ) that we get some snow that the weatherman isn't seeing but if not it's ok. It's definitely not nessicary to have snow to catch lions just makes it harder.
Post by: bearpaw on December 08, 2017, 09:58:39 AM
There's not much snow but enough to get the job done. On the last hunt the dogs ran a good part of the chase on bare ground. The day before they lost a cat on bare ground. You never know in advance how each hunt will play out, it's hunting, but we are pretty confident in finding cats and eventually getting the job done. As long as it's not pouring down rain we are still in the game! We've also seen some fresh wolf tracks, I would love for one of you to get a wolf! Bear season is closed but oddly enough one guide saw bear tracks in the slush three days ago, that's one mixed up bear! :chuckle:
I'm very much looking forward to meeting, hunting, and swapping lies with you guys! :tup:
Post by: Woodchuck on December 08, 2017, 10:03:07 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 10:28:40 AM
If he starts talking about some trail that you don't see, don't follow him. :twocents: :chuckle::chuckle: I'm pretty bad about that but Kenny is even worse. That's where I got the "follow me I see a path", he says it almost as much as Josh says, "we're almost there" when you're hiking in the dark to some remote goat spot.
A wolf would be awesome. I almost think I would be fine eating the cougar tag if I got a wolf instead. Both and I might just completely freak out.
Just changed the batteries in the clock here at work. I thought it was going slow but I guess not.
Any guesses on the odds of us getting a speeding ticket trying to get there sooner tonight? :chuckle:
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2017, 10:35:12 AM
If he starts talking about some trail that you don't see, don't follow him. :twocents: :chuckle:
I think Dale's the one that will be finding the non-existent trails on this one.
Can't wait to see how this all plays out. Booner or bust!!!! Right Dale!?!
You better hold his arrows for him. And his bullets.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 08, 2017, 10:43:43 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 11:20:55 AM
I swung for the fences on my archery elk hunt this year and passed what were some pretty nice bulls and I am okay with that. I am confident that we will get on a cat worthy of tagging but it is hunting. I might not have a clear shot in the tree and it might leave the tree before I can get there or get the shot off.
Anything can happen. I do know it will be a great experience no matter if I fill the tag or not.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 08, 2017, 11:29:25 AM
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2017, 12:48:35 PM
So Josh got me pretty warmed up to the whole conservation thing and taking males and mature males and all that on that darn goat hunt. Dale and his guys are cougar guys so I am sure they will get me dialed in. He already told me that by looking at tracks they can tell if it is a tom or not and approximate weight. They won't chase a 110 pound cat if I am not going to shoot it so we will talk about that when they find the track and make a decision.
I swung for the fences on my archery elk hunt this year and passed what were some pretty nice bulls and I am okay with that. I am confident that we will get on a cat worthy of tagging but it is hunting. I might not have a clear shot in the tree and it might leave the tree before I can get there or get the shot off.
Anything can happen. I do know it will be a great experience no matter if I fill the tag or not.
Not sure what this "or not" thing is you speak of.
You have to fill your tag. If you don't, your going to have half of the HuntWa crew after you for not doing your part to reduce the predator population.
Post by: slowhand on December 08, 2017, 01:14:31 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 01:17:38 PM
Pain is temporary, never give up, whatever it takes, nobody said it would be easy they said it would be worth it and of course we're almost there are all words to live by. I'm just not wired to give up. If I don't get one it won't be because of lack of effort.
I have had one of my most memorable seasons this year and I haven't personally filled a tag, yet. I really hope I fill this one. It's gonna be a long off season if I don't get some sort of kill under my belt.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on December 08, 2017, 01:23:59 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 01:40:28 PM
I booked this one two years ago never imagining that I would draw the elk tag or be asked to tag along on the goat hunt. Cost is just under $5k so $100 a month for the last two years and it is paid for. It's not something I am probably going to do again so I am going to really take it all in and enjoy it.
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 06:26:14 PM
Post by: KFhunter on December 08, 2017, 06:39:47 PM
Good luck! so jealous! I've never been in a hound chase they outlawed it just as I was getting a start on it then *poof* anyways I hope you bag a giant scarred up old battle cat (but no broken teeth) :chuckle:
:tup: :tup:
Post by: Brushcrawler on December 08, 2017, 06:47:15 PM
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2017, 06:54:13 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on December 08, 2017, 07:10:07 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2017, 11:00:16 PM
Post by: Romulus1297 on December 08, 2017, 11:08:13 PM
Post by: Thehowler on December 09, 2017, 06:53:40 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 09, 2017, 08:40:50 AM
Post by: jackelope on December 09, 2017, 10:09:06 AM
The suns been up two hours, no cat yet. :chuckle:
No cell service where they’re at.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 09, 2017, 10:38:05 AM
The suns been up two hours, no cat yet. :chuckle:
No cell service where they’re at.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s what this paragraph meant when I read it yesterday. Sarcasm chuckle again. :chuckle:
I am told that there is no cell service where we will be so I don't know if I will be able to update this thread until I get back. If I get to service I will do my best to give some updates.
Post by: jkthomps on December 09, 2017, 10:40:59 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: bowhunterforever on December 09, 2017, 02:09:49 PM
Post by: hollymaster on December 09, 2017, 02:38:06 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on December 09, 2017, 07:20:54 PM
You're in good hands :tup:
Post by: Gringo31 on December 11, 2017, 09:32:12 AM
Must be still hard at it! :tup:
Post by: Rainier10 on December 17, 2017, 09:41:16 AM
We watched Deadpool one night before bed. For those that have seen that movie one line rings true from that movie for me, “maximum effort”.
For my last hunt of the year I once again did all that I could just didn’t fill a tag.
That’s hunting sometimes.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 17, 2017, 09:44:37 AM
Post by: WA hunter14 on December 17, 2017, 10:56:27 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 17, 2017, 11:21:40 AM
Post by: KFhunter on December 17, 2017, 11:46:32 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on December 18, 2017, 04:57:31 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on December 19, 2017, 06:24:42 AM
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on December 19, 2017, 09:55:29 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:17:50 PM
Dale was generous enough to call me up and let me know that the weather was looking favorable and I should I come back over and give it another try. Unfortunately I hd my daughters 13th birthday and couldn't get over there last weekend. He did have another hunter on standby and if you are following the Bearpaw fall 2017 thread you saw that the hunter connected on a great cougar.
Dale said it would still be good if I could get over there on New Year's day and Kenny and I headed over.
We stopped in Post Falls and got new licenses for 2018. We arrived at the house at 6pm and we excited for the morning hunt. There was a ton of snow since we had been there before so I towed my snowmobiles and trailer over for the hunt.
Tuesday morning we were up at 2am and Dale arrived at 3am to head out with us and the other guide in search of cat tracks.
It was a little chilly, 4 degrees.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:20:47 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:25:24 PM
After filling up the tire and disconnecting the compressor I could hear the air leaking out still. The sun was just coming up and a closer look revealed the tire was junk.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:27:01 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:32:14 PM
At the meeting point Dale showed up from the roads that he was checking and said that he had found a track that was maybe a day or two old and we should talk to Brian who had been in the area recently to see what he thought.
Brian came back and said that he thought it was worth giving a try. Dale had a spare tire that we could use on the trailer so we headed back to change the tire and bring our snowmobiles around to where Dale had found the track.
We quickly changed the tire and headed to the trailhead. Brian was just returning from checking the track and said that it was a little old but worth turning the dogs loose. We gathered our stuff and he loaded the dogs in the trailer.
Off we went with high hopes.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 08:37:08 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on January 06, 2018, 08:58:24 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 09:15:43 PM
After over three hours of waiting and watching the dogs on the GPS I was getting colder and just wanted to call it a day. It was after 2pm, we had been up since 2am and the dogs just weren't making any progress.
Brian decided to go down and see what the dogs were doing. I asked if I should go with him just in case the dogs actually did have a cat treed. He said no and that he would yell if we needed to come down but to be ready just in case because we were running out of time.
Brian got to the dogs and could see the problem, there were cat tracks all over in the draw. The two cats had been hunting the canyon and it was tough to stay on the trail. He rounded up the dogs in the area and started to hike them up the ridge hoping to cross a fresh track.
It looked like we had run out of options and he asked for me to call for Lady and Thirteen, yet that was the dogs name, Thirteen. At this point I really just wanted to head to the truck and warm up but I stayed an called for Lady and Thirteen.
Brian said looking at the GPS they were directly below me. I could hear their bell ringing but couldn't see them. I kept calling and they came up and crossed the road between Dale and I. Dale got to where they crossed and said they were up hill but were on a fresh cat track. :yike:
We jumped on our snowmobiles and tried to maneuver around and closer to the dogs. We actually passed them and had to back track. Brian didn't go past them and released all of the dogs to follow the trail. He hurried up behind them and said that he thought there was cat treed and we needed to get up the hill.
It was total chaos trying to grab my bow and get snow shoes on. Kenny was grabbing his gun and snowshoes. Brian radioed down to Dale that we should stay in the big timber coming up the hill as the snow would be better to walk on. The dogs were locked up 300 yards as the crow flies from where we were. Of course the hill was a 60 degree slope so it was a brutal 300 yards.
I was giving it everything I could to get up the hill and the dogs barks were echoing all over, trying to get a good location of where I needed to be was tough.
I finally got to the dogs, my heart was jumping out of my chest, I thought I was going to die but actually saw a cat up in the tree below the dogs.
They were all tied up and I saw Brian on the other side of the tree. I wanted to take a break but Brian said the cat was getting nervous and I better get my bow ready. I did as he said and moved over to his location. He had the best view of the cat. He told me to take off my snowshoes for a better shot. He told me where to aim. There was a limb right in front of me that I had to shoot under, there was a limb that the cat was on that I had to shoot over and another just above him that I had to shoot under. He was quartering away and the shot angle had gotten worse as I was trying to catch my breath.
The cat had moved and was looking like he was about to jump out of the tree. I didn't know that I had what it would take or the time in the day to get to the cat again. It was 3pm. It was now or never. I drew back and realized just how tough a steep angle shot was.
My first pin is a 30 yard pin and I think with the steep angle the cat was maybe at 14 yards as the crow flies. Trying to get the sight aligned and aim low with the 30 yard pin I just kept thinking make this shot count. Circle of the peep centered around the circle of the sight, put the pin 6" low, make sure the bubble is level....don't screw this up.....squeeze the release.
The easton full metal jacket tipped with an old school thunderhead broad head weighing in at 485 grains flew straight and went right into the pump house. It flat out knocked the cat off of the limb. As it fell it grabbed the limb with its right paw but couldn't hold on and fell to the ground. It was dead on arrival when it hit the ground.
The emotions were insane. Brian had filmed the whole thing. I can not express how happy I was to have this all come together and actually end with a cat dead on the ground.
Dale and the entire staff at Bearpaw outfitters worked so hard to help me get this cat. I can't thank them enough.
2018 is off to a great start for me.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 06, 2018, 09:17:42 PM
Post by: Eric M on January 06, 2018, 09:21:44 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on January 06, 2018, 09:31:03 PM
Thanks for sharing. :tup:
Post by: Jpmiller on January 06, 2018, 09:34:28 PM
Post by: redi on January 06, 2018, 09:58:02 PM
Post by: Birdguy on January 06, 2018, 10:05:37 PM
Post by: jackelope on January 06, 2018, 10:15:49 PM
You gave him the old Encore shuffle!! So so so happy for you. I only wish you guys could have killed 3 cats but 1 is better than none. Congrats man.
Post by: wheels on January 06, 2018, 10:16:57 PM
Post by: cem3434 on January 06, 2018, 10:32:46 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on January 06, 2018, 11:16:22 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 06, 2018, 11:17:23 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on January 06, 2018, 11:24:13 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 07, 2018, 12:40:38 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on January 07, 2018, 01:18:00 AM
Post by: hollymaster on January 07, 2018, 03:58:55 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on January 07, 2018, 06:22:54 AM
Post by: MADMAX on January 07, 2018, 06:31:36 AM
congrats
Post by: NOCK NOCK on January 07, 2018, 08:07:12 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on January 07, 2018, 08:57:20 AM
Awesome :tup: :tup: Definetly go for the life size mount, love mine.:yeah:x2
Post by: jackelope on January 07, 2018, 09:05:51 AM
Was it bigger than your wife's though?
That was my first question. Well, maybe my 2nd.
Post by: FWilliams on January 07, 2018, 09:06:17 AM
Fred
Post by: CaNINE on January 07, 2018, 10:07:29 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 07, 2018, 10:13:23 AM
Now I need a wolf.
Post by: gramps on January 07, 2018, 10:21:51 AM
Post by: greenhead_killer on January 07, 2018, 10:57:49 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on January 07, 2018, 12:05:36 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 07, 2018, 01:03:10 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on January 07, 2018, 07:45:21 PM
Post by: 724wd on January 08, 2018, 01:07:50 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on January 11, 2018, 08:32:07 AM
Congrats! :tup:
Did I see a Ruby in that pic? :)
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:55:48 AM
I'm late on catching the update...Yes, that is Ruby in the middle of the road. That is when we "released the hounds!!!!!"
Congrats! :tup:
Did I see a Ruby in that pic? :)
She's a great dog.
Thirteen and Lady are the two that actually found the track that ended up treeing the cat that I got. I will have fond memories of those two now as well as good ole Ruby.
Post by: Gringo31 on January 11, 2018, 09:00:10 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 09:20:45 AM
We were handicapped by weather, one of the big things that a guide just can't control.
Once the dogs were on the track, they quickly treed the cat. Then it was all on me. Getting up that hill to the dogs was no easy task, snow was deep, snow shoes are really tough to run or climb a hill in. I am not sure the photos I took can really depict how steep it is there. I hunt Swakane every year in the late season for deer and went with Jackelope on his goat hunt. Both really steep areas. Idaho is just as steep if not steeper. So after this brutal dash to the dogs you have to gain your composure and catch your breath. At this point there are 5 dogs barking like there is no tomorrow, it's total chaos and now there are two people at the tree, the guide and I. The cat is getting really nervous, you are physically drained and now you have to make a steep uphill shot. I did it with a bow, totally un natural the angle of the shot, standing on steep terrain and shooting through a small window of limbs. I think a gun might be a little easier as you don't have to worry about the rise and fall of the bullet but the angle of the shot and the footing you are standing on would still be very problematic.
Bottom line when it all goes right, it is still total chaos and really tough to accomplish. When conditions are tough it makes it all that much tougher.
Dale and his crew worked their butts off to get us on a cat and in a position that I could take a cat. Luckily I was able to get to the cat and make what I would consider a pretty difficult shot. It was really nerve wracking being out of breath, dogs barking and knowing that I had one shot to make it count.
I am still working on getting the video uploaded onto a platform that I can provide a link to. When I do I will be sure to post it here. The video really shows how tired I was and the chaos that was around me for the shot.
Post by: Gringo31 on January 11, 2018, 09:24:31 AM
More pics and Video!
Post by: Widgeondeke on January 11, 2018, 10:06:27 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 11, 2018, 10:26:52 AM
Post by: Brushbuster on January 11, 2018, 10:42:59 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 10:52:17 AM
Butchered the cat on Monday but haven't had any yet. I will probably have some next week. We like it in kind of a stir fry. Cougar meat cut into small chunks in a fry pan with green peppers, sliced mushrooms and soy sauce. We then put that over white rice. It's really good. It's been over 20 years since my wife got a cougar so we have been using chicken in the recipe since then.
Next week I will really work on getting the video uploaded to youtube or something so you guys can see that.
Having the whole thing on video and of course the photo of Kenny and I with the cat are what really make the hunt for me. Brian did an awesome job of documenting the hunt. His video and staging of the photo bring out the very best of the hunt.
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 10:56:53 AM
I will say for a guy that is on a guided cougar hunt, if all things go perfect, it really isn't that tough.
We were handicapped by weather, one of the big things that a guide just can't control.
Once the dogs were on the track, they quickly treed the cat. Then it was all on me. Getting up that hill to the dogs was no easy task, snow was deep, snow shoes are really tough to run or climb a hill in. I am not sure the photos I took can really depict how steep it is there. I hunt Swakane every year in the late season for deer and went with Jackelope on his goat hunt. Both really steep areas. Idaho is just as steep if not steeper. So after this brutal dash to the dogs you have to gain your composure and catch your breath. At this point there are 5 dogs barking like there is no tomorrow, it's total chaos and now there are two people at the tree, the guide and I. The cat is getting really nervous, you are physically drained and now you have to make a steep uphill shot. I did it with a bow, totally un natural the angle of the shot, standing on steep terrain and shooting through a small window of limbs. I think a gun might be a little easier as you don't have to worry about the rise and fall of the bullet but the angle of the shot and the footing you are standing on would still be very problematic.
Bottom line when it all goes right, it is still total chaos and really tough to accomplish. When conditions are tough it makes it all that much tougher.
Dale and his crew worked their butts off to get us on a cat and in a position that I could take a cat. Luckily I was able to get to the cat and make what I would consider a pretty difficult shot. It was really nerve wracking being out of breath, dogs barking and knowing that I had one shot to make it count.
I am still working on getting the video uploaded onto a platform that I can provide a link to. When I do I will be sure to post it here. The video really shows how tired I was and the chaos that was around me for the shot.
You guys put in more time cougar hunting than most hunters we've had in quite a few years, you also walked more miles in rough terrain with young lean fit guides than almost any other cougar hunter we've had. It would not have been near as meaningful for you if we went out the first day, had an easy chase, short easy walk, and poof cougar down. You got to see the full cougar hunting experience, all the lows and the highs! In the end you had a hunt with memories for life. We enjoyed hunting with you and appreciated your willingness to do whatever it took to have a great hunt! Thanks! :hello:
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:12:12 AM
We got to learn a ton about cougars and cougar hunting. We learned a ton about wolves, moose, deer, elk, bears, turkeys and even otters in the area. Learned a ton about Bearpaw outfitters and their operations in multiple states.
With the extra time we had in camp we were able to talk alot about wildlife management and plans for my property in eastern washington based on lessons learned from Dales efforts on his own property.
Another nice thing was because we did have some good hunting experience and were willing to do anything the guides were really willing to share information on what they were looking for and how it all worked. By the end of the hunt I really felt confident in my ability to spot tracks, know what they were and form an opinion on what the cat was likely doing. I think had we been "show me a cougar in a tree so I can shoot it" guys the exchange of information would have been limited. We were curious about everything they did and they shared information very freely.
I think because of this hunt we have a ton of useful information to use here in Washington state for boot hunting cougars.
I am firm believer in everything happening for a reason. A quick short hunt would have been nice but I think we got so much more out of the longer hunt. A quick easy hunt just wasn't in the cards for us.
All of the effort by us and the guides does make it that much sweeter.
Post by: jackelope on January 11, 2018, 11:45:50 AM
I will say for a guy that is on a guided cougar hunt, if all things go perfect, it really isn't that tough.
We were handicapped by weather, one of the big things that a guide just can't control.
Once the dogs were on the track, they quickly treed the cat. Then it was all on me. Getting up that hill to the dogs was no easy task, snow was deep, snow shoes are really tough to run or climb a hill in. I am not sure the photos I took can really depict how steep it is there. I hunt Swakane every year in the late season for deer and went with Jackelope on his goat hunt. Both really steep areas. Idaho is just as steep if not steeper. So after this brutal dash to the dogs you have to gain your composure and catch your breath. At this point there are 5 dogs barking like there is no tomorrow, it's total chaos and now there are two people at the tree, the guide and I. The cat is getting really nervous, you are physically drained and now you have to make a steep uphill shot. I did it with a bow, totally un natural the angle of the shot, standing on steep terrain and shooting through a small window of limbs. I think a gun might be a little easier as you don't have to worry about the rise and fall of the bullet but the angle of the shot and the footing you are standing on would still be very problematic.
Bottom line when it all goes right, it is still total chaos and really tough to accomplish. When conditions are tough it makes it all that much tougher.
Dale and his crew worked their butts off to get us on a cat and in a position that I could take a cat. Luckily I was able to get to the cat and make what I would consider a pretty difficult shot. It was really nerve wracking being out of breath, dogs barking and knowing that I had one shot to make it count.
I am still working on getting the video uploaded onto a platform that I can provide a link to. When I do I will be sure to post it here. The video really shows how tired I was and the chaos that was around me for the shot.
You guys put in more time cougar hunting than most hunters we've had in quite a few years, you also walked more miles in rough terrain with young lean fit guides than almost any other cougar hunter we've had. It would not have been near as meaningful for you if we went out the first day, had an easy chase, short easy walk, and poof cougar down. You got to see the full cougar hunting experience, all the lows and the highs! In the end you had a hunt with memories for life. We enjoyed hunting with you and appreciated your willingness to do whatever it took to have a great hunt! Thanks! :hello:
He got really good training and a workout before his hunt with you hiking and hunting with a young and really fit and lean hard core mountain goat hunter. That's why he was able to do that.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:56:55 AM
Between my early season elk hunt, goat hunt with Jackelope, and late archery at Swakane I was in pretty good shape for this hunt.
I would suggest that anyone thinking about doing a cougar hunt really get in shape for it. We did some long hikes on this hunt but I don't think that is the norm. I would be more prepared for a 300 yard to 1/2 mile dash straight up a steep hill. You might not need to be ready for that, you might get lucky and have a cat tree not far above or at your same elevation and be locked in the tree and not need to do the fast dash to the cat. But if you do need to do it and aren't prepared it would suck to not be able to get there in time.
I think I was in optimum shape for it and I still struggled or at least felt like I struggled.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Post by: jkthomps on January 11, 2018, 12:04:39 PM
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Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 12:57:39 PM
So I mentioned this on the bearpaw fall hunting thread but thought I would put it here as well. These guys were awesome at spotting cat tracks. There were deer, elk, moose and wolf tracks everywhere and these guys would throw out the anchor and stop to look at one set and say it was tom or a female cougar. We drive a little farther come around a corner and there would be tracks everywhere and they wouldn't stop. I asked why and they said no cougar tracks.
After much discussion about the different tracks I could pick out the difference in deer, elk, wolf, moose, coyote, bobcat, rabbit and cougar pretty regularly while driving down the road. Each of them look just a little different and at times all of them can look like a cougar track. It was really interesting to learn the differences.
Then we also learned the differences between male and female cat tracks. And with so many cougars they actually explained the difference between cats. They would measure the gate of the cat, distance between prints. Some cats would step into their front track with their back foot and some would have a space. Some would drag their toe a little and some would not. These slight differences would tell you if you were looking at the same cat track or a different cat.
Again lots of tracks to examine and learn the difference.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 07:23:08 PM
Post by: jkthomps on January 11, 2018, 07:28:08 PM
Do you ever get the feeling your fighting the universe?
What’s up?
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Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 07:33:18 PM
Post by: grundy53 on January 11, 2018, 07:59:43 PM
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Post by: quadrafire on January 11, 2018, 08:02:11 PM
Story and hunt. Thanks for sharing
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:04:25 PM
Post by: quadrafire on January 11, 2018, 08:09:19 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:16:04 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 11, 2018, 08:18:16 PM
Post by: jmscon on January 11, 2018, 08:24:48 PM
Looked like a fairly large Tom, was it? Hard to tell from the pics.
Good luck this weekend!
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:34:14 PM
Toby and Kenny going cat hunting?Yep, I’m tagging along to help. I’m kind of a cat expert now. :chuckle:
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:38:09 PM
Awesome, congrats! It’s always good to hear when hard work pays off!its a great pic. I’m super happy with the cat. There were bigger ones taken and smaller ones. Some guys haven’t got one yet so I’m calling it a great cat. Shot it with my bow, worked my butt off and have the whole thing on video.
Looked like a fairly large Tom, was it? Hard to tell from the pics.
Good luck this weekend!
It’s easily the biggest cat I’ve ever shot.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 08:51:17 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on January 11, 2018, 08:56:56 PM
Uh duh : :chuckle: at least until next season :tup:Awesome, congrats! It’s always good to hear when hard work pays off!its a great pic. I’m super happy with the cat. There were bigger ones taken and smaller ones. Some guys haven’t got one yet so I’m calling it a great cat. Shot it with my bow, worked my butt off and have the whole thing on video.
It’s easily the biggest cat I’ve ever shot.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 10:18:49 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:06:43 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:10:50 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 11, 2018, 11:19:28 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:36:31 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 12, 2018, 04:42:07 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 12, 2018, 05:09:04 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on January 12, 2018, 09:02:36 AM
Hoping you're on a hot track!
Post by: Machias on January 12, 2018, 12:27:55 PM
Awesome write up and congrats on a beautiful cat!!!!
Post by: jmscon on January 13, 2018, 02:17:33 PM
Post by: jackelope on January 13, 2018, 02:40:34 PM
I hear there’s more lion blood in the snow!!
Post by: Bob33 on January 13, 2018, 02:55:34 PM
Post by: Dan-o on January 13, 2018, 03:53:19 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 13, 2018, 04:07:10 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 13, 2018, 04:12:56 PM
Release the hounds!
Post by: Rainier10 on January 13, 2018, 04:23:21 PM
Dogs were released at noon, cat was treed at 1225!
Now we had to get to it.
Toby hustled up the hill and Kenny Dale and I all followed. Daniel made it to the dogs first and got them tied up. 20 yards from the tree Toby could see it in the tree and it jumped out landing 20 feet from Toby. :yike:
He couldn’t get a shot but the dogs quickly treed it again. We all got to the tree and it was a good cat. Daniel got the dogs tied up again, Toby steadied for the shot and I video taped it on my phone.
One shot right behind the shoulder with the 7mm08 stood the cat up and it dropped. It grabbed a limb with its mouth and hung up a bit in the branches. I thought we were going to have to climb the tree. Luckily it fell to the ground.
It’s a great cat, really old female. Broken and missing teeth it’s so old.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180114/27f0acb1fb33fe603803d3925ad5185e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180114/6fd13609b75a3b0dcffe7261f144df52.jpg)
Post by: Machias on January 13, 2018, 04:33:39 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 13, 2018, 04:34:22 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 13, 2018, 04:38:27 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 13, 2018, 05:02:32 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 13, 2018, 05:39:43 PM
Post by: jmscon on January 13, 2018, 05:54:45 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on January 13, 2018, 07:02:04 PM
Going out tomorrow to fill 3rd tag?
Post by: jackelope on January 13, 2018, 08:14:17 PM
Just skinned out. Big full belly from eating that deer all last night.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180114/27da8a277ad76d1ccaafd1fbc432e0a9.jpg)
Post by: CementFinisher on January 13, 2018, 10:11:37 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 14, 2018, 05:26:39 AM
Fingers crossed this works.
Post by: Brushbuster on January 14, 2018, 06:41:36 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 14, 2018, 03:41:35 PM
There were tracks everywhere and Kenny decided to swing for the fences and go for the larger cat with lower odds because of snow conditions. Well the snow got thin and then turned to dirt below a rock outcropping. The dogs lost the trail and we couldn’t find tracks to put them back on it.
It was still early in the day and Dale said we could run the smaller track if we had time. We decided worse case scenario we would take Toby to an airport and put him on a plane so he could be to work at 7am Monday.
Dogs worked thevtrail hard but the cat just kept moving and they could never catch it. We finally just had to call it and head for home.
We are on the road now and hope to be back home by 3am so Toby and I can be to work by 7.
What an epic hunt. So glad I came over here for the last leg and got to see Toby take his cat and Kenny give it all he had.
For those of you who have seen Deadpool, we gave it “maximum effort”.
Thanks to Dale and his whole team who also gave it maximum effort.
Post by: jackelope on January 14, 2018, 04:07:11 PM
Post by: KFhunter on January 14, 2018, 04:22:12 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 14, 2018, 05:21:27 PM
I’ll share more pics and details when I get a chance. Also gonna work on the videos.
Most important I have to get back in good graces with the family. Lots of time away. I’ve officially been in Idaho more in 2018 than I have been in Washington.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 14, 2018, 08:23:25 PM
Be sure to post pictures in a year when you get it back from the taxi. I've heard that weird guy on here, Elkstuffer, is pretty good with stuffing animals.
Post by: Rainier10 on January 15, 2018, 07:25:06 AM
Today is gonna suck but I have to get caught up at work.
Roads were clear the whole way home, a little foggy in a couple of places.
Driving by the slide just before Yakima was cool both ways but we were in the dark both times. I would really like to see that in the daylight.
Post by: Gringo31 on January 15, 2018, 08:37:37 AM
And for all the right reasons. :tup:
Congrats to your crew and Bearpaw Outfitters
Post by: Matth on January 15, 2018, 09:49:28 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 15, 2018, 09:51:39 AM
Post by: Machias on January 16, 2018, 09:11:21 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 16, 2018, 11:30:32 AM
My wife finished cutting and wrapping the cougar this weekend while we were hunting. Looking forward to having some later this week. I will let you know how it is.Apparently they couldn’t wait for me. Everyone said they had some Saturday night and it was good.
Post by: W_Ellison2011 on January 16, 2018, 11:09:01 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:11:24 PM
Post by: callturner on February 04, 2021, 10:14:23 PM
Post by: Pinetar on February 04, 2021, 10:14:42 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:15:58 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:16:37 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:17:33 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:19:13 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:22:34 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:25:01 PM
Post by: Dan-o on February 04, 2021, 10:26:38 PM
Post by: stickbuck on February 04, 2021, 10:39:17 PM
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Post by: Platensek-po on February 04, 2021, 10:39:58 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 04, 2021, 10:44:13 PM
Post by: MADMAX on February 04, 2021, 10:45:25 PM
Congrats
Post by: huntnphool on February 04, 2021, 11:26:30 PM
Post by: Dan-o on February 04, 2021, 11:32:12 PM
(If that's the right word)
He just looks like hea concentrating on a stalk.
Post by: trophyhunt on February 05, 2021, 05:51:34 AM
Post by: zwickeyman on February 05, 2021, 06:04:23 AM
Great looking mount and Cat
Post by: NOCK NOCK on February 05, 2021, 06:23:57 AM
Sitting here looking at mine (shot in September) and comparing. Look at that fluffy tail. Their winter coats are crazy thick.
Congrats again :tup:
Post by: bearpaw on February 05, 2021, 06:27:32 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 05, 2021, 07:06:18 AM
I don’t know, the smiling/happy cat mounts are growing on me...but I guess that one looks okay Rick. :rolleyes::chuckle: I was really torn between this and the smiling cat, this cat puts a smile on my face every time I look at it.
Post by: full choke on February 05, 2021, 07:18:29 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on February 05, 2021, 08:03:10 AM
Post by: bornhunter on February 05, 2021, 08:10:54 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 05, 2021, 08:26:42 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 05, 2021, 08:52:24 AM
He really captured a great "intense" look on your cat's face
(If that's the right word)
He just looks like hea concentrating on a stalk.
I tried to get Rick to go with this mount but he wouldn't go for it. He said not intense enough.
:dunno:
.
Post by: callturner on February 05, 2021, 08:56:31 AM
Post by: KFhunter on February 05, 2021, 08:59:39 AM
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Post by: redi on February 05, 2021, 09:07:24 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on February 05, 2021, 09:14:21 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on February 05, 2021, 09:14:29 AM
Post by: opdinkslayer on February 05, 2021, 09:17:24 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 05, 2021, 09:25:26 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 05, 2021, 10:01:34 AM
Funny story, Jackelope's taxi and calturner's taxi are two different guys. Both were cheaper and Jackelope's guy had a crazy good turn around. In the end I am glad that I stuck with Rick @cedarriver . I think josh's guy used to work at build a bear where they just fill the hide with stuffing and you get what you get.
That's cotton stuffing machine is pretty slick.