Post by: hunter399 on November 22, 2022, 08:59:29 PM
Tag Soup was just kill in me.
So I went to the dentist,and they say he is out all week with covid. So I was thinking I would get this decoy thing that go on the FoxPro and take the boy ,predator hunting.
Sportsman warehouse nope doesn't have one that fits my model ,go to North40 ,ya they have it. 75.00$.
I come home get it all setup,my wife says.
You just bought a 75 dollar cat toy,laugh at me and such.
So next day ....today rolls around.
I'm getting pretty excited to try this baby out.
I ask the boy if he wants to come with,he says no.
And he has a cougar tag!
So with the snow storm coming and all.
I was just gonna check one of my trail cam,then about a half mile away in another draw.
So like an hour to check cam,another hour to call.
Checked cam done.
So I walk to this draw,and setup the FoxPro in the bottom in this open spot.
I climbed back up on the side I walked in on.
About a 100 yards from the call.
Now I went through my hand calls night before and found one that sounded like one on the electric call.
I started with a hand call for the first few minutes.
Then a few minute pause ,then fired up the FoxPro.
About half volume,which was a bit quieter than my hand call.
Let it play for 5min,paused for 5 min .
Let it play some more,then paused for a few minutes.
Did my hand call for maybe a minute,then turned the FoxPro back on
This all took place in 30min.
So I'm just thinking yup,waste of time.
And I see something cut across the hillside on the other side of the draw. Then I see it .
Oh crap ,that's a cougar,no freaking way.
It on it way down the hill,then it stops in like a pounce stance.But it's like a good hundred yards up the other side of draw. Kinda facing me but down hill.
It's a little higher up on its side then I was on my side.
Safety comes off ,of course.
So I try to free hand it ,I'm shaking like a leaf.
I'm like we'll maybe it will come down closer.
So I very slow step over to a big fir tree.
So I wait maybe 30 seconds to a minute seemed like forever.
I'm thinking that sucker isn't gonna comment to the call,it's just sitting there.
I was like screw it,put my rifle up against the tree to try and rest it.
Take the shot.
That thing is flip ,flipping all over ,then I see it tumble down the hill ,but behind some brush.
Now by this time the snow is rolling.
I'm like man I better get on it ,I could see blood on the hillside in the snow ,but still the falling snow would cover up a blood trail.
So I drop down grab the call ,start over that way.
I see a set of fresh tracks closer to the call then the cat I shot was. I'm thinking was there two cats or was the one I shot all over here in the brush or what.
So I'm solo here,and I'm seeing tracks that are not from my cat.
I finally found him
Notched my cougar tag for the first time.
Not a giant by any means.
That's the story anyway.
Post by: boneaddict on November 22, 2022, 09:08:12 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 22, 2022, 09:11:09 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 22, 2022, 09:11:36 PM
Post by: idaho guy on November 22, 2022, 09:12:02 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 22, 2022, 09:14:07 PM
Post by: bobcat on November 22, 2022, 09:15:32 PM
Post by: emac on November 22, 2022, 09:16:40 PM
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Post by: highside74 on November 22, 2022, 09:16:55 PM
Post by: Buckhunter24 on November 22, 2022, 09:19:19 PM
Post by: Katalla on November 22, 2022, 09:29:23 PM
Post by: wadu1 on November 22, 2022, 09:32:49 PM
Post by: highcountry_hunter on November 22, 2022, 09:36:39 PM
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Post by: coachteeter on November 22, 2022, 09:38:03 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on November 22, 2022, 09:39:25 PM
Post by: brokentrail on November 22, 2022, 09:40:19 PM
Post by: hunter399 on November 22, 2022, 09:41:00 PM
Some timber there,not a clear cut at all.
Maybe logged once or something 20 years ago.
Post by: Limhangerslayer on November 22, 2022, 09:43:23 PM
Post by: jrebel on November 22, 2022, 09:58:49 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on November 22, 2022, 10:08:38 PM
Post by: Dan-o on November 22, 2022, 11:25:58 PM
Post by: KFhunter on November 22, 2022, 11:31:58 PM
Sounds a lot like my first time with a brand new fox pro, set it up and called in a big cat only I didn't get to shoot it
then I made 100 stands after that and nothing :chuckle:
Post by: trophyhunt on November 23, 2022, 06:30:13 AM
Post by: X-Force on November 23, 2022, 06:31:06 AM
Post by: hunter399 on November 23, 2022, 06:48:27 AM
I will admit pretty lucky,first predator set of the year.
Used 243 win ,savage axis that I've been carrying for a truck gun. My beater gun.
Took a bear and a cougar this year with it.
Those hornady 103 grain eldx .
I've been super impressed this year,hornady did a good job making those bullets for hunters.
Cougar was in that pounce position when I shot.
Bullet went through the neck,into the shoulder ,and I found a chunk of bullet under the hide .
I'll clean that up later and post a pic.
Thanks again for all the positive feed back.
Thank you.👍
I'm sure I'll take the boy out and get skunked on a few sets it's coming.
He still has a cougar tag.
Small game for some bobcat
And a turkey tag.
So I'm gonna keep trying to fill tags.
Post by: JakeLand on November 23, 2022, 06:55:18 AM
Post by: RugerRay on November 23, 2022, 08:24:16 AM
Post by: TommyH on November 23, 2022, 09:26:33 AM
Post by: huntnfmly on November 23, 2022, 10:04:34 AM
Post by: MeepDog on November 23, 2022, 10:04:47 AM
Post by: GASoline71 on November 23, 2022, 10:14:53 AM
Gary
Post by: Mfowl on November 23, 2022, 10:18:13 AM
Post by: powderbounder on November 23, 2022, 12:34:00 PM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on November 23, 2022, 01:01:28 PM
Congrats!!
Post by: h2ofowlr on November 23, 2022, 01:34:12 PM
Post by: goosehunter12 on November 23, 2022, 02:06:42 PM
Post by: hunter399 on November 23, 2022, 02:33:38 PM
Receptionist at WDFW very nice and helpful.
Just a heads up ,make sure there is someone there that can do it before you drive there.
Got that done before the holiday.
Thank you WDFW for making it happen today.
Post by: sjhgraysage on November 23, 2022, 03:55:59 PM
Post by: royalbull on November 23, 2022, 08:59:02 PM
Got the hide sealed.
Receptionist at WDFW very nice and helpful.
Just a heads up ,make sure there is someone there that can do it before you drive there.
Got that done before the holiday.
Thank you WDFW for making it happen today.
They came right to my house in Enumclaw
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on November 24, 2022, 07:50:07 AM
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 08:21:49 AM
Congrats! What sound was on the Foxpro? I need to spend more time chasing cats.That's secret stuff right there.
This is first animal I've called in with a FoxPro.
Dozens of sets with nothing last year.
I was starting to think it was junk,this was the first time using the decoy thing.
I was using cat nip hand call from primos.
With the bay bee cotton tail sound on the FoxPro.
Like said in my story both sounds very similar,my hand call is louder. I started out with that to reach the sound out as far as I could. Then just let the FoxPro do the work of long calling times.
Post by: HUNTIN4SIX on November 24, 2022, 08:31:58 AM
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 08:34:36 AM
Got the hide sealed.
Receptionist at WDFW very nice and helpful.
Just a heads up ,make sure there is someone there that can do it before you drive there.
Got that done before the holiday.
Thank you WDFW for making it happen today.
They came right to my house in Enumclaw
Ya I didn't realize I had to make an appointment with biologists.
So that's my fault.
Receptionist was very nice,made some calls.
And a wardon showed up and did it.
This was in Spokane.
I went out to post falls for an hour or so.
To cabelas and looked around ,they called me and I met the wardon there.
Another part of the reporting I don't understand.
So I did the hide seal.
Went online and reported online last nite.
It says you need to call a hotline and do hide seal.
But in the reg book it says you only need to call hotline if it's late season.
So I'm gonna call Monday and just make sure all my requirements have been met.
Or maybe I read something wrong. :dunno:
Post by: boneaddict on November 24, 2022, 08:37:32 AM
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 08:39:57 AM
Congrats! With your mention of those retail stores we must live in the same vicinity. I want to thank you for your service and duty in killing that deer eatin’ SOB. Fox Pro might be a good Christmas gift for one of my children. We have cats move into our property every year.A lot of times predator hunting stuff will go on sale just after the first of the year.
The FoxPro I use was 100 bucks on sale.
After Christmas sale.
Was looking at cabelas yesterday basically the same model was 200 + .without the decoy jack. :yike:
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 09:06:03 AM
A friend told me with the electric calls ,never go above 3/4
Volume,that they sound fake at full volume.
More realistic sound at 3/4 or lower.
That's why I was using hand call for hi volume.
Another thing I did when I got the decoy thing.
Is I had my call on a tri-pod.
Cheap Amazon basic tripod.
I was trying to bring something up the draw,it didn't work out that way. But I've been putting the call about two feet above the snow level.
That way to make decoy more viable from farther distance.
Like said no expert here.
But those are other things I'm doing that I never did before.
Figured I'd share ,might help. Some one get more predators.
One more tip.
I had seen a bunch of cougar tracks there durring rifle season and went back. The one I shot was not the cat I was targeting. Mine was a sub-adult or juvenile cat.
Not a kitten,not an adult.
I was after big moma or papa. Which by the tracks would be twice the size.
HUNT where the animals live.
Post by: slavenoid on November 24, 2022, 09:39:45 AM
I just picked up a foxpro and did my first stand today. Only called in a Raven. Sightings and pics of cougar, bobcat , and coyotes all around my house daily all of sudden. I was imagining some kind of first time luck and how crazy it would be then 20 minutes in my kid demanded to go home.
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 10:31:15 AM
Congrats that's crazy!Ravens and crows showing are signs that your doing it right.
I just picked up a foxpro and did my first stand today. Only called in a Raven. Sightings and pics of cougar, bobcat , and coyotes all around my house daily all of sudden. I was imagining some kind of first time luck and how crazy it would be then 20 minutes in my kid demanded to go home.
I setup two dozen times last year with nothing.
I always plan on calling 45-60 minutes in my areas.
Just cause I think predators are to use people predator hunting..
And Good luck helps.
Post by: KFhunter on November 24, 2022, 10:31:59 AM
Congrats that's crazy!
I just picked up a foxpro and did my first stand today. Only called in a Raven. Sightings and pics of cougar, bobcat , and coyotes all around my house daily all of sudden. I was imagining some kind of first time luck and how crazy it would be then 20 minutes in my kid demanded to go home.
Taking a kid out predator hunting is...a challenge
Post by: hunter399 on November 24, 2022, 10:35:38 AM
True that.Congrats that's crazy!
I just picked up a foxpro and did my first stand today. Only called in a Raven. Sightings and pics of cougar, bobcat , and coyotes all around my house daily all of sudden. I was imagining some kind of first time luck and how crazy it would be then 20 minutes in my kid demanded to go home.
Taking a kid out predator hunting is...a challenge
I'll be in that boat tomorrow or the next day.
That's when I'm going.
Got a spot I seen a bunch of bobcat tracks in that I'm going to hit up.🙏🤞💪🙏🤞
Post by: rainshadow1 on November 29, 2022, 07:54:20 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 29, 2022, 09:09:17 PM
Thank you, and go kill another one!
Post by: hunter399 on November 30, 2022, 12:55:18 AM
Awesome freaking job!Maybe in April ,when I get a new tag for next year.
Thank you, and go kill another one!
I've been wanting to take the boy out.
He still has a cougar tag.
And I kinda want to predator hunt more than ever now.
I've been waiting for a part for my 4x4 and I don't even know if that's gonna fix it.
Working on some chains for truck also.
The boy will Christmas vacation from school ,I'll try to get him out then.
Post by: Timberstalker on November 30, 2022, 03:32:41 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 30, 2022, 09:00:27 AM
Post by: Sutherland on November 30, 2022, 09:09:30 AM
Post by: HighlandLofts on December 22, 2022, 12:05:46 PM
Post by: redi on December 22, 2022, 12:30:03 PM
Post by: str8meat on December 22, 2022, 05:13:27 PM
Post by: Buckjunkie on December 22, 2022, 06:04:26 PM
I ran into a couple guys years ago near Ellensburg that claimed every time it snowed, they jumped on snow mobiles and ran around looking for tracks. When they found a fresh cat track, they would walk it out. They claimed to have killed five lions in the last three years.
Post by: idaho guy on December 22, 2022, 07:08:12 PM
We should all put as much time into hunting predators as we do hunting deer & elk.
I ram into a couple guys years ago near Ellensburg that claimed every time it snowed, they jumped on snow mobiles and ram around looking for tracks. When they found a fresh cat track, they would walk it out. They claimed to have killed five lions in the last three years.
:yeah: I’m to the point now I actually enjoy the predator hunting more than deer and elk. I think it’s part of our culture where most everyone started out hunting deer and elk-we can easily just stay focused on that. You can pretty much hunt year round in Idaho once you add predators to the menu. I would think Washington could be a predator hunting honey hole. Nice job on the cat hunter399!
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 22, 2022, 10:24:00 PM
Post by: highcountry_hunter on December 22, 2022, 10:36:24 PM
We should all put as much time into hunting predators as we do hunting deer & elk.I’ve always wanted to try this. I think it could be fairly effective as long as you were able to get on a fresh track and in good enough shape to cover the ground.
I ran into a couple guys years ago near Ellensburg that claimed every time it snowed, they jumped on snow mobiles and ran around looking for tracks. When they found a fresh cat track, they would walk it out. They claimed to have killed five lions in the last three years.
I’ve also thought about doing this but also throwing my foxpro in my backpack with the “baying hounds” sound playing full volume.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: jasnt on December 23, 2022, 06:21:16 AM
Post by: hunter399 on December 23, 2022, 07:35:25 AM
Love it, congrats bud. Bet you’re still on cloud 9.Thanks for all the reply guys,thank you.
It was like the predator year for me or something.
No deer or elk ,but got a bear and a cougar.
It was crazy ,like hunting is sometimes.
Post by: jasnt on December 23, 2022, 08:22:09 AM
population density. More predators than prey maybe. Hopefully more predators in your future hunts. Congrats againLove it, congrats bud. Bet you’re still on cloud 9.Thanks for all the reply guys,thank you.
It was like the predator year for me or something.
No deer or elk ,but got a bear and a cougar.
It was crazy ,like hunting is sometimes.
Post by: Seabass on December 23, 2022, 09:40:45 AM
We should all put as much time into hunting predators as we do hunting deer & elk.I’ve always wanted to try this. I think it could be fairly effective as long as you were able to get on a fresh track and in good enough shape to cover the ground.
I ran into a couple guys years ago near Ellensburg that claimed every time it snowed, they jumped on snow mobiles and ran around looking for tracks. When they found a fresh cat track, they would walk it out. They claimed to have killed five lions in the last three years.
I’ve also thought about doing this but also throwing my foxpro in my backpack with the “baying hounds” sound playing full volume.
I know the men you speak of...they were telling the truth.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: rainshadow1 on December 23, 2022, 04:08:45 PM
We should all put as much time into hunting predators as we do hunting deer & elk.I’ve always wanted to try this. I think it could be fairly effective as long as you were able to get on a fresh track and in good enough shape to cover the ground.
I ran into a couple guys years ago near Ellensburg that claimed every time it snowed, they jumped on snow mobiles and ran around looking for tracks. When they found a fresh cat track, they would walk it out. They claimed to have killed five lions in the last three years.
I’ve also thought about doing this but also throwing my foxpro in my backpack with the “baying hounds” sound playing full volume.
I know the men you speak of...they were telling the truth.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They'll line out cross country until they think you're close, so wait until they're doing the double backs and stuff, trying to lose you, then you know they're right there! Switch the hound sounds on and RUN the tracks!