Post by: flysar on May 11, 2011, 10:33:20 PM
I called state dispatch and they put me in touch with the on call officer for Klickitat County and he gave me permission to kill this cougar on my property before I ever took the first shot. If I was unsuccessful he planned to get a tracker on it.
Set up my blind 20yds away from the kill and set up my game camera. Planned to sit the kill from 7pm until I couldn't keep my eyes open. I prepositioned all of my gear including my 12ga loaded with 00 Buck and my 12" 375JDJ Contender loaded with 220gr FN.
At 6:58 I looked out the bedroom window and sitting over the kill was the cat about 70 yds from my back door. I scrambled to the safe loaded my .270, got a little buck fever and missed.
I sat in the blind until 11pm and couldn't keep my eyes open any longer so came in. At 12:10 I woke up and thought I saw a flash from the game camera, not sure, I waited until I got a couple more flashes so I knew he was back on the kill.
I reloaded my 270, walked my fence line trying to get within range of a spotlight shot. I could see eyes when using my red lens headlamp but when I tried to use my spotlight for the shot he disappeared. Because I was close to my blind I slipped in and about 20 minutes later I heard him dragging our goat, now 40+ yds away from the blind. When I spotlighted the area I settled the croshairs behind the front shoulder and dropped the Tom in his tracks.
The Tom was probably a juvenile , hardly a scratch on him and teeth were not dulled. He was 6'4" long and I'm guessing 120-140lbs.
Game Officer came this morning, we chatted, he took some pictures and left with the cat. Hopefully the cat was working alone.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi736.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx10%2Fflysar%2F5-10658pm.jpg&hash=1218d29c16e0c26317b0422c9b209c659cfbe942)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi736.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx10%2Fflysar%2F5-111215am.jpg&hash=608a955bd68c01ca9a198c94c0af371a6a4ecbdf)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi736.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx10%2Fflysar%2F1.jpg&hash=068d3aa65932cd538cf12dc1d8ad19e0273338c3)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi736.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx10%2Fflysar%2F4.jpg&hash=3f421b7fb17d111455817392d69b9d0616f2082f)
Post by: bucklucky on May 11, 2011, 10:37:08 PM
Post by: grundy53 on May 11, 2011, 10:38:34 PM
Post by: bobcat on May 11, 2011, 10:40:04 PM
Post by: flysar on May 11, 2011, 10:43:58 PM
Very nice! Must've been an exciting night! What are you gonna do with the cat?
Game officer picked it up this morning. No personal gain for depredation kills.
Post by: flysar on May 11, 2011, 10:50:03 PM
Nice, he is about 100 pounds if you weighed him. Glad you were able to kill him before it did more damage
Thanks
I didn't put him on a scale, I was using my goats live weight from last month as a comparison, they felt about the same.
Post by: ORCA_SIX on May 11, 2011, 10:53:10 PM
Post by: Craig on May 11, 2011, 11:06:38 PM
Post by: Ranger91298 on May 11, 2011, 11:15:40 PM
Post by: littlemac on May 11, 2011, 11:17:26 PM
Good job!
Post by: danderson on May 11, 2011, 11:18:34 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on May 11, 2011, 11:19:24 PM
Post by: woodman on May 11, 2011, 11:41:00 PM
Post by: cmiller85 on May 11, 2011, 11:59:15 PM
Too bad they won't let you keep it. >:(
Post by: Houndhunter on May 12, 2011, 12:17:07 AM
Post by: 383man on May 12, 2011, 12:25:54 AM
Post by: PolarBear on May 12, 2011, 01:38:20 AM
Post by: rasbo on May 12, 2011, 03:09:22 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 12, 2011, 06:32:36 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 12, 2011, 06:35:52 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 12, 2011, 07:16:37 AM
Post by: dirty24d on May 12, 2011, 07:17:14 AM
Post by: mulehunter on May 12, 2011, 07:24:42 AM
This is 3 rd cougars killed in this close area with in two months. :yike:
Way too many cats.
Mulehunter.
Post by: flysar on May 12, 2011, 07:34:36 AM
I told the game officer that I had a cougar tag in my pocket for this year as I have done for 20 years previous. He said no cougar, no skull, no hint of personal gain; fair enough, I did get some good pictures.
The officer said after recording some information about the cat they generally reintroduce it to nature, translation, dump it in the woods somewhere... GPS coordinates would be nice!
Never thought about compensation, probably won't ask, figured it's part of life in this part of the country.
Thanks for all of the comments, definitely an experience I'll remember, hopefully the cat was a loner - time will tell.
Post by: flysar on May 12, 2011, 07:38:24 AM
Very nice work. It would be fun chase and treed. :chuckle:
This is 3 rd cougars killed in this close area with in two months. :yike:
Way too many cats.
Mulehunter.
The officer told me the same thing, I guess 2 cats from the same farm, that is why I'm keeping a closer eye - May have to pick up another game cam for monitoring.
Post by: Machias on May 12, 2011, 07:48:41 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 12, 2011, 08:33:50 AM
I wasn't going to call the state and take care of it myself but figured I'd do it right and see what the answer would be. Pleasantly surprised when the state gave me permission, on the spot, without a lot of questions of my motives.
You did the right thing. It would've been nice if they'd let you keep it. Rules is rules.
Post by: aer212 on May 12, 2011, 08:35:35 AM
Post by: flysar on May 12, 2011, 08:41:15 AM
Awesome cat! Was Bolten the officer that responded?
No, it was Frank Imbrie... very professional man to talk with.
Post by: saylean on May 12, 2011, 08:53:11 AM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on May 12, 2011, 08:54:34 AM
Post by: bowtech721 on May 12, 2011, 08:55:27 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on May 12, 2011, 09:35:06 AM
Post by: Kain on May 12, 2011, 11:07:46 AM
Post by: dirty24d on May 12, 2011, 11:08:58 AM
Post by: steen on May 12, 2011, 11:25:24 AM
Post by: flysar on May 12, 2011, 11:28:49 AM
Nice. Too bad you couldnt keep it. I dont really understand the "no benefit from depredation". I guess they dont trust their officers to determine it was a justifiable kill and would rather waste the animal than let it be used.
I think when it is a clear case like this, dead domestic animal and it clearly was shot on my property (I didnt go out hunting for it), it would be nice if they made an exception.
I can also see the flip side and wonder how many hours they might spend trying to prove that a cat was shot by some one trying to protect themselves or property so it makes sense that there is no personal incentive to kill a cat other than protection of self or property.
Post by: Kain on May 12, 2011, 11:37:26 AM
Nice. Too bad you couldnt keep it. I dont really understand the "no benefit from depredation". I guess they dont trust their officers to determine it was a justifiable kill and would rather waste the animal than let it be used.
I think when it is a clear case like this, dead domestic animal and it clearly was shot on my property (I didnt go out hunting for it), it would be nice if they made an exception.
I can also see the flip side and wonder how many hours they might spend trying to prove that a cat was shot by some one trying to protect themselves or property so it makes sense that there is no personal incentive to kill a cat other than protection of self or property.
I agree. Should be officer/biologist discretion. They are going to do a investigation no matter what so I dont think that is really a concern.
Post by: blacktailer on May 12, 2011, 11:37:32 AM
Post by: SW Blacktail on May 12, 2011, 11:52:56 AM
Post by: yakimarcher on May 12, 2011, 12:13:55 PM
Post by: TheHunt on May 12, 2011, 12:18:52 PM
Post by: Gumby98366 on May 12, 2011, 12:24:28 PM
That thing was a BEAST!!!
Post by: bucklucky on May 12, 2011, 01:25:40 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on May 12, 2011, 04:05:46 PM
Post by: NRA4LIFE on May 12, 2011, 04:13:00 PM
Post by: mulehunter on May 12, 2011, 04:31:51 PM
I see your point Charlie, but I also gotta give WDFW credit on this one. They let the guy kill a cougar out of season and even let him do it at night with aid of a spotlight (both punishible offenses). It's nice to see them at least give him permission to remove the animal from his area -- which in the end, is the wanted result. :twocents:
Are we allowed to shoot cougar in night and use spotlight on general season ? Look like I could do that this coming fall since gamewarden down there said ok......... :yike:
Mulehunter. :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on May 12, 2011, 05:24:40 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 12, 2011, 06:11:05 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 12, 2011, 06:16:29 PM
yeah thats crazy .. but they can give authority in a situation like that ..they should let him keep it too ...what are they doing with it ?I see your point Charlie, but I also gotta give WDFW credit on this one. They let the guy kill a cougar out of season and even let him do it at night with aid of a spotlight (both punishible offenses). It's nice to see them at least give him permission to remove the animal from his area -- which in the end, is the wanted result. :twocents:
Are we allowed to shoot cougar in night and use spotlight on general season ? Look like I could do that this coming fall since gamewarden down there said ok......... :yike:
Mulehunter. :chuckle:
Post by: RemingtonMike on May 12, 2011, 06:18:12 PM
Post by: BENCHLEG on May 12, 2011, 06:39:09 PM
Post by: Malardman on May 12, 2011, 06:49:22 PM
Post by: mulehunter on May 12, 2011, 07:18:24 PM
Would it be fun to go shopping few pet goats off Craiglist and set in back yard to let them eat grass and wait.
Mulehunter. :chuckle:
Post by: singleshot12 on May 12, 2011, 07:25:11 PM
Post by: blindpig on May 14, 2011, 08:58:31 AM
Post by: bearpaw on May 14, 2011, 10:27:51 AM
Quote
Personaly , I think that the cougar should have been given to you. As far as Im conderned its waisting a big game animal if thats what the game department is doing with them. Perfectly fresh kill, the meat is good , it should be consumed. Fish and wild life needs to pull there head out of there ass and make some common sence calls with things like this.
I agree. It started out where some were donated to the person losing the livestock, but jealous hunters ruined that by complaining, so nobody gets to keep them now. It is a total waste.
WDFW should man up and just set some policies so that the animals can be used. :twocents:
Post by: Kain on May 25, 2011, 11:31:03 AM
Quote
Dangerous Wildlife Incidents in Washington in the last 30 days
May 20, 2011 – Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County (Cougar)
May 17, 2011 – Yakima, Yakima County (Cougar)
May 16, 2011 – Mansfield, Douglas County (Cougar)
May 13, 2011 – Leavenworth, Chelan County (Cougar)
May 5, 2011 – White Salmon, Klickitat County (Cougar)
May 1, 2011 – Cashmere, Chelan County (Cougar)
May 1, 2011 – Twisp, Okanogan County (Cougar)
April 28, 2011 – , Asotin County (Wolf)
April 28, 2011 – Tum Tum, Stevens County (Cougar)
April 26, 2011 – Royal City, Grant County (Cougar)
Post by: Woodchuck on May 25, 2011, 11:34:33 AM
Post by: Kain on May 25, 2011, 11:45:01 AM
A wolf incident just last month? How in the world could this be?
Not really. Another "unable to verify". :rolleyes:
Quote
Wolf
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
ON 04/30/11 AT 0700 HOURS, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM WDFW AREA BIOLOGIST. HE ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED BY A WDFW EMPLOYEE OF A WOLF ATTACK ON A CALF IN ASOTIN COUNTY. THE INFORMATION WAS THAT LOCAL CATTLEMAN HAD BEEN AT HIS FEED LOT ON COUSE CREEK THE NIGHT BEFORE, WHEN HE CAME ACROSS 3 WOLVES ON A CALF KILL. HE REPORTED THAT HE WALKED WITHIN 15 FEET OF THE 3 WOLVES, WHO STOOD THEIR GROUND AGRESSIVELY AND GROWLED AT HIM. THEY FINALLY LEFT THE AREA. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE "WOLVES" WERE NOT AGGRESSIVE AND RAN AWAY. USDA WILDLIFE SVC ARRIVED AND CONDUCTED AN EXAMINATION OF THE SCENE. BASED ON THE INFORMATION AT THE SCENE AND LACK OF ANY PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND THE STATEMENT FROM THE EMPLOYEE WHO WAS AT THE SCENE, WE WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE WOLF REPORT. IT SEEMS MORE LIKELY THAT THE INCIDENT WAS A COYOTE DEPREDATION.
REPORT INFORMATION
Date/Time of Incident: April 28, 2011 @ 20:00
Date of Report: April 30, 2011
Location: COUSE CREEK RD
County: Asotin
Post by: Woodchuck on May 25, 2011, 11:47:18 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 25, 2011, 11:51:03 AM
Post by: wlandrum on May 25, 2011, 02:39:02 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on May 31, 2011, 12:22:52 PM
Post by: 400out on May 31, 2011, 12:39:17 PM
Post by: zackmioli on June 02, 2011, 12:20:43 AM
Post by: aer212 on August 22, 2011, 09:31:30 PM
Awesome cat! Was Bolten the officer that responded?
No, it was Frank Imbrie... very professional man to talk with.
I had the pleasure of meeting Imbrie a couple weeks ago. Very nice and professional, only problem was he wouldn't tell me where the bears were ;) We went down a logging road that usually has the gate closed but it was open this time. We started to drive down it then thought better and parked on the other side of the road. About a mile in, we heard someone behind us and it was Imbrie. He asked if we saw anyone else drive in there and we said no, but we thought about it. He said good thing you didn't. He checked my license and tags and we just chatted for a bit then he left. I wish Bolten would take some lessons from him.
Post by: TheHunt on August 23, 2011, 09:05:48 PM