Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: trophyhunt on October 24, 2020, 11:01:43 PM

Title: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 24, 2020, 11:01:43 PM: So hunting in Hancock today we saw a huge cougar, this cat was at least 8-9 feet long w it’s tail. Huge head, was about 60-80 yards away when we saw it the first time. Ran to an opening and it ran through before I could get the rifle on the sticks. What is the best way to call this big cat in???? Can he be called in?? Female in heat calls, rabbit in distress, fawn in distress??? Run calls for 30 minutes consistently or????
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: MtnMuley on October 24, 2020, 11:22:41 PM: First off, drink a stiff whiskey and leave out the 8 or 9 foot out if you want to be taken seriously :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: BoomWhop on October 24, 2020, 11:41:02 PM: Box of White Zinfandel, some flattery, for the bigger ones you may need doughnuts, chocolates or ice cream. Tell them "real women have curves" :tup: :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 24, 2020, 11:51:24 PM: Ok, so this is my 5.5 year old male, he’s 7’ from nose to tail. So, tell me I’m crazy for guessing this cat today at 8-9’. I’ll accept your apologies
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 24, 2020, 11:53:29 PM: I asked how to call in a big cat. If you don’t have a clue, wtf are you commenting?
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 05:38:31 AM: I've have some experience with cougars... They are much like a bobcat, very cautious and ambush hunters most of the time. They can and will hang-up for long periods and observe. My advice is a e-caller set as far away as possible but insight of you. Spend an hour minimum calling and have a good sized hunk of fur hanging in/over a bush.In most cases they won't charge in to find out what is going on except when they think another cougar or coyote is taking "their" food.

Camo and little movement is important! These are observations from thermal hunting coyotes.

As for the upright ones..I didn't do anything but look good. They are hunters and do all the work if you have what they want.. :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: stickslinger on October 25, 2020, 06:55:10 AM: This is why huntwa is dying..... way too many trolls just waiting to come out with their snark a$$ remarks offering no insight or advice. Let's just do everyone a favor and sit on your hands!
As far as the cat i don't have a ton of experience getting them to come in, I think luck plays a big role
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: kentrek on October 25, 2020, 07:41:24 AM: Is there a chance mtn muley has a bit of cougar experience? No reason to be offended....its not like he kicked your dog lol

Good luck on the tiger :hello: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: nwwanderer on October 25, 2020, 07:51:03 AM: Good luck with the hunt, hope to see a tape on him!
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: jasnt on October 25, 2020, 08:09:40 AM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,185537.0.html

You can most certainly call him in
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: bornhunter on October 25, 2020, 08:33:20 AM: Never measured my cat until now. A tom just shy of 7 ft at 2 years old. For what its worth :dunno:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 08:38:52 AM: Quote from: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 05:38:31 AM
I've have some experience with cougars... They are much like a bobcat, very cautious and ambush hunters most of the time. They can and will hang-up for long periods and observe. My advice is a e-caller set as far away as possible but insight of you. Spend an hour minimum calling and have a good sized hunk of fur hanging in/over a bush.In most cases they won't charge in to find out what is going on except when they think another cougar or coyote is taking "their" food.

Camo and little movement is important! These are observations from thermal hunting coyotes.

As for the upright ones..I didn't do anything but look good. They are hunters and do all the work if you have what they want.. :chuckle:
thanks, what type of call should I use? This will be in western wa and prob around mid December. Cougar in heat, distressed deer or rabbit etc? Volume up all the way ? Thanks again.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 08:40:12 AM: Quote from: BoomWhop on October 24, 2020, 11:41:02 PM
Box of White Zinfandel, some flattery, for the bigger ones you may need doughnuts, chocolates or ice cream. Tell them "real women have curves" :tup: :chuckle:
ok, this is funny!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Tenkara on October 25, 2020, 08:41:28 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on October 24, 2020, 11:53:29 PM
I asked how to call in a big cat. If you don’t have a clue, wtf are you commenting?
Relax, that was funny.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: MtnMuley on October 25, 2020, 08:47:08 AM: I guess you missed the :chuckle: trophyhunt? Figured your 11PM post could use a chuckle. Anyhow, wasn't meant to hurt your feelings.......

By the way, I've called in lions, hiked em down, and killed em with dogs. Hope you find him again. :tup:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 08:51:46 AM: Quote from: MtnMuley on October 25, 2020, 08:47:08 AM
I guess you missed the :chuckle: trophyhunt? Figured your 11PM post could use a chuckle. Anyhow, wasn't meant to hurt your feelings.......

By the way, I've called in lions, hiked em down, and killed em with dogs. Hope you find him again. :tup:
no hurt feelings at all, it was a beer night. I missed the chuckle, but honest question, do you think there is no way it’s 8’ long?
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: MtnMuley on October 25, 2020, 08:58:59 AM: Big lions can get 8. My best is 7'10" and he was an ancient lion. Weighed 110 and was skin and bones missing one canine completely rotted out and the other broke off. Killed another 145# tom that was 7'1". A lot of the weight depends on food sources. I've seen a few over 8' mounted and they're definitely out there, but few and far between. 9' is unheard of in my opinion.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 09:25:39 AM: Well this cat, was huuuuge! He just walked up on 4 of us talking in the road. Hope to put some time on him w a caller.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 09:58:02 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 08:38:52 AM
Quote from: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 05:38:31 AM
I've have some experience with cougars... They are much like a bobcat, very cautious and ambush hunters most of the time. They can and will hang-up for long periods and observe. My advice is a e-caller set as far away as possible but insight of you. Spend an hour minimum calling and have a good sized hunk of fur hanging in/over a bush.In most cases they won't charge in to find out what is going on except when they think another cougar or coyote is taking "their" food.

Camo and little movement is important! These are observations from thermal hunting coyotes.

As for the upright ones..I didn't do anything but look good. They are hunters and do all the work if you have what they want.. :chuckle:
thanks, what type of call should I use? This will be in western wa and prob around mid December. Cougar in heat, distressed deer or rabbit etc? Volume up all the way ? Thanks again.

The ones I've called in were with rabbit and fawn distress. I've tried the Mt. Lion calls with no luck but it was during the day. (Actually calling cougars.) I always start low then go higher the longer I call and taper at the end. I can't state how important it is to have the focus not on you and to move as little as possible. They see something they don't like and they are gone even at night.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 10:07:52 AM: So I’ve been using my buddies foxpro firestorm, is it normal for these to eat up batteries? I did 4 30 minute sets the other day for bear and the brand new batteries died after the fourth set??? Is there a better e caller To buy?
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 10:41:02 AM: Quote from: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 10:07:52 AM
So I’ve been using my buddies foxpro firestorm, is it normal for these to eat up batteries? I did 4 30 minute sets the other day for bear and the brand new batteries died after the fourth set??? Is there a better e caller To buy?

Wow! I forget which one I have? Paid $169.00 at Cabelas years ago. I get 5 times that out of a set of batteries easily.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 10:44:00 AM: Quote from: Cougartail on October 25, 2020, 10:41:02 AM
Quote from: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 10:07:52 AM
So I’ve been using my buddies foxpro firestorm, is it normal for these to eat up batteries? I did 4 30 minute sets the other day for bear and the brand new batteries died after the fourth set??? Is there a better e caller To buy?

Wow! I forget which one I have? Paid $169.00 at Cabelas years ago. I get 5 times that out of a set of batteries easily.
seriousy, this thing is terrible!!
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 10:54:13 AM: What about ICOtec with the decoy, little flag that moves right on the caller? Or should I stick w foxpro and hope the newer firestorm is better on batteries?? Which caller should I buy???
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: rainshadow1 on October 25, 2020, 11:27:46 AM: Vocals! VocalsVocalsVocals!

That's my thing, anyway. Check my website at www.rain-shadow.com for the call-in story page, lots to be learned there.

But I think using their own sounds is a HUGE advantage.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 11:56:31 AM: Sounds like a good package deal, but I need a caller first, one that will download your series of calls. And I want to stick with an e caller not mouth call. Don’t mind getting close but I want the cat to be focused on the caller and not me. I’d like to be 50-100 yards out.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: justyhntr on October 25, 2020, 12:15:21 PM: I've had no luck in Hancock(Kapowsin) with e-callers, we use to have a FoxaPro Shockwave. It's been a couple years since we've been in there but back then there was a few guys running them, maybe to much. 2 years ago we had 3 interactions calling cougars in Kapowsin, all 3 started with coyote vocals. One started coming towards us with just coyote vocals the other 2 came in on a standard set that I ended with cougar whistles from rainshadows hand call. Both times they were answering back. It's just my observation but the cougars in Kapowsin are very territorial and don't like coyotes and will respond to howls.We once cut some track and started following them, when the cat came across some coyote tracks he followed them, we tracked him quite a ways following that coyote. Our standard set was/is, 3-4 howls, wait 10 minutes, rabbit distress, wait a couple minutes then pup distress, wait 10 more minutes then cougar whistles. It's not the standard way to call based on others experience but it works for us. Go get him!
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 12:25:49 PM: A couple years ago in the same exact area I had a coyote going crazy down the road, walked right by me. If I had waited 1 more minute before stepping out on the road from the ditch, a cat would have walked right in front of me. I steeped out on the road and just then the cat crested the hill in the road walking my way. Never got a shot.

So what do you guys think of this caller?

https://allpredatorcalls.com/foxpro-fusion-with-100-custom-sounds-in-kryptek-highlander-camo-with-tx1000-remote-control/
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Elkslayer on October 25, 2020, 04:13:50 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/689a1e629b7b97a787c599914a855a41.jpg)
Foxpro Fusion worked great on this guy. I usually get about 4-5hours of continuous calling out of a set of batteries but I’m running at high volume when I call for cats.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 04:18:12 PM: That’s awesome elkslayer, Congrats
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Elkslayer on October 25, 2020, 04:27:21 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201025/9ca72a53f738304d81e676e3154aafe8.jpg)
Killed this big male last month while elk hunting and he measured 7’8” tip of nose to tip of the tail and weighed just shy of 150. I’m no expert by any means but I’m sure there’s some 8’ lions running around out there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2020, 04:49:00 PM: Agree!! Pretty sure the one we saw yesterday was at least 8’
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: Katmai Guy on October 25, 2020, 05:32:36 PM: Called what appeared to be a young cat in a few years ago using cottontail in distress with Foxpro Fusion witha decoy attachment. It winded me as it passed on the road I was hidden next to, and stopped. The decoy started again and the cat just started creaping towards it. I blew the shot otherwise I'd have a pic. Had been told by a couple guys who have called in cats, that they like higher pitched sounds and continously calling, so that's what I use. :twocents:
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 25, 2020, 06:26:48 PM: I'm using a closed reed fawn call. Should I be doing five minute runs on the call, or even longer. I set up yesterday mid day and was calling for about 20 seconds every few minutes but I realize e callers most likely run longer continuously.
Title: Re: How to call in a big cougar?????
Post by: jasnt on October 25, 2020, 09:41:14 PM: My favorite call ins are with cougar vocals. Much easier to find them when they are talking back