Calling Cougars?

[Ridgeratt]

Looks like gmus 169, 172, 181, 186 closed. They were in a group hunt area, all four gmus combined under one quota

I'm confused. Is there cougar hunting and this is a "cougar" GMU now with a single quota, or have they shut cougar hunting down completely?

The GMUs have a quota of the number of females allowed to be harvested. GMU105 used to be a total of 2 I believe. Once they have been shot the unit is closed.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-415-100&pdf=true

[pianoman9701]

Ridiculous.

[Ridgeratt]

Are you acquainted with the term. "Were from the Government and here to help"

[nwwanderer]

8 GMUs are closed per WDFW site

[rainshadow1]

Appreciate you guys keeping tabs on the politics sticking their bony, diseased fingers into our lives via the closures...


Just posted a new video! Jeff, walks us through the story of his September cat. Includes some footage from the day of!

It's a half-hour, but it's really worth watching! Check it out!

Look for "Jeff 2023" on my Call-in Video Page.

https://rain-shadow.com/cougar-story-videos-1

[2MANY]

Your call in page is awesome.
About once a year I re-read it.
Good stuff.

[rainshadow1]

Thanks 2Many, I'm trying to build what I would have wanted to find when I started targeting mountain lions...

Speaking of that...


I've had quite a few people ask me if I have a Heat sound.

I do now.

I didn't for a long time, because my theory (which I still stand by) is that you draw all Cats with mellow communicative sounds, and you only draw specific Cats with aggressive sounds.

Heat is fairly aggressive.

But as I learn from my own collection of cougar calling stories, Heat can and will call more than just Big Toms. It seems to call others in a territorial response, but other cats are territorial too. So there is more than just that ONE application of a heat sound.

So, thanks to the great trail camera audio captures from Rodney in the South Lake Roosevelt region, now RainShadow has a Heat sequence.

I added it to the Vocals package, but for those of you who already have my vocal sequences, I added it as a stand-alone download (for me it's on page 3 of the e-store, phone and computer) between AFC and MR on the Products page.

Bidenomics notwithstanding, I haven't increased any prices.

https://rain-shadow.com/rainshadow-products

Thanks! Go out after 'em!

[6.5 Marshall]

When calling in cougars when is a good time to play a in heat sound?

[hunter399]

When calling in cougars when is a good time to play a in heat sound?

Any sound is worth trying once.
Mating and all that you can look up on that Google pop .
Cougars can mate any time,like a very large house cat.
Kittens are mostly oberserved spring and early summer,3 month gestation period.

Since this topic is just calling cougars(no specific area)

I'll tell ya the secret formala.
There isn't one,like kung fu Panda.

Sounds that are bringing crows,bluejays, magpie,maybe a hawk,birds of prey .
Will tell ya that it sounds realistic at least.
Every area is different,just keep trying different sounds.
Same goes everyone has a distinct call pattern ,that is the best.
Truth is it just depends on how hungry predators are,and how available food is for predators in your area.
Cougars hunting,better be deer in the area, otherwise move to an area that holds deer.

With all that said.....
I start at a low volume. Work my volume up as I pause.
My favorite sound is baybee rabbit, second is cotton tail.
I usually start out with hand call at medium volume for a minute.
Pause few minutes,then let the fox pro run few minutes low volume,pause,working up to 3/4 volume.
I never go full volume,makes the speaker sound strange,not realistic.
Coyote I'll call 30min
Cougar an hour sometimes.
Done calling always sit and wait ten minutes before leaving.

Like said never hurts try your own thing,or change up every set,till something works for you.
Good luck ,go get a big one.

Ohh and last nite I was kidding and kinda not.
Did ya go to YouTube .
Put ......Cougar hunting Washington state........in the search bar.
I believe there are a few videos of people getting cats in western Washington.

Keep at it, we need more people predator hunting,when you do get something.
You'll never stop doing it.

[6.5 Marshall]

When calling in cougars when is a good time to play a in heat sound?

Any sound is worth trying once.
Mating and all that you can look up on that Google pop .
Cougars can mate any time,like a very large house cat.
Kittens are mostly oberserved spring and early summer,3 month gestation period.

Since this topic is just calling cougars(no specific area)

I'll tell ya the secret formala.
There isn't one,like kung fu Panda.

Sounds that are bringing crows,bluejays, magpie,maybe a hawk,birds of prey .
Will tell ya that it sounds realistic at least.
Every area is different,just keep trying different sounds.
Same goes everyone has a distinct call pattern ,that is the best.
Truth is it just depends on how hungry predators are,and how available food is for predators in your area.
Cougars hunting,better be deer in the area, otherwise move to an area that holds deer.

With all that said.....
I start at a low volume. Work my volume up as I pause.
My favorite sound is baybee rabbit, second is cotton tail.
I usually start out with hand call at medium volume for a minute.
Pause few minutes,then let the fox pro run few minutes low volume,pause,working up to 3/4 volume.
I never go full volume,makes the speaker sound strange,not realistic.
Coyote I'll call 30min
Cougar an hour sometimes.
Done calling always sit and wait ten minutes before leaving.

Like said never hurts try your own thing,or change up every set,till something works for you.
Good luck ,go get a big one.

Ohh and last nite I was kidding and kinda not.
Did ya go to YouTube .
Put ......Cougar hunting Washington state........in the search bar.
I believe there are a few videos of people getting cats in western Washington.

Keep at it, we need more people predator hunting,when you do get something.
You'll never stop doing it.

alright yeah thats good to hear from another hunter, its always funny to see the birds swoop down at it. The whole volumne thing is a game changer for me I would always play it full blast so thats great to know. Im also struggling with the whole patience thing too lol I always want to get up after 15 minutes but I know if I put in the time ill get one. Gotta throw in some hand calls too got one for my birthday and the first weekend we used it we heard a bob scream

Watched tons of videos on cat hunting last night and learned a bunch for this area that will be changing are whole approach

Thanks for your time and Support!

[hunter399]

When calling in cougars when is a good time to play a in heat sound?

Any sound is worth trying once.
Mating and all that you can look up on that Google pop .
Cougars can mate any time,like a very large house cat.
Kittens are mostly oberserved spring and early summer,3 month gestation period.

Since this topic is just calling cougars(no specific area)

I'll tell ya the secret formala.
There isn't one,like kung fu Panda.

Sounds that are bringing crows,bluejays, magpie,maybe a hawk,birds of prey .
Will tell ya that it sounds realistic at least.
Every area is different,just keep trying different sounds.
Same goes everyone has a distinct call pattern ,that is the best.
Truth is it just depends on how hungry predators are,and how available food is for predators in your area.
Cougars hunting,better be deer in the area, otherwise move to an area that holds deer.

With all that said.....
I start at a low volume. Work my volume up as I pause.
My favorite sound is baybee rabbit, second is cotton tail.
I usually start out with hand call at medium volume for a minute.
Pause few minutes,then let the fox pro run few minutes low volume,pause,working up to 3/4 volume.
I never go full volume,makes the speaker sound strange,not realistic.
Coyote I'll call 30min
Cougar an hour sometimes.
Done calling always sit and wait ten minutes before leaving.

Like said never hurts try your own thing,or change up every set,till something works for you.
Good luck ,go get a big one.

Ohh and last nite I was kidding and kinda not.
Did ya go to YouTube .
Put ......Cougar hunting Washington state........in the search bar.
I believe there are a few videos of people getting cats in western Washington.

Keep at it, we need more people predator hunting,when you do get something.
You'll never stop doing it.

alright yeah thats good to hear from another hunter, its always funny to see the birds swoop down at it. The whole volumne thing is a game changer for me I would always play it full blast so thats great to know. Im also struggling with the whole patience thing too lol I always want to get up after 15 minutes but I know if I put in the time ill get one. Gotta throw in some hand calls too got one for my birthday and the first weekend we used it we heard a bob scream

Watched tons of videos on cat hunting last night and learned a bunch for this area that will be changing are whole approach

Thanks for your time and Support!

Like said millions of different ways,every person will tell ya different.

My thoughts process is.

The first minute with a hand call at medium,or good volume.
Is something getting attacked.
Then pause for two minutes or so.
Then the low volume of fox pro is the struggle continues.2-3 minutes.
This is not to scare any critters that may be close by.
Pause 2-3 minutes,turn volume up a bit.
This is to reach out further distance,to more critters.
Continue this process till you are 3/4 volume on fox pro,maybe a hair above 3/4.
Never full volume.
At the end ,when your ready to leave use hand call again,wait your ten minutes to leave.

Basically your using your hand call for full volume, allowing the fox pro to do most your dirty work in between.
Of course you know a mile between sets.
But I've done a 20 minute set before ,moved a half mile done another set and picked up a coyote before.
Nothing wrote in stone.
Just a different thing to try,maybe someone will chime in with there pattern.
Which I encourage you to try there's as well.
I also encourage you to tweak it yourself,its just a base recipe.
Good luck.

[hunter399]

Another tip ....
Don't over call one area.

In an ideal world ,you would have 4 different cams,miles apart with four different cats.
You could call each area twice a week. Then move on to the other area the next week.
Mathematically the odds are stacked against you,unless you got four cams with cats.
Cougar that is sitting on a kill with a full belly is not gonna come in,most likely.

I had a cougar on cam all summer, opening day called a few hours.
Left didn't come back for a month, checked cam,cougar was on cam September 2.
The next day,I'll never know. Should I have went back the next day.
Did the cat hear my call the day before.
Was he hungry.
Was my setup flawed. 
Alot of don't know when it comes to cat hunting.


All I'm saying is call one day,come back and try again another time.
The way cats stash there kills and all that. You never know what day is gonna be hungry day for a cat.

Another tip that goes against what people tell ya.

Is I like draws.
Setup in a draw ,with a game trail,creek,or something that brings deer through it.
Fox pro in the bottom,setup on one side. Watch the other side from a 100-300 yards out.
I think a lot of times cats come in ,but don't fully comment to call.
Draws are easy to catch them wandering around on the other side,while your hidden on one side.

That's all I got man.
Biggest thing keep at it.

[6.5 Marshall]

Another tip ....
Don't over call one area.

In an ideal world ,you would have 4 different cams,miles apart with four different cats.
You could call each area twice a week. Then move on to the other area the next week.
Mathematically the odds are stacked against you,unless you got four cams with cats.
Cougar that is sitting on a kill with a full belly is not gonna come in,most likely.

I had a cougar on cam all summer, opening day called a few hours.
Left didn't come back for a month, checked cam,cougar was on cam September 2.
The next day,I'll never know. Should I have went back the next day.
Did the cat hear my call the day before.
Was he hungry.
Was my setup flawed. 
Alot of don't know when it comes to cat hunting.


All I'm saying is call one day,come back and try again another time.
The way cats stash there kills and all that. You never know what day is gonna be hungry day for a cat.

Another tip that goes against what people tell ya.

Is I like draws.
Setup in a draw ,with a game trail,creek,or something that brings deer through it.
Fox pro in the bottom,setup on one side. Watch the other side from a 100-300 yards out. 
I think a lot of times cats come in ,but don't fully comment to call.
Draws are easy to catch them wandering around on the other side,while your hidden on one side.

That's all I got man.
Biggest thing keep at it.

 

[rainshadow1]

When calling in cougars when is a good time to play a in heat sound?

You will eventually throw the kitchen sink at them! But ideally, you use the heat sound when you know the cat you're going for is a big tom. Likely the dominant tom of the area, or thinks he can be if he tries hard enough.

[rainshadow1]

Just posted NC8 on the Story page #2

Great Spot and stalk story!

https://rain-shadow.com/cougar-calling-stories-2