Mountain Lion Shot In Arkansas

[Chief Grey Bear]

Thats what I meant by hunting the animal on his level.

Indians ate Prongs all the time. That is the skill level I enjoy.

100 yrds is about my high water mark. I'm not a bow hunter anymore but 95% of my shots have been well within bow range.

[fishinwrench]

I fish and I've spent enough time in the outdoors to feel comfortable without having to shoot everything that's bigger than me cause I'm scared for my life.

Again , if you're not comfortable being around WILD animals then stick to petting zoos and the Animal Planet channel!!!

Claiming that you're perfectly comfortable around large wild animals doesn't come from being a "true seasoned outdoorsman", it comes from being a niave wannabe country boy who has only had one type of large animal experience.

Even tame animals can jack you up if you get too comfortable around them.

A cougar that more than likely knows I am there (or knows SOMETHING is there) and is closing the distance would certainly concern ME, and how close I allow him to get before I assure some dominance over the meeting would probably just depend on my mood at the time.

I'd hate to be laying in the intensive care unit wishing I had shot it instead of trying to shoo it away, making it even more curious so that it just backs off out of sight and waits for me to make another move. That's what apex predators do ya know?

[Feathers and Fins]

Glen, I am very comfortable around large animals and venomous ones. I am least comfortable around people. I know there is always a chance an animal can attack and you can watch for warning signs to help stay safe BUT a person will bite kick stab and all in the back when you are not looking.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah, you are comfortable because you know how to be careful, and know what to look for.

Not everyone in this area is hip to cougar body english. Maybe they DO come up just for a sniff and a scratch behind the ears. But at this point that is not what I have been taught, so....

I guess that makes me a bigger danger to the cat, than the cat is to me. I'm good with that.

[5bites]

I'm not hip on hunting any animal over bait.

That includes food plots too.

I like to hunt the animal on his level. To me that is what makes you a hunter.

And I don't like all these 4,5, and 600 yard shots that are in vogue now. That's not hunting to me.

See I disagree here. I'm down with long distance anything. That's a different skill set that is intriguing to me. I've never done it and around here it's not exactly an option. I'd roll a coyote at 600yds and enjoy it though if I was capable and in a place safe for it.

[laker67]

Yeah, you are comfortable because you know how to be careful, and know what to look for.

Not everyone in this area is hip to cougar body english. Maybe they DO come up just for a sniff and a scratch behind the ears. But at this point that is not what I have been taught, so....

I guess that makes me a bigger danger to the cat, than the cat is to me. I'm good with that.

here kitty kitty

[5bites]

you are one of the guys that should stay at home on the couch where the most dangerous animal you have to worry about is your pussy cat. A true outdoorsman enjoys watching nature as well as the sport of the hunt , if big animals scare you...

I'm not scared of big animals. I have a gun. If I feel threatened I'll take it out. Top of the food chain for a reason. Like wrench said, I'm not ok with laying in the ar wishing is have taken it out instead of hurting some keyboard jockeys feelings lol.

I'll hunt when I want to hunt and protect myself when I feel it's necessary.

[Chief Grey Bear]

See I disagree here. I'm down with long distance anything. That's a different skill set that is intriguing to me. I've never done it and around here it's not exactly an option. I'd roll a coyote at 600yds and enjoy it though if I was capable and in a place safe for it.

And thats fine I guess. Not exactly sporting though.

Its sounds like you and wrench need to stick to fishing. Less danger is involved. Except for the occasional self hook set. I know I done it a few times!!!

[ScottK]

Sure glad I read this thread last night before bed. Made the walk in to the stand a little more interesting this morning.

Did get a decent 7 pointer at 7:00 though. (He was coming right at me, what could I do...)

[Wayne SW/MO]

When we elk hunted in the snow, about 2/3 rds of the time, we always saw cat tracks and often not far from camps. We never saw the cats though. Twice when conditions were right, very rarely, I saw cat tracks out by my barn in Oregon. never saw a cat, never lost a dog.

The only time I was cautious was in my last hunt which was a BP hunt. I enede up on a mountain completely alone and where I had often elk hunted. I knew there was a good population of cats and that didn't bother me in daylight, but a return in the evening would, especilly with the only practical way back through a brushy area. My solition was to relax and not hunt the evening.

Our place was up on the side of a butte and the valley below was part agriculture and part cattle producing. Every February he coyotes were thick in the cattle heards chowing down on after birth. I never saw them on a calf and the ranchers ignored them. I'm thinking their experince was that the coyotes wern't a threat and they hould have know.

I know they will respond to anguish calls and how quick and how persitant always seems to depend on their experince with man. I have pulled them off of stalking antelope and I'm sure when things get tough they will go after deer. I seriously doubt calves are very high on thier list.