Anybody done it, not incidentally but actively seeking them?
How would be the best ways to go about it, electronic calls?
I've maybe seen one in 29 years, maybe. So definitely never had a chance even incidentally.
HuntingBC Champ
Anybody done it, not incidentally but actively seeking them?
How would be the best ways to go about it, electronic calls?
I've maybe seen one in 29 years, maybe. So definitely never had a chance even incidentally.
Last edited by TheObserver; 11-23-2022 at 07:20 PM.
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HuntingBC Champ
hmmm one of my best friends is PRIMO mountain lion..lynx.. guide/outfitter who runs a really class act in the valleys that the #1 cougar was harvested from...with hounds..
heard of one guy who decided to hunt cougar without hounds.
He did what I would have done..he cruised the back roads looking for BIG tracks that were fresh..fresh fresh then parked the truck and hiked in after the cat...he did this numerous times until he actually found the cat...and proceded to wound the cat and went to seek Dougs assistance and dogs to find the cat and end the animals suffering.
I have seen numerous cougars in the wild..non was I ever hunting..
best way to harvest a cougar..guide outfitter in GREAT area with proven track record of success
did I mention SKINNER CREEK OUTFITTERS ?
without those tremendous advantages..hmmmmm
drive those back roads looking for fresh tracks in the snow...fresh large tracks..then go for a long hike while packing a tag and rifle...
calling doesn't ensure a cat is even in the same postal code
finding fresh tracks tells you one WAS in that spot ..smoking hot large track..= BIG cat fairly recently..
time effort best use of your time your effort...guided..
my .02
Srupp
HuntingBC Champ
No money for guide, young guy changing careers soon in the new year. I'm sure experienced guide with hounds is the best way though!Originally Posted by srupp
There is one going through one of my Blacktail areas right now and trying to see a way I could take him on my own. I know it's a long shot.
HuntingBC Champ
hmm I hear you...find the fresh tracks in snow...trail the cat..
calling I think is a really long shot IMO..however what an acomplishment...
knowing one is in the area is a hell of a good start...they are entering the wintering deer areas.
Best of luck..straight shooting
cheers
Steven
HuntingBC Champ
You know where one is hanging out.
Go very soon after a snow and find the tracks.
Find a good spot nearby and use the e-caller.
I treed one once by running after it. But that one crossed the road in front of me into a small patch of trees.
And he/she was young. Lol....
Had another cat cross in front of the truck earlier that year.
BIG bugger, bigger than me.
A known horse killer.
I didn't chase him.
you only go around once
I knew a guy who chased cats on foot. He would move on fresh sign and bark like a dog while running. I dont know if he ever caught up to one. I too will be out looking to track down a cat myself. I am pretty old so I dont expect to actually catch up to one but it will be fun trying!
Senior Member
Virtually every year there is one or maybe two hunters that bring a cougar in here with a common story. i.e." I was sitting a stump (log, rock, atv seat and etc) minding my own business playing with my can call (cow/calf elk call, squalling rabbit coyote call or ?) when this cougar stuck its head out of the bushes or walked up behind me or ???? and I shot it".
Callers are more successful at attracting big cats than one might expect. Finding fresh cat tracks in fresh fallen snow before calling is a successful ploy for harvesting bobs and Lynx. Big Boar related hunting with a guide that used this technique to get Dave a Lynx in short order. It would probably also eventually get a houndless hunter a cougar with enough tries. My experience with the method has not yielded a cougar rug but twice I have found where a cougar followed my back trail until it could watch me calling. The cats then left without me even knowing they were there until I found their tracks on top of mine.
They do come when called if you can first get close enough for them to hear you. The group I used to hunt with in Arizona was successful in calling in a couple cougars while coyote calling, but then they also called in an ostrich (?) on one of the group hunts.
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living."
HuntingBC Champ
A dog that will chase a cat can tree one. Just sayin. Get a game dog close following a snow track. You do not need a track dog . Biggest cougar in BC caught with border collies.
It is well to try and journey ones road and to fight with the air.Man must die! At worst he can die a little sooner." (H Ryder Haggard)
Conspiracy Buster !
Yeah but many a solo dog chasing a cat ended up cat food . I have known alot of cougar hunters (with dogs) but none with only one dog .
I don't know if a human on foot could tree a cougar ? I would think calling would be the best option . Not counting when I was with a friend and his hounds I have only run into cougar 3 times and only one that I could have shot as it was on a kill .
Originally Posted by Spy
HuntingBC Champ
I've started researching it a bit and calling, so i'll see what sounds like the best way to go about it and maybe try it out in the next while here. I thought of a decoy with scent but nothing more than an idea at this point.
I heard waiting over a fresh kill is good but what are the chances of finding one.... pretty low. They intentionally drag it to cover to make it hard for ravens to find I believe. Though ravens were on the one I just found but it wasn't that fresh I think the cat was done with it.
Question when do they mate anyone know?
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