Who has killed a mtn lion with trad gear?

[Etter1]

#5124

I have been saving for almost three years now for the hunt and this february, ,me and one of my best friends will be going to the payette river area in Idaho for a ten day mtn lion hunt. I’ve wanted to kill a cougar since I started hunting so this will be a dream come true. The scenery and wildlife will make this hunt for me. I’m going to do my best to kill one with my 1960’s Damon Howatt Rosewood Monterrey

[Don Thomas]

#38699

I’ve had a bit of experience with the subject. Your tackle sounds just fine. Despite what you might think, prepare yourself for some challenging archery. Most people who think shooting a cat out of a tree is the proverbial fish in a barrel have never done it. I’e seen some very good bowhunters de-quiver at the tree, and more than once I’ve had to climb down the mountain looking for arrows so they could get the job done. Don

[Nate Bailey]

#38831

donthomas wrote: I’ve had a bit of experience with the subject. Your tackle sounds just fine. Despite what you might think, prepare yourself for some challenging archery. Most people who think shooting a cat out of a tree is the proverbial fish in a barrel have never done it. I’e seen some very good bowhunters de-quiver at the tree, and more than once I’ve had to climb down the mountain looking for arrows so they could get the job done. Don

I wish we could do this here! Our blacktail herd is getting hit hard!

[Etter1]

#39121

donthomas wrote: I’ve had a bit of experience with the subject. Your tackle sounds just fine. Despite what you might think, prepare yourself for some challenging archery. Most people who think shooting a cat out of a tree is the proverbial fish in a barrel have never done it. I’e seen some very good bowhunters de-quiver at the tree, and more than once I’ve had to climb down the mountain looking for arrows so they could get the job done. Don

I was hoping you would chime in. I own all of your books except for ” the double helix”. Lately I’ve been rereading your essays on lion hunts. Can’t wait! I do take issue with your opinion on walker dogs but I guess everybody can’t be perfect.

[Etter1]

#39142

Also been hitting the gym even harder than usual. I usually run three miles and do 100 stories on the stair climber 3-4 times per week.

And Don, I am concerned about the shooting. I have a self imposed limit of 15 yards or so. Our guides will have a rifle along in case the cat is too high or too covered up to kill with my recurve, but I would really hate for it to happen that way. What’s the average height that you’ve seen them climb to?

Time for me to start practicing those upward shots.

[handirifle]

#39207

Etter1 wrote: Also been hitting the gym even harder than usual. I usually run three miles and do 100 stories on the stair climber 3-4 times per week.

And Don, I am concerned about the shooting. I have a self imposed limit of 15 yards or so. Our guides will have a rifle along in case the cat is too high or too covered up to kill with my recurve, but I would really hate for it to happen that way. What’s the average height that you’ve seen them climb to?

Time for me to start practicing those upward shots.

How the heck do you practice like that? Flu flu’s? Otherwise arrow retreival could take a long time. Remember to bend at the waist , not with just arms. G Fred said it applies either up or down.

What would you shoot AT? Pine cones, maybe?

[Etter1]

#39223

handirifle wrote: [quote=Etter1]Also been hitting the gym even harder than usual. I usually run three miles and do 100 stories on the stair climber 3-4 times per week.

And Don, I am concerned about the shooting. I have a self imposed limit of 15 yards or so. Our guides will have a rifle along in case the cat is too high or too covered up to kill with my recurve, but I would really hate for it to happen that way. What’s the average height that you’ve seen them climb to?

Time for me to start practicing those upward shots.

How the heck do you practice like that? Flu flu’s? Otherwise arrow retreival could take a long time. Remember to bend at the waist , not with just arms. G Fred said it applies either up or down.

What would you shoot AT? Pine cones, maybe?

North Ga is pretty steep. I plan to just head up to my hunting club and find the steepest hill I can find and stump shoot as usual from below. Will probably be walking in a creek and shooting up the cut banks

[Don Thomas]

#39264

Hmm… I don’t know which opinion about Walker’s you’re taking exception to. The worst hound I ever had was a Walker. So was the best one. I think I’ve expressed both sides of that argument before. Yes, get in shape! The physical demands of the hunt vary with the circumstances. If you do it the way we do–no snow machines, no tracking collars–it can be as tough as anything you’ll ever do in the outdoors. Most guides aren’t that mean to their clients, for better or worse. I have yet to figure out a reasonable way to practice shooting up. I tried prior to a leopard hunt years ago. Chances are the lion will tree on a steep slope, in which case a cautious approach from the uphill side will help the angle considerably. What you can practice is shooting through branches, which is really the hard part. Drag a big pine branch in front of your practice target and get used to picking tiny shooting lanes through the obstructions. Final thought–it’s my experience that animals hunted with bow and “backup” rifle usually don’t wind up getting killed with an arrow Only you can decide what to do about that. Don

[dquidort]

#40454

I’ve ran cats a little bit myself. Don’s right. Without tracking collars, motorized vehicles, and by using your own or your friend’s dogs, you will be in for a very challenging and exciting hunt. There is no guarantee on a real hunt. Expect hard going and try to be ready for anything. You may find it to be the hunt of your life! Oh, I might add that it can be addicting.

[Etter1]

#40457

donthomas wrote: Hmm… I don’t know which opinion about Walker’s you’re taking exception to. The worst hound I ever had was a Walker. So was the best one. I think I’ve expressed both sides of that argument before. Yes, get in shape! The physical demands of the hunt vary with the circumstances. If you do it the way we do–no snow machines, no tracking collars–it can be as tough as anything you’ll ever do in the outdoors. Most guides aren’t that mean to their clients, for better or worse. I have yet to figure out a reasonable way to practice shooting up. I tried prior to a leopard hunt years ago. Chances are the lion will tree on a steep slope, in which case a cautious approach from the uphill side will help the angle considerably. What you can practice is shooting through branches, which is really the hard part. Drag a big pine branch in front of your practice target and get used to picking tiny shooting lanes through the obstructions. Final thought–it’s my experience that animals hunted with bow and “backup” rifle usually don’t wind up getting killed with an arrow Only you can decide what to do about that. Don

:DI was mostly messing with you. I read in one of your essays that you dreaded inheriting a pair of walkers from a friend of yours who had recently passed away. I believe by the end of the first few hunts, you were impressed with both of them.

Again, thanks for all of the advice. I can’t wait. It’s been several years in the making and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it. I am going to do everything in my power to get it done with my bow, and my shooting sessions will increase tenfold in the months prior to the hunt. It is entirely likely that this will be the only time I will ever get to chase cats as I live in GA and guided hunt prices are quite salty.

I’ll make sure to post a lot of pictures and stories when I get back in February.

By the way, we are going with Korell Outfitters if anybody has heard of them.

[Etter1]

#40458

dquidort wrote: I’ve ran cats a little bit myself. Don’s right. Without tracking collars, motorized vehicles, and by using your own or your friend’s dogs, you will be in for a very challenging and exciting hunt. There is no guarantee on a real hunt. Expect hard going and try to be ready for anything. You may find it to be the hunt of your life! Oh, I might add that it can be addicting.

This will all be done the hard way. I’m just now praying that we have good snow conditions. Last year, most of the hunts had to be cancelled due to lack of it.

[ChumpMcgee]

#47019

I personally have not but my dad did it several years ago in Utah…be prepared to hike over several mountains

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