Kitty in Our Elk Hunt Area

[bucknut]

I got to see one up close and personal in NM elk hunting last year.  I was late getting back to the truck to meet my brother at noon. I was hustling and not paying much attention, just cow calling as I fast pace walked. Something just told me to stop and survey the surroundings, (looked elky). Luckily I did. Twenty yards ahead above the path I was gonna take. A large mountain lion was on a log wedged in a rock ledge watching me ready to pounce. I nearly crapped myself. After the initial shock I pulled out my phone and took a couple pics.  Needless to say I did an about face with an arrow on the string. Don't think I wasn't watching my back trail.

[Homebru]

JimB - that cat's a "toad".

Originally posted by Sam McMichael:
To be honest, I don't think I would want to walk up on one of these kitties in the wild. It seems that looking into the face of a cougar is looking in the face of death. They just have a very sinister look about them. Beautiful but sinister.

Sam, I have to admit that coming up on that cat was one of the more exhilarating experiences I've had.....in a good way.

Two years ago a friend was cow-calling for elk.  He got "that feeling".  Started to look around and discovered he had 3 lions looking him over.  He drew and fired a sidearm as he was concerned. They left.

About 20 minutes later, he heard another shot.  Later that day, he re-grouped with a hunting buddy, only to find out that his hunting buddy had the exact same experience (thus the second shot).

Beautiful animals to see.
homebru

[JimB]

JimB - that cat's a "toad".

Yeah,that's by far the biggest one I've known of in that area.I wanted to run in to that one in the worst way but one day he went to the neighboring ranch and killed several sheep.The Government trapper took care of him pretty quick.This happened about a month after that picture was taken.