Who's killed a cougar with trad gear?

[Gen273]

Wow, I would love to hunt one.

[Bill Turner]

This post comes back every year and I never get tired of it. Every time I think about lion hunting Walt Francis and his cat come to mind. Now that is a cat. Good luck and be sure you get in shape.

[SheltonCreeker]

Good stuff! Id like to put a cat on the lodge pole before I'm finished!

[wyo kill stick]

Be prepared for anything. I shot mine about 15ft up and about 10 yards from base of tree. I've had them close enough you could jump up and grab their tail to way the hell up there where you would be hard pressed to thread a bullet through much less an arrow. In the country we hunt most the lions we tree are about 15 to 25 ft up and 10 to 15 yards from the base and most of them open enough to get a good shot through.You can't be in too good of shape.Enjoy the hunt and remember the hunt is about the dogs and the country- a lion is just icing on the cake. let me know if I can be of any help.

[Faithful]

There are some nice cats posted here. I used to run dogs for bobcats and cougars in Oregon. It is certainly all about the dogs. Usually not much to the shooting part. However, hunting big cats in the snow is a lot of fun and a great experience, particularly if you do it with friends and family.

[pamike]

i killed a 200# tom in Utah about 3 years ago.  shot was 25 yds.  i will try to post pics later.  one of my favorite hunts - awesome experience!!

[boinky]

there is to be ZERO discussion about any non-trad bowhunting weapons.

[Etter]

Sorry guys.  I don't know why he joined here either.  

I'm so pumped up.  We are less than two months away from departure for Idaho.  It gets worse every day!

[chilcotin hillbilly]

Originally posted by pamike:
i killed a 200# tom in Utah about 3 years ago.  shot was 25 yds.  i will try to post pics later.  one of my favorite hunts - awesome experience!!

Did you actually see it being weighed or did the guide just tell you that. ???

[Etter]

I have talked to dozens of outfitters in the planning of this hunt and only one ever claimed to have killed one that weighed 200lbs.  

Most claim that adult toms weigh about 120lbs.  These have all been Idaho hunts which are the largest cats in the US.  I'd love to see a sure enough 200lber.  

Not doubting you.  I just know how a lot of guides and hunters exagerate.

[Etter]

Not long now!!!!!!!!!!

[Gehrke145]

Haven't killed one but I've seen one or two.  As far as weight goes, it really depends on where your hunting.  The high country cats I hunt are way bigger then the ones in the desert country.

[jon]

These are some nice cat pics. Got a tag that I drew in my pocket and I'm just waiting for the right track. Been looking behind my house(unit 200) for 3 weeks. The houdsmen are in another unit because of these %#&* wolves. One of them lost 3 dogs that had treed a cat to the wolves last week. The biggest one I have personally seen was shot by a 12 year old girl last month. They ran it for 3 days and it was a real monster, easily pushing 180#'s. I have a pic if anyone can help me figure out how to post it.

Jon

[JimB]

Make sure it was a trad kill if you post it.

[Etter]

Getting pretty concerned about the snow conditions in central Idaho.  

We are leaving this thursday.

[freebird134]

Great thread!  I'm from Idaho originally but never hunted cats there.  One day!

Where abouts are you going? Unit/town?

[Etter]

We hunted near Lowman and Garden Valley.  I'm sorry to report that I didn't get a lion.  We had no snow to speak of and had to bare ground hunt the entire time.  We did tree an adult female on the first day and I lost the coin toss to my buddy who killed her.  It was awesome.  

I saw thousands of elk, mule deer, whitetails, and walked a TON of miles in those mountains.  Our guides were incredible with great dogs but without snow, lion hunting is nearly impossible.  

Even without a hide to bring home, it was probably the greatest hunt of my life.  I will be back for sure.

[Etter]

I do want to add for sure that if somebody is looking for a good lion hunt in the western US, Korell Outfitters is who you need to call.  

I'm certain that the only reason I didn't get a shot at a good tom was because of the horrible snow conditions.  

I know hound dogs, and have walkers myself and these guys are the best houndsmen I've ever met.  They have an awesome bear hunt as well.  Do yourself a favor and consider them for your next western big game hunt.

[TxAg]

Sounds great....i have this on my to-do list

[shirikahn]

We have a long season here in Wa state...I've never went after one, but will as soon as I have all my gear up!