Itty bitty kitty wanted to eat me...

[wapiti792]

but I took her picture and counted coup (kinda).

Here in IL we are down to the wire. Only 10 days of season left and I need one more deer for the freezer. I am also trying to perform my own exorcist on a season full of trainwrecks for me...a treestand accident, a bad miss at a big 'un, and too much work/not enough hunting. Not wining here as I am lucky to be alive, lucky to get a chance at a booner (mmmmissed him), and lucky to be workin' in this economy. But still I am out there trying to loose an arra, and tryin' to put this season to bed the right way.

So I hung a new stand and had some deer nearly to me when I hear something crunching in the leaves. It's too light to be a deer and I make out 3 small shapes just ahead. A momma bobcat and two near-grown tawny furballs. Momma has the typical spots and never-still buggywhip of a tail and the babies are walking hushpuppies after they have been shot in    

It gets interesting when the little ones cross to my side of the creek first and momma spots me in my Lone Wolf about 15 feet off the ground. She spits and the kits scurry up the small oak right next to me. I have two crying kits a bow length away, and a VERY pissy momma cat at the base of my tree. She is growling and spitting, the kits are crying and I am sitting there with my mouth open. She finally has enough and starts up the tree after me. I talk to her in a half-panicked voice that is somewhere near puberty and an 8 year-old-girl's pitch, but with words that only a sailor would use. That is enough to send her back over the creek. She paces, growling and spitting with that long black streak of hair on her back standing at attention. I managed to hold my nocked Osprey with one hand and my camera with the other and managed to get a few pics of her before the kits bailed and they all took off like scalded cats.

Perhaps it was my language, perhaps it was the ultimate predator look up in the tree (Osprey longbow at the ready, Kuiu-donned frame, war-paint on, ready to kill) or perhaps it was the high-pitched scream-squeal from all of the above. Anyway she left me, took her kits and skinned out. I have been around these cats all my life and never have had one try and get me. It is funny now but let me tell you, there was nothing I could have done if she wanted to chew on me for messin' with her babies. It is not legal here to shoot them, and I doubt if I would with those little ones so near. I most likely would have taken my arse whoopin' like the man that I am  

[steadman]

I think the high pitched squeeling might have made her think you were dinner, a big dinner    Good luck with the rest of the season, you deserve some good luck Bud!!

[Brian CS]

Nice, thanks for shareing. Seeing a cat is always a treat.

[straitera]

Great pix & story. Not big but can inflict some damage protecting the cubs. Pretty exciting!

[Mudd]

Maybe she's eaten Sasquatch before and has developed a taste for it...lol

I don't much care for it when a squirrel gets real close to me so I can imagine what that kitty with a double handful of switchblades would make run through a man's mind and... as you said... down your leg...lol

Thanks for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

[**DONOTDELETE**]

kool pic, saw My first wild one a few weeks ago not to far from My home.

[Dirtybird]

thats pretty cool, thanks for sharing and good luck

[Smithhammer]

Great story.

Is that cat wearing ASAT?

[Bishop]

Neat story. First time I've heard of one showing aggression.

[lunatic11]

Wow ! What a unique experience !!!

[Tajue17]

thats pretty cool,,,,,in 35yrs of hunting I still have not seen a Bobcat in person.

[Bud B.]

Unreal!

You would have done what was necessary.

True story here in Central NC. A while back a guy got attacked by a rabid bobcat. The man choked it to death. Now I don't think I could have done that!

[lpcjon2]

See its the hunt not the kill. Great adventure you had,glad she didnt eat you.

[wapiti792]

Thanks guys. Glad you enjoyed the ditty. I have seen more and more here in IL. I had a big tom under my tree last year stalking a rabbit I had shot at from the tree. He sniffed my arra and was very interested in it. Watching him move and sneak was awesome. He even sprayed a nearby bush to mark his spot. He could have done some real damage I tell ya  

thats one you won't forget huh! i just seen my first ones in the woods yesterday morning, thery'r were three of them too. beutiful critters.  the ultimate trophy i think.  

[KOOK68]

Guy on our lease had one run through the oak he was hunting. It was chasing a squirrel   :eek:    :eek:

[snakebit40]

 Great story thanks for sharing it! Good luck with the rest of yours season

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Pretty cool Mike, it's such a treat to see them and get the chance to watch them do there thing but this one was a little to close.

Great picks my friend looks like a nice cat.

Tracy

[bohuntr]

Cool story Mike, thanks for sharing it with us! I hope your season ends on a positive note!!!

[NormanDale33]

I would have had to change my drawers too! What a cool experience.