Shoot or No Shot - Episode 5

[WapitiTalk1]

Tale of the tape. It's the 7th day of your 10 day Idaho archery elk hunt. Today is 23 September 2014. You've had some very good bugling action during your hunt with several decent bulls but no shot opportunities yet (this is a bull only area). As an OOS hunter in Idaho, you can use your elk tag (if you wish) on either a bear or a cougar. Yah, I know.... pretty cool rule. You've taken a few elk with a bow over the course of your hunting career but never a big cat (with any weapon). If this guy walked by you while you were quiety having a mid day snack, would an arrow fly? Just curious. If you're shooting the kitty, please put a mark where your arrow is heading. Charlie Cougar is about 35 yards from where you sit. Remember if you decide to take the cat, your elk hunt is over.

Reminder that if you save the picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint, you'll be able to place a spot, X, or whatever on the critter before you save it back to a jpg and add the marked up pic with your post.

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[Lark Bunting]

No shot for me. I know I enjoy elk meat.

Do people eat mountain lion or is it just for the trophy?

[WapitiTalk1]

No shot for me. I know I enjoy elk meat.

Do people eat mountain lion or is it just for the trophy?

Some folks swear by it (they say it's quite tasty). I haven't tried any yet.

[Elkduds]

I'm shooting--my camera! In 50+ years of running around the mountains, I have seen dozens of bears, exactly one wild cougar. I don't really expect to to ever see another. I have 0 interest in shooting a cat, I'm hoping to fill my freezer w elk.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Kitty tastes like Pork. Very tasty, and a bit more tender than pork in my opinion.

[stringunner]

Since it means I will give up my elk tag, I would pass on this cougar. If in oregon and holding a separate cougar tag, no doubt I'm shooting.

[easeup]

the Texan is going to pass also. I have yet to put my eyes on one, so I sure look forward to that day and hope I could a camera on it quickly.

[Swede]

I with Stringunner on this. I have eaten a little cougar. It is okay if there are no alternatives. I would prefer the pork any day. To me cat is almost sweet.

[Fridaythe13th]

ODD man out here!!! I am shooting. I don't know what I would do with it. But we have plenty of deer tags to fill the freezer. I can check it off the bucket list.
What do you do with a cougar? I know you can do a full body mount. Is there such a thing as a rug? any other?

[Toby]

I'm shooting, I think it would be pretty cool to take one of these.

[Csrbowhunter]

My wife and kids would be pissed if I came back to Ohio with cat meat instead of elk meat!

[Backcountry]

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I'm killing that cat then coming back over to MT to hunt elk

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Meow.jpg

I'm killing that cat then coming back over to MT to hunt elk

I agree with shot placement and sentiment! Kitties deal a lot of death and destruction to mule deer. I am all for taking them out when allowed. Yes I'd eat it. I'd get it tanned, then try to kill a pair of wolves to make a multi-predator fur coat/cloak with a cougar mask for the hood

[ElkNut1]

I'd kill the cat & then purchase a 2nd non resident elk tag! (grin) It be worth it as you do not see many lions as in the photo by accident! Plus one killed & ate my small dog (my buddy) 1-1/2 years ago so I owe them! (not grinning)

ElkNut1

[Duck-Slayer]

No discussion, everyone should do the due diligence and shoot the cat.... everyone blames wolves for low big game populations but forget those cats are killing machines and there population is growing as well as wolves, shoot and its off the bucket list...
Matt

[bowhunter99]

I'm with Backcountry...that's a dead cat and I'm off to another state.
Seen four of them in my life, always when it's dark though.
That would be pretty cool in my opinion, to take with my bow.

[zpd307]

I am buying a wolf tag for this same reason.... if I could get a low cost cougar tag as well, I would put one in my pocket also.

[Screaming_btf]

No Shot for me

[Wyo67]

As an OOS taking the shot would end my elk hunt, I'd have to pass.

[Kevrod3]

shooting the cat! No question!

[Gypsumreaper]

Same spot as backcountry, he'd be done, plus if he's around there's more of a chance of him blowing ur elk outa the area, plus I'd be scarred he may be lurking near by as I'm blowing cow calls, an looking for a meal, plus my family would be pretty stoked that I took a cat with my bow without it being treed, be an awesome story.... One shot though an the pistol would be ready in case he decided he wanted on last who rah

[baddaddy]

I'd shoot.

[Swede]

Elknut: I'm sorry to read about your dog. Did the cat get him while at home or were you out with the dog when he was killed? Either way its a bummer.

[ElkNut1]

Swede, the dog was at our home. We live in a rural area & the lion walked up to the top of our gravel driveway & snatched up the yorky & he was never to be seen again. My wife saw the lion go after the dog but did not see it snatch him up as it happened a bit out of her view. It sucked! I wasn't home but found out about it later that evening. Thanks!

ElkNut1

[phall]

shoot... cats arnt stupid and if you see a cat that close it is for a reason... use your imagination... next time it may be around your neck... a cat in bow range is a threat in my opinion

[ishy]

This one happened to me only one month later during the A tag rifle season, would've done the exact same thing with a bow also. It was slightly quartering to me 20 yards just like the pic. It stayed locked on my brother while a moved around him to get a better angle, thing never even blinked or looked my way. Would never pass a chance up like that, but I did have a cat tag in my pocket. Never told my brother that I had a tag he thinks he owes me for saving his life! And yes they taste great.

[JerryYong]

I'm with Elknut. Shooting me a big kitty and then shooting my elk with a second non resident elk tag!

[Gselkhunter]

shoot... cats arnt stupid and if you see a cat that close it is for a reason... use your imagination... next time it may be around your neck... a cat in bow range is a threat in my opinion

I had an episode with a cat a few years back, we were stalking the same group of elk. Eye to eye with a cat at 20yds is the wrong place to be. In my favor the cat freaked[small female] and bolted instead of coming at me. Shoot the cat or give him a plane ticket to California. I hear they like eating California joggers.

[welka]

D-E-A-D cat. Have seen the devastation they did to mule deer and whitetails in two different spots in Montana before the wolves took over.

[elkmtngear]

If I had a tag...dead kitty! Means a bunch more elk in that drainage in the future...plus a cool rug for me!

Had one at just a few yards years ago...crouched and ears laid back. I was at full draw. He opted to turn and walk off. If I had a tag in my pocket...

[zpd307]

talked to my buddy about this. with the two tags between us, one of us could shoot it and still have a tag left for an elk....

[Olydog09]

Probably letting it walk. I Much prefer elk meat.