Shoot or No Shot 2016 - Episode 10

[WapitiTalk1]

Ok, last one for awhile .

Tale of the tape. It's the 5th day of your 10 day Idaho archery elk hunt.
Today is 23 September 2016. 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
quietly 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, and if budget permits, you can purchase another elk tag (you've
gotta like that allowance in Idaho).

Shoot or no shot?

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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[lamrith]

Hrmmmm my gut and heart say chooot em! While not a big cat, looks a bit on the small skinny side, I am a strong advocate of predator control to lessen the stress on ungulate populations. Cougar is an apex predator that takes down quite a few prey animals each year, takingit out of for no other reason means more survive the winter to increase heard populations. You really do not get to see them often let alone hunt legally so in those regards I am letting one fly, even if just so that the cat does not harass the herds I have been calling the last 4 days...

Given my financial situation this year though, I would pass, just not got the funds for a second tag in 2016.

[Lefty]

I already have my wolf and lion tag, Im shooting

[Swede]

I'm skeptical about making a clean kill. I knocked a big cat down one year that was closer and larger. I still don't know why I could not find it, but I lost a day looking. Besides, I'm too cheap to use a tag on this critter.

[ishy]

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The only time I purchased the Sportsmans pack (includes a cat tag) I had almost that exact shot. Only differences it was 20 yards, and it was locked onto my brother. And yes I did and would take that shot!

[WapitiTalk1]

cat small.jpg

The only time I purchased the Sportsmans pack (includes a cat tag) I had almost that exact shot. Only differences it was 20 yards, and it was locked onto my brother. And yes I did and would take that shot!

Nice try Bryan. You found that cat napping on a log and took a selfie with him!

[GobbleFarmer]

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I'm taking out a predator! This would be a cool trophy, and he'd eat less deer/elk being dead and all... I would aim as low as possible though, if he ducks at that range hopefully i'd hit lungs, if not- heart. I'll be wishful here and say that I would have the $ buy another tag. But in reality it will be years before I can head west to chase elk.

[Lefty]

I'm skeptical about making a clean kill. I knocked a big cat down one year that was closer and larger. I still don't know why I could not find it, but I lost a day looking. Besides, I'm too cheap to use a tag on this critter.

Cats are tough tough animals!1