Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Michael Arnette on September 11, 2017, 09:51:00 PM
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After talking with a few friends and wildlife officials I have decided to go ahead and post this. Tradgang will be the extent of my online posting. You all are a family and so many of my friends and family have urged me to post on the topic for your benefit.
6 yards of cold mountain air separated me from the mountains apex predator in milky darkness. After a continued advances of the cat and a failed effort to make the cat retreat I released an arrow which struck true at the base of the neck with the cat facing me and prepared to pounce... I heard the "thunk" of my arrow and the lion leapt into the air with a deep growl. I heard a crash a few short seconds later. Wildlife officials were contacted and confirmed my story. ...Colorado Mountain lion season is closed currently and my actions would have been highly illegal had I not been in imminent danger. To those who are venturing into the high country I would recommend carrying bear spray and or a side arm. I have carried these in the past but neglected them on this trip. Either would have most likely deterred the attack and saved the life of this beautiful animal. I am thankful to be unhurt but just as deeply remorseful of my neglect of standard wilderness safety. ... if you are ever in a similar situation with a mountain lion remember to not run! Rather, yell and make advances. If the cat attacks fight back with everything you have. Mountain lions do not like to be resisted or challenged.
.... oh, and a few days later I missed a long shot at a tremendous mule deer buck, shot right over his back. Overall it was a tremendous hunt!
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https://imgur.com/jRrMBBo
Originally posted by Trumpkin the Dwarf:
Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
(http://i.imgur.com/jRrMBBo.jpeg)
Fixed it for ya! :thumbsup: [/b]
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Cudos for having the ethics and integrity to report it in the first place, I'm sure many wouldn't.
Glad your safe, bet that got your heart pumping.
I came across a large cat track here a few days ago. Makes ya stand up and look around.
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Man oh man, I'm glad your safe, kept your head and made good on your shot, also glad for an understanding official!
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:scared: Wow!!! I'm glad you're ok!!!!
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I had a close call like that in NM a few years ago, but was able to just back out.
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Originally posted by bucknut:
I had a close call like that in NM a few years ago, but was able to just back out.
Good deal! this situation got too intimate very quickly. It's my third encounter with lions and the second close encounter.
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Michael,
Glad you came out on the right end of the encounter.
Mountain Lion and Bowhunter encounters are fairly common here in the Rocky Mountains, California, and Oregon, several of then are reported each year here in Montana. I know Barry Wensel had a similar encounter with the same results in the early 90's and I had one in 1994 detailed in the link below.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=055765#000000
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There are people back east that believe only hunters with dogs kill lions.
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Walt! I remember reading your very thread and thinking to myself how rare a situation that would be. I never thought I'd be in a very similar situation
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Yup thank God you made it out bet you'll be toting the big iron on your hip next time " I know I would" those cats ain't no joke!!
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Glad your ok thanks for sharing.
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I'm glad you came out o.k. It is sad to kill an animal under these conditions, but you had no choice. You are also fortunate that the game official accepted your explanation of events.
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Wow lots of good decisions here.
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I am glad everything went right, things can happen and you made what you had to do.
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Glad you kept your whit's and did the right thing.... :thumbsup:
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Glad you are ok Michael. Quite an experience for sure.
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Hey Michael! I'm glad you shared this encounter with us! And I'm glad you're alright! I can't see the picture though. :dunno:
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I am glad that you are alright. An experience that you will be telling your grandkids.
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I can't see any pictures either. :(
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Glad you are ok and hope you were wearing your Brown pants.
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Thank you for sharing, and I'm glad you're ok.
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Wow! Glad you are ok!
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Glad you're okay.
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You made the best of a bad situation and came out ok. I commend your for your ethics!
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Here in Oregon there areas the game dept has had to hire "professional hunters" to bring down the numbers. One unit they killed 40+ cats. They are not afraid of man! When I do cow/calf calling it has brought cats in. Keep alert!
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I'm glad everything worked out for you. That could have gone south quick.
My cousin out in Washington had a similar experience while deer hunting. He's a tough guy but when he told that story he looked terrified.
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That could have ended badly! Glad you were able to make the shot count in the heat of the moment.
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Originally posted by snag:
Here in Oregon there areas the game dept has had to hire "professional hunters" to bring down the numbers. One unit they killed 40+ cats. They are not afraid of man! When I do cow/calf calling it has brought cats in. Keep alert!
Well at least they do the necessary to control numbers! If I'm correct Oregon doesn't allow the use of dogs?
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Glad all is good Michael! Don't suppose they let you keep the backstraps? ;)
I've only seen one live one and it ran like a scalded dog when it saw me and hunting partner. Your story is going to have me a little more on edge in thick spots next time out west. Never thought of carrying bear spray for cats, but I might add that to my pack list.
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Is it legal to bait them in like that? HA!!!
All kidding aside, I'm glad you came out of the encounter OK, and able to tell the story.
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Thank you for sharing, and I'm glad you're ok.
Craig
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WOW!!! Glad You're ok.
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Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
(http://i.imgur.com/jRrMBBo.jpeg)
Fixed it for ya! :thumbsup:
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What's a kitty that size weigh?
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140lbs or so
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All I can think of is WOW!
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Glad everything turned out okay for you. Way to keep a level head. Last week we saw several cat tracks in the area of Colorado we were hunting. We also saw a lot of mule deer, so I'm guessing that's what had them there. It'll definitely make you pay attention to your surroundings.
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That could have ended badly. You did the right thing all the way Michael. Glad you didn't get any closer!
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What a rush that must have been! Kept your cool and did what you had to do. I didn't read all the posts - did they let you keep the cat?
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Wow!!!
I think your title should read 'Mule Deer Hunt turned into Survival'.
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And you shot him facing on?????
Sorry, I could not resist! Glad it worked out and you were not harmed!
Bisch
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Originally posted by Bisch:
And you shot him facing on?????
Sorry, I could not resist! Glad it worked out and you were not harmed!
Bisch
Hahahaha hahahaha...yes it was a frontal shot! The title should read: "Frontal shot saves rookie hunter from stitches"
The lion died about 25 yards from the shot. I'd post a picture of the actual entrance but it looks like a trophy picture with my bow on it and I didn't want it to be perceived as a trophy at all.
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Holy smokes, what a rush and deflated moment at the same time. You did what you had to do.
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Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
Originally posted by Bisch:
And you shot him facing on?????
Sorry, I could not resist! Glad it worked out and you were not harmed!
Bisch
Hahahaha hahahaha...yes it was a frontal shot! The title should read: "Frontal shot saves rookie hunter from stitches"
The lion died about 25 yards from the shot. I'd post a picture of the actual entrance but it looks like a trophy picture with my bow on it and I didn't want it to be perceived as a trophy at all. [/b]
Post the picture of the entrance. You already explained what happened.
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Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
I'd post a picture of the actual entrance but it looks like a trophy picture with my bow on it and I didn't want it to be perceived as a trophy at all.
Maybe you can crop it real close so we see the chest and just a part of the bow or something? I'm sure guys would love to see what the Grizzly head did to a mountain lion.
Also, I'm really glad it worked out well for you. I'm beginning to think I should take cats more seriously when I'm back in Montana... :scared:
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Wow! Glad the encounter ended with you ok!
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Glad your still with us....
,,Sam,,
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:pray: :pray: :pray:
The Good Lord smiled on you that day for sure!
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Michael,
Glad you kept your cool! (Maybe that close bear encounter we shared helped you to do the right thing!)
BowMike
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Post what you want to.... I would love to see more pics it's very educational don't worry about what other people say or think we'll take care of that
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Wow, crazy story. Glad you ended up unharmed.
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I had 2 encounters like that (not quite that close) in Colorado back in the early nineties. Thankfully they both bounded off when we made eye contact, they were both crouched ready to pounce. My hackles were raised for the rest of the hunt, spooky. Glad you made it ok.
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I am glad you are okay. Unfortunitly it is more common that one would think. I had one crawl up on me once. At first I was excited just to see a cat that close until it seen me. At that piont it wiggle it rear just like a house cat flicked it's tail getting low. It slithered up gaining 20 yards or so on me. I started waving my hands and saying "Hey cat! Hey cat!". It kept coming toward me not even bothered. I knocked an arrow as it came to within 15 yards and hunkered behind a small pine. It never gave me a clear shot. Luckly for me it backed down after a few long minutes. I have had 5 friends that have had to shoot them in self defence, all are documented. Scary stuff!
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Wow, just wow. Thanks for raising awareness and glad you are ok.
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Glad you are ok man and really glad got rid of that ugly bow :-)
And thanks for sharing.