Trad Gang

Tracy.......

I'll get with it tomorrow evening. I am totally beat after todays hunt.

This should be good.

Its going to be GREAT

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020281.jpg)
Sneek peek

We don't get that red snow over here in UT  :)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020305.jpg)

This arrow was not shot from a treestand. Any guesses? (none from FerretWyo!)

:thumbsup:    :coffee:

Mountain lion ?

Meeeooooooowwwww!

Look at that grin.  :bigsmyl:

Theres definately a story to be told,can't wait to read it.

Kittie!  :clapper:

Windmill stand?
Rocky cliff stand?
(Muley buck)

I'm just guessing,but I like the looks. That smile says it all.
Congratulations.


Chuck

I see cat tracks in that first pick.   :bigsmyl:

Tracy

Too late for one of his big muleys...too late for antelope, bear, elk.  Those DO look like paw prints in the snow.  This will be one to watch!!!

Come on Shedrock, No rest for the wicked!
That smile is what its all about!

:campfire:      :archer:

When Shedrock and story are in the same sentence you know it's going to be good.  Can't wait to hear it.    :campfire:

Shedrock

"you'sa gots sum splaining to do!"

Blood-arrow-story?

Was hoping I could read this with my morning coffee.

I know he kills varmits for a living, so I'm guessing either a coyote or wolf......

Looking forward to this playing out!

Come on Tracy, how late ya sleeping??  You must really be tuckered.

Come on... I'm in the stand and need something to read, cause nothing is moving this morning!!!!

Oh boy, what did you shoot? Was it a steep downward shot with complete pass thru?  Come on.....set that cup of coffee down just for a minute.   :coffee:

OK everyone, here's the story.

It started Sunday while I was hunting some bunnies. I ran into some fresh lion tracks. I had never seen so many tracks in a small area. I figured this cat had a kill around close, and was living near it. I never did find a kill, or even seen any birds.

Sunday evening I called my friend with hounds to see if he could get off work Monday so we could go find this cat. He was ready, willing, and able.

Monday morning we were at the spot where I found all the fresh tracks. It had snowed very lightly the night before, so finding a hot track should be easy. We found none in the area where I had seen them all the previous day, so we drove the two track down the ridge to the west looking for racks. We knew the cat didn't go east, as we saw no tracks cross the county road. We spotted a few magpies about 1 1/2 miles from where I had original saw the tracks. We both glassed for a possible kill or more birds when I spotted some lion tracks down in the bottom of the drainage. We hiked down there, and sure enough, cat tracks were everywhere, plus a whole bunch of coyote tracks.

We hiked back to the truck and let a couple dogs go. Tracking was tough with all the spotty snow, more light snow coming down, and then some light rain. The dogs were running around in circles everywhere trying to piece the puzzle together. That cat had been up, down, and all around in this drainage.

Then we found this...
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020271.jpg)
Fresh kill! The cat killed the doe on the side of the ridge, and drug it about 100 yards down into a wash.

The GPS said the dogs were staying in one spot now about 800 yards from where we were. Luke thought they had the cat treed. We headed that direction, then saw the dogs headed back.

We kept after the tracks, even though it was turning into a big mess with the melting snow, and light rain in the mix.

After a couple more hours of trying to get this figured out, we were ready to leave and look for the cat on a better day.

Then.....

My other friend, who came out to help find the tracks, was headed back to his vehicle, saw this...
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020275.jpg)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020274.jpg)
What a beautiful sight!

I didn't want to try a shot from this side of the tree because of where the cat's elbow is. I went around the other side hoping for a clear shot. This cat just had to find the biggest tree in Wyoming I do believe.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020309-1.jpg)
I only had 4 arrows along, and hoped I wouldn't miss the shot. About 22 yards and angling up.

Thats a beautiful picture. Can't wait for the rest of the story.

Those are great pictures!    :thumbsup:

I did find find a clear opening on the other side of the tree for a shot at the cat's wide open vitals. I drew back, picked a spot, prayed, and let the string go.

At the shot, as the cat bailed out of the tree, I saw blood spray in the air, but the shot looked too far back. I was wrong. When the cat hit the ground, it only made it about 20 yards, and fell. It ended up be a double lunger.  :thumbsup:

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020277.jpg)
I'm walking up on the lion to see if it's breathing or not. Very careful! The lion is down!

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020297.jpg)
I used an old original Pronghorn Ferret 50# @ 28", cedar shaft, and STOS 145 gr. broadhead. The arrow zipped right through the cat and ended up about 50 yards from the tree as seen in previous pic.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020299-1.jpg)
This lion is just a 85# female, but I'm happy, and her deer killing days are over!!

Sweet cat. That is my dream hunt.

I'd be more than happy with that one.

doug77

Beatiful picture indeed!

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020280.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020272.jpg)

Thanks for looking!

That's cool! I love those pictures in the tree.

Awesome!  Congrats!!    :thumbsup:

Awesome.... great pics and great story...   :thumbsup:

Excellent pictures and story.  Thank you for taking the time to post.

We might have to start callin' you Happy,   :bigsmyl:  .  Congrats on a fine lookin' cat. BTW that's one good lookin' tree too.

Holy Cow........   :thumbsup:   COOL!!!!!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
 (http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020274.jpg)
What a beautiful sight!

What an incredible pic!!

Great hunt Tracy!  Thanks for taking us along!

Is that a rare thing in Wyoming? Seeing a cat? Here in Oregon since they banned hunting with dogs we cats EVERYWHERE! They say we have over 5,000 cats now. I would think this was a major accomplishment in a state that allows the use of dogs.    :thumbsup:

No Snag, we have lots of cats. This is a tough area to hunt. Wind blows 50 mph most days in this area all winter and it's tough to find a track. If you do find a track, it gets blown shut in a hurry.

We have a quota of 10 lions for this area, and only an average of 2 a year are killed here because of the bad weather on a daily basis.

So, I don't feel bad about killing a female. Take 'em when you can.

Wow, really cool, congrats!!

What a great story and one of the coolest cat pics I think I've seen!  Congrats, Tracy!

I know about the "wing blowing" stuff.  I'd have to lead a sittin cat like that about 5 yards for the arrow to hit, today!  Thanks for sharing with us.

great time wuth you thank you ! nice place to be and nice hunt to do !!

A lion is something I would love to get someday. Very nice!

Very Nice I hope Iget to do that one day!

Way to go Tracy!  :thumbsup:

Great pics!!! Beautiful kitty cat!

Awesome hunt! Great job!    :notworthy:    :campfire:

Thanks for the awesome "hunt-a-long" on this one.

Great pictures all around but the one of the cat in the tree is really nice.

Congrats BIG time!!

Awsome.Would love to call one in where i could take it.Real cool stuff.  :thumbsup:    :clapper:

Great story and photos!

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing the hunt!  I can only dream of those hunts.

What a beautiful animal!  "Just" an 85# female would be plenty good enough!    :clapper:  
I'd love to give that a try someday.  Not sure how I'd do chasing dogs through the mountains though...  :rolleyes:  
Congratulations, and great pictures!!

Well Done! Thanks for the excellent pics and story.

Great pictures and story !

Congrats.

Tracy,
 
      Congratulations on a great Cat, nice shooting.

     Thanks for sharing your adventure.

:clapper:    :clapper:

Nice Shedrock!! Great story and pix!

chris <><

Awesome animal and pictures!  Congratulations sir!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Congratulations and awesome pictures

WOW! That is one pretty kitty! Dream hunt for me too. Congrats!

Just incredible photos!  Thanks for sharing and congrats!   :thumbsup:

Very cool.

One of the hunts on my list.  Thanks for sharing and congrats.  Joe

Congratulations on the beautiful animal. And nice shot, too! Thanks for taking us along.

Tracy thanks for posting you look very happy must have been a special hunt for you  Thanks Shane

Awesome  :thumbsup:  It sure looked higher up in that tree, quick, clean kill gotta love it  :clapper:

Looks like a purrr-fect shot to me!

Awesome pics and hunt, congrats.

Incredible pic and hunt brother!!    :clapper:

WOW! That was about as cool as it gets.
Tracy, you have just brought back many memories of hunting cats when we lived in MT. I do miss my dogs. I can't help but smile when I see your Smile. I know that feeling, and yes, I think that is the biggest tree in WY. How old do you rekon it is? The tree I mean.

Congrats Tracy. Thanks for sharing.

Chuck

OH! Did your feet stay warm and dry?

Tracy, Congrats on a fine cat. Awesome pictures. Thanks for the share.

outstanding!!!

CONGRATS to you.  Love the photo

Great job!!  :clapper:

I just read this story to my 8yo old little girl and she loved it. Great story and great shooting.Congrats.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing with us!

out standing

What a beautiful animal   :cool:    :eek:    :thumbsup:

Very cool Tracy.

The picture of the cat in the tree should be framed.BEAUTIFUL!!Congrats!!
Bill

Thanks for taking us along, the pic's are fantastic  :thumbsup:

Congrats!

Great story and pics, congrats on a beautiful Mtn Lion.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Wow what a great hunt. That is truly a wonderful hunt.

Thanks for taking us along! Great Pics!

That is awesome on all accounts. Great pictures!!!

Awesome story...adn great pics!!!

awesome story and great pics!!

Outstanding!

Tracy, that is a great story.
Congrats
Randy

well done sir!  :thumbsup:

Great story Shed.

I think a cat with trad equipment is an awesome feat. Thanks for taking us along, and congrat! That's a bucket list item for me that I hope to check off before I can't roam the territories. Congrats again!

TS

Wow, congratulations on a fine acheivement.

Great pics!

way to go Tracy, those pics bring back a lot of memories!  when i saw the title to this thread, i was expecting a big ol missouri buck pic,not anything like this!!!!!   beautiful.

Way to go! Nice kitty!

Nice cat would love to get one some day.Congrats and great pictures.

Absolutly Incredible!!! Congrats from Spain...

Cant wait to see the pictures from Home.

sounds like a congrats in order  :thumbsup:    :clapper:

Great job Tracy on both the hunt and pics!!

Joe

Tracy buddy congrats again you worked long and hard for this trophy.

Awesome cat Tracy!!!

WOW!

Awesome! Love the picks of the cat in the tree  :)

Congrats Tracy on a fine cat  :thumbsup:  

Tracy

Great pics! Congrats!  :thumbsup:

Thanks everyone. I had been wanting a cat for some time now.

I had some backstrap last night, and WOW, that is some fine tasting meat! Probably the best wild game meat I have had. If you hear it taste like porkchops, believe it. My 6 year old daughter said the same thing. She wanted more.  :thumbsup:  My wife would not have anything to do with it though.

What a great story and pictures, thanks for taking us along.
-Jay

CONGRATS!! Nice pics.

Congrats Shedrock, very nice cat. Also the table fare, best in the west.

Any pics of the hounds at the tree?

I've eaten Kitty twice and thought it was awesome, It tasted and looked like pork loin   :D    :bigsmyl:  

Tracy

Thanks for sharin' the hunt Shedrock!

Great shot!

  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    

That lion will make a very nice mount.

Shoot straight, Shinken

  :archer2:

Pretty neat, congrats !  Sounds like a tough shot too.

Congratulations!   :thumbsup:  Love the pic of her laying on the branch.

QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
Thanks everyone. I had been wanting a cat for some time now.

I had some backstrap last night, and WOW, that is some fine tasting meat! Probably the best wild game meat I have had. If you hear it taste like porkchops, believe it. My 6 year old daughter said the same thing. She wanted more.   :thumbsup:   My wife would not have anything to do with it though.

Awsome story,  you answered my ? Before I could ask.... I always wondered what the large cats taste like.... Great job!!

Tracy--
Congrats.  I'm just now trying to get caught up a little as my hunting starts to slow down a little.  That first photo of the cat in the tree...WOW.  Makes me wonder also how often you western guys walk right under them while they decide whether you look tasty or worth the effort or not.   :)

Perfect!  Congratulations!

That is my dream hunt right there! Congrats! Awesome pics and story.

Shedrock absolutely awesome story. Beautiful pics, and a unforgetable hunt right there. Looking forward to my first kitty hunt. Can't say though it would be in as a pretty a setting as yours though. Congrats

Tracy, congratulations that was a fine read and you made a really good shot.  Like Robin, I would like to see some pictures of the hounds if you have any.

Randy, have you put the new pup onto a trail yet?

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020310.jpg)
Sorry guys, this is the only hound pic I got. My camera was in my pack most of the time, and my eyes were on the ground. Thanks for the kind words, it was a heck of a fun hunt.

I can get another lion tag Jan 1st, and I'll be out looking for another "deer killer".

Thanks Shedrock, looking forward to hearing about another hunt in the new year. I know your hooked on hound music and lion backstrap now.  :thumbsup:

Awesome pictures!!  If you shot a female around here they'd linch ya!!  :deadhorse:  Different circumstances completely though.

Congrats on a super hunt.  Unreal!!

Randy, the last time I let a kitty (a female) go up the canyon the head biologist lectured me about saving the bighorns and "strongly recommended" we not do that anymore.  However, anywhere but in the peaks Unit you are correct.

Love those Big Cats! CONGRATS! TD.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

That is a DREAM hunt for me.  

I'd also have to dream up a way to pay for a full mount....cause no way I wouldn't get that....I would just HAVE to.

Some day........   :pray:    :pray:    :pray:

How about this one from last year

:thumbsup:  Great pics and story, congrats!   :thumbsup:

Good shootin! Thanks for sharing.