I was headed out of the mountains yesterday morning after checking a Bear bait. It was hot and dusty, not typical for this time of year. But none the less I assume it will better suit the survival of newborns, fledgling chicks and Ungulates alike. I rounded a turn in my pickup coming out of a shaded Cedar grove and into a hot brushy hillside to see a brand new Moose calf staggering in the road like a drunken sailor. I immediately shut my truck off so as to minimize the stress and to allow the little fellow to get where he was going. I could hear the cow coaxing him on the uphill side but I could not see her due to the brush. My truck was stopped a mere 30 yards away as I marvel at the size of these newborns, they are quite tall. I am always amazed by the fragility of newborns and how vulnerable they are. He was trying to climb the relatively gradual 4 foot cutbank but I would see he had not enough strength in his back legs and his hind end would sink and he would spill out in the road in a cloud of dust. Momma poked her head out of the brush to give me a look and judging by her size this was not her first go at motherhood. I chuckled with the thought of getting out and helping him up the bank so we could both be on our way..... but not sure how Momma would perceive my intentions. lol
After a few minuets he made it up the bank, and waiting a few more to give them plenty of time to clear away from the roadway I started my truck up and put it in gear. I rolled about 10 yards towards where the calf climbed the bank when the unexpected happened.
A full grown mature Lion blows out of the brush on the low side of the road and lands right in front of my truck, headed at a 45 degree angle up the road to where the calf entered the brush. The cat is low to the ground and his speed is stunning. He covers the 15 yards in the blink of an eye and into the brush. I am certain he was laying at the edge of the road on the game trail the Cow and Calf had traveled. Had I not been in the way I think the cat would have made his kill in the road. For whatever reason, maybe deeper into the brush would be a tougher kill, the Cat had to act now as he disappeared into the brush. Judging by the last calling I heard from the cow they are 20 yards into the brush.
Well we as humans have instincts as well, I shut the truck down and bail out running up the road barking like a dog..............anybody guess what happens next?
:campfire:
The cat ran up a tree?? :dunno:
Momma ran the cat, and you both off?
Can't wait to hear the rest.
Bob
I'd be worried that Momma moose would recognize you as the only threat, and by defending the calf from you, leave it open to attack from the mountain lion.
I hope not, but I do know you made it back to start the story. :D
:campfire: :archer:
The cat ran past you scared. Jumped in the passenger seat of your truck and yelled at you to hurry up because moma moose is crazy?
:coffee:
C'mon Stickbow , you got our suspenders on now !
Where's the rest of the story ?
Wow, what an encounter :eek: :eek: But really neat stuff........
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by shed hunter:
The cat ran past you scared. Jumped in the passenger seat of your truck and yelled at you to hurry up because moma moose is crazy?
That's a good one....
As I reached the cutbank where the gametrail continued I came to a my senses. While I have no problem with putting a run on the cat I want no part of a Momma Moose. I froze and strained to hear the drama unfolding less than 20 yards from me.....I hear nothing.
I stood there for 5 minuets listening. All I can hear is the Cow calling occasionally and moving through the brush quartering away. Nothing out of the ordinary, she did not sound alarmed or frantic???
I figure one of two things happened;
The Cat leapt onto the calf killing it without a sound from the calf and was lying on the calf the whole time right in front of me.
Or
The cat hearing something in pursuit blew past his quarry and was assessing the situation. I doubt the outcome will be good for the little fellow.
My next day off is Tuesday and I intend to spent sometime kicking around in there and listening for Ravens.
What a sight.......
Was expecting you to say the cat killed you and ate you.
Wow! What an event!!!!! Thanks for sharing this with us......mother nature truly is an awesome thing. Breathtakingly beautiful and relentlessly brutal all at the same time. :campfire: