This wasn’t a Nice Kitty My Wife’s former Brother in Law was Deer hunting in Oregon’s Coast Range, he Knew that something had been following him for about 45 minutes, but he couldn’t spot it, he came to a large clearing, and the cat had to either break cover, or break stalking Doyle. After the cat broke cover, it made its intentions very clear, it approached Doyle in a manner that left no doubt that it wanted a taste of him. Doyle went hunting for Deer, and that would have been his preference, but the cat had other ideas I just heard on the radio this morning that, on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, a Cougar grabbed a 4 year old boy, fortunately the Father was able to save him from the cat, but Cougar/Human encounters are becoming more common, whereas they used to be very rare, and typically accidental encounters Doug
When I ask this question, I'm not asking in terms of defending yourself from an attack.... Can you shoot/hunt mountain lions there? If so, is it a special tag you have to get (like buy a separate tag for a ML), or is it covered on a 'regular' hunting license?
While in Doyle’s case, it was a matter of self defense, he buys the Oregon “Sportsman Pack” which includes pretty all the state hunting and fishing licenses and tags, except special drawing licenses and tags. So Doyle did have an appropriate tag for the Cougar, and it was in season, he would have much rather the cat went on its merry way, and he could have gotten a Deer, but he did tag and keep the cougar, though I don’t think he would have even hunted cougar specifically. Unfortunately, Cougar/Human encounters are becoming more common, and the results are becoming more tragic. We had a Lady hiker killed and eaten by a cougar 7-8 miles from our home on the Hunchback Trail in August 2018, and the Sandy Ridge Trail system, only about 3-4 miles from our home, there have been at least half a dozen reports of the cats harassing mountain bikers. So fat none of the bikers have been injured, but several were pretty shaken up by their encounters. In the past, cougar/human encounters were typically accidental encounters, the cats pretty much tried to avoid people. The cats are very good at remaining unseen when they want to, Doyle is an experienced hunter, and sensed “Something “ was following him and couldn’t spot the cat until it broke cover. In the last 10 or so years, the number of encounters that aren’t accidental has become concerning Doug
Gotcha. I didn't know if you could hunt them there..... I'm all about smoking them. And zero 2nd thoughts if its even remotely looking my way....
I wouldn’t have any problem putting one down if it was threatening myself or someone else, I don’t believe in destroying an animal for no reason, I enjoy seeing them, and if they keep to themselves, we’re Good I do understand a rancher shooting them on sight, if they are any where near a herd, that’s a matter of When not If, they are going to kill some livestock. I do trust the Bears more than the Cats though, we have both in our area, and Yogi, does keep to himself unless harassed, short of slapping Yogi three or four times, he will just mosey on by with just an occasional glance at you. Even with cubs around, our Black Bears are pretty docile when left alone, even Mrs. Yogi, I just don’t recommend trying to hug Yogi Jr, cute as he may be Doug
Wow Reloader thats close and would make me uncomfortable. I generally believe if your in their habitat live and let live; Until they do something threatening. However 30 years ago, when I was in lowlands of Nepal, it became obvious that older lame tigers were using humans as a food source. Only prey they could catch or were lazy and people are slow. I learned that gut instinct is real and you should pay attention.
Here in Washington State, all the state agencies will tell you that the state is an Outdoor Paradise for all to enjoy with no danger from bears or cats. The Federal (National Forest) Rangers tell a different story. There are a few bear encounters of course but mostly bears just want to be left alone and leave a human presence quickly. Cats are another matter and the Federal Rangers say that cat encounters have greatly increased and encourage all who use the areas where I mushroom hunt to carry a weapon or at least bear spray. Consider that, while mushroom hunting, you are moving quietly through often dense areas of forest and stopping often and stooping or kneeling to harvest the shrooms. This quiet and seemingly shy activity coupled with the crouching or kneeling and making yourself small is a natural invitation for predators especially cats. I have encountered a cat in the deep timber only once. I had just stood up from cutting several mushrooms and looked behind me to lock eyes with a lion about 40 feet back in the timber. Fortunately it leaped away and was gone. I had only a folding mushroom knife for protection. I immediately started carrying a WWII .45 colt pistol with soft point ammunition in a chest harness outside my coat. Cats are thin skinned and go down fairly easily if hit with a high shock bullet. At least that is the theory. I hope I never have to test it out!
