Cougar Hunting

[Deleted member 115360]

Ive heard that killing a cougar makes more move in the area?
Basically predator hunting doesnt really improve deer numbers in the long term.

That's hippie talk sir.

The study that spawned that idea has been destroyed. It was the idea that when you smack a couple of coyotes, they just have bigger litters the next year, and then you have even more predators. It's something the green weenies invented to push their anti hunting agenda. Nature abhors a vaccum. Areas that are the best will always be filled in when resident predators are killed, but that doesn't make new ones appear from thin air, nor does it change the breeding cycle or the yield. They still only breed once a year, and litter size of any species is confined by condition of health of the mother during pregnancy. Great habitat creates bigger litters and higher survival rates (I'm speaking in generalities here)

 

[big johnson]

If it's a big tom he will probably be on the move. They don't seem to stay in a area very long (looking for love in all the wrong places) ,they are looking for females in heat and if a young tom is around he'll kill it . Cats breed year around not like coyotes. A few years ago we had a big tom that would come through the ranch every winter for several years and we could never catch up with him . I'm sure he came all year long on a regular basis but could't see the tracks without snow. One thing for sure , if people don't kill a few they will put the hurt on a local deer herd (especially in the winter). Just what the anti hunters want. If a cougar kills one deer a week and that deer is carrying two fawns that's three , do the math for five years if all three would live and reproduce.

 

[big johnson]

We got a female on New Years Eve a few years back that had four little ones in her within a week of being born. I told my cousin that he held the record Five with one shot . yes they only breed once a year ,but it can be at any time and they will have their kittens with them for up to sixteen months.

 

[KyCarl]

No dogs? That's crazy! I would use traps and snares Gut pile from a shot deer with a good call lure will bring them in!

 

[BillLarson]

Be cautious around them.They will stalk and attack humans,livestock and pets

 

[Primative]

Pretty good size....

View attachment 345327

I've seen a couple of cats at distance. No biggie. Heard one growl at dawn at some distance... made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

 

[HLecea]

What I would recommend is whenever you get a little new snow is to ride the logging roads looking for fresh tracks then do some calling. I live in Orygun too so there are as many cats as ever in the mountains & foothills. Attached photo is not me. Cat was taken in foothills not far east of Seattle. A big tom. Hunt with a partner!

That cougar is scary huge! Hunt with a partner for sure!

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

Them Cat's are some beautiful animals, have watched them for days while hunting them with a 22 Mag pistol, in UTAH . They are also strong !

 

[Koda_]

The study that spawned that idea has been destroyed. It was the idea that when you smack a couple of coyotes, they just have bigger litters the next year, and then you have even more predators.

Id be open to reading some evidence if you have some. My guess is that study just reflects the severely low sucess rate of not being able to hunt with dogs.

 

[Koda_]

Be cautious around them.They will stalk and attack humans,livestock and pets

Definitely makes me nervous alone. I hunt solo here for deer and this is way off trail in a hole. Im recruiting a hunting buddy but then I have to expose my deer spot to more hunters.

 

[mdw717]

A friend turned me on to this book several years ago. Written by a subject matter expert. The info may be dated but it's still accurate.

"Cougar Killer by Jay C. Bruce"

 

[Hellgate]

Find it here: https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?...author=jay%20c.%20bruce&title=cougar%20killer

 

[Koda_]

"Cougar Killer by Jay C. Bruce"

I just previewed a sample of it on Amazon and its quite captivating, thanks for sharing I might order it. It looks like a good read.

 

[mdw717]

It's a great read.