Saw A Cougar For The First Time

the spank

the spank

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Sorry I do not have pics. Was working up in Grande Cache the past week and a half and sunday morning on the way to site I had a Cougar step out of the edge of the bush and cross the road in front of me. I let out a yell to wake my fellow co-workers to see the cat and everyone got to watch as he/she loped off to the bush line 60 yards away. What a sight! Truly a spectacular animal. First I have ever seen in the wild. What really threw me was the colour. It was not the light tan you see in pictures but more of a light/reddish chocolate brown and it had to be 7-8 feet in length from head to tail. The tail was outstretched as it loped across the road. The movement of the legs and body were so fluid. Truly a sight I will never forget. It left me with a sense of "who" the top predator in the bush really is!!
 
They are a spectacular animal. I have had 2 very close unnerving encounters with cougers. The last one happened about 15 years ago, I was within 10-15 feet or so. I think it was as scared as me. I know they say to stay calm and don't run. I don't think I ever screamed so loud or ran so fast.
 
They are quite numerous in our locale ( Cypress hills, AB side is just South ) , but I've never seen one.
My Bro-in-law saw one when he was Bowhunting just North of my house about 4-500 yds.
I'd like to see one, but no luck.
Good on you. Lucky guy I'd say.
 
They are out my way too but have only seen tracks in the snow and mud. They or it or whatever got three of my horses a few years ago. Made a horrible mess but they all healed. My dad had one cross the road in front of him once. One time mule deer hunting I dropped my wife and brother off at the bottom of a coulee and they scared a cougar off of a 5 point elk that it had killed so they phoned me and I was talking to the warden at the time so we went and checked it out. My wife was allowed to keep the antlers and we helped the warden skin it to make sure it wasn't shot and it wasn't. The cat had climbed on its back and clawed like crazy while reaching around its neck and puncturing the elks right jugular vein.
 
I've seen one big tom in the wild, I too wish I had a camera ready, because he was gone in a few moments. I think I may have seen a second cougar at one time, but it was more like a shadow that was there and gone in a split second, and I can't say for sure if it was a cougar. Very cool animals, as long as they're not gnawing on your face.
 
I've seen several over the years, most memorable was a black one that habitats the area around Nordegg, Alberta. Was driving down the David Thompson Highway about 5:00 in the morning, as I rounded a corner I caught it in the headlights walking down the side of the road. My Dad knows some people that were involved in tagging cougars in the area with radio collars. They actually managed to tranquilize two black cougars, and several of the conventional tan cougars and fit them with collars.
 
I remember the first time I saw a cougar in the wild the first time. I was fresh from PEI at the time, and the most dangerous thing there is the wild foxes that roam all over. I remember I came around a corner ahead of two of my buddies and it was standing maybe 20ft away staring right at me... It was quite unverving for a young 18 year old kid. As it started to move toward me my buddies stumbled around the corner and spooked her away.

I tell ya, the Palamino Club can be a scray place at times...

Plasticman said:
I see cougars here walking around transcona all the time!
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They are a sight scarier falling through snowy pine branches after a shot of, yet to be determined lethality, from a .30/30...
 
I hunted them with a party over hounds... we treed one and it wasnt my "turn".... I was still scared as hell it would come my way after shot and felt bad it died that way... very different and surreal experience. ...certainly an alpha predator.
 
I've hunted them a few times and been successful twice both times with hounds and archery gear. Truly amazing animals! I've never seen one without the use of dogs tho! Good on ya I'd go buy a lottery ticket lol
 
Plasticman said:
I see cougars here walking around transcona all the time!
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Haha, what's that nickname? White Trashcona? I kid, I kid.....met my wife at the New Cavalier Inn of all places....come to think of it she does have a year or two on me...

WeatherdoG said:
I remember the first time I saw a cougar in the wild the first time. I was fresh from PEI at the time, and the most dangerous thing there is the wild foxes that roam all over. I remember I came around a corner ahead of two of my buddies and it was standing maybe 20ft away staring right at me... It was quite unverving for a young 18 year old kid. As it started to move toward me my buddies stumbled around the corner and spooked her away.

I tell ya, the Palamino Club can be a scray place at times...
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Worst pickup line ever used on me at the Palamino: "is it hot in here or am I just having another hot flash?" Stay classy Pal....
 
Tastiest meat I've ever consumed..............both kinds.

We have plenty of them here on the island. Years ago, when I was working in the Gold River region. A young fella, I think he was eight years old was attacked while on the beach with his parents. Search party ensued and IIRC an off duty RCMP was attacked while on horseback searching for the villain.


I've only seen two, but I'm sure many of them have seen me. They are elusive creatures.
 
We actual have 2 running around my area. Aperintly the government put them there to lower the deer population... instead they have been lowering the horse and dog population. Found it on my property a few times, now I don't walk out the door with ought my M1 and a full clip. I don't give a rats a$$ if they are protected or not, they go near my animals, or family, its dead,
 
the spank said:
I can say I don't have much interest in hunting one but I would not be averse to shooting one if I felt threatened. The way that big cat moved really left an impression on me. It was so stealthy looking. Quite an impressive animal.
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I agree %100, I dont have any kids, but I have a 17 year old cousin that visits often, and one stood 30 yards away. As soon as he saw it he jumped in my jeep and wouldn't come out. Beleave it or not it was my cat that told me the cougar was there, ears pinned back, growling, Christmas tree tail. By the time I grabbed my M1, it was gone.
 
Seen one when I was a kid trick or treating, Crossed the street maybe 50 yards in front of me and my cousin. Last spring I dropped a 1022 mag in the snow out snowmobiling. Went back after the snow melt a bit and there was fresh tracks on and beside the trail into the clearing I was in, put me on edge for sure even with my 30-06 with me. Imagine hitting a cantaloupe bobbing at you full tilt gotta be pretty lucky. Hope I see another from a further distance next time. Awesome animals
 
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