Son's Cougar Today

"Treed Beyond the River" by Karle H. Granlund from Vancouver Island, is a good read on cougar hunting with hounds. I suspect that if the hounds in the photo belong to the OP or his son, that they will have all ready read this book.
 
I'm no cat expert as this was the first one I have ever seen in the wild and the guide was shocked at the size and quality. They had a dog killed/eaten last Jan. by a cat because they had put it off a deer kill and were only running one experienced dog and the rest green dogs in training. The young dogs stopped to inspect the deer while the vet went after the cat. Once the cat realized it only had one pursuer it laid an ambush for it and killed the dog . When the outfitter found the dog via radio collar the cat had eaten part of it and fled when they approached.People do rant about cougar meat and lynx but the smell of the corpse after being dead several hours was enough for me.Cats will shave a deer hip before eating in and usually start with the entrails first.I was invited along by my son as a spectator and glad I could go.Skinned out cats have a body that is a 100% killing machine.Stories of people punching a cat to save a pet or child seem unlikely or even suicidal at best.Their tail is like a ballast[think kangaroo] very muscular and as big around as a coke can...... Harold
 
Superbrad said:
The hounds in the pic tell the tale........ I went cougar hunting once, and would love to do it again.... but it would take an exercise regimen for sure....... I can walk for miles and miles, but that hunt I was on required lots of running once the hounds got on a cat.....

Apparently it only takes about 10-15 minutes from the time the hounds tree the cat to the time the cat realizes it can demolish a couple of small beagles in seconds....

We did harvest a cat on the hunt, but I was unlicensed and just a witness back then as I was stationed there for military work and went with a friend and his brother.....

I also hear the meat is fantastic.....

Harold, please feel free to debunk any or all of the above as my experience is obviously limited here and just passing along what I was told....
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It's common for the dogs to be on the tree for hrs or even overnight before the hunters catch up , that is why we take a pack of dogs because it's the noise that the cat is scared of not the dogs . As soon as the dogs get tired and stop barking the cat will come down and kill all if it can or the chase is on again. So best effort to be as fast as you can but they can be hard to locate , sometimes hunters have to triangulate the signals or get to high ground etc. I have accomplished friends that are quite experienced at this and was there on two myself . Sadly my good dog died , I hope to go again with the friends dogs someday
 
This kitty has me sported with a million dollar idea.
One can only imagine minding ones own business out in the bush
whether walking, jogging, biking, quadding or the sort.
Have one of these tree monkey's kommahkahzzing down on your neck?
Quiver of arrows on a pack sack pointy side up and a bit long to clear
the top of your head should justify any fur leap advances?
 
bearkilr said:
Like tough, overcooked pork chops. The lynx I've tried was similar. Flavour was rather bland, it didn't really taste like anything other than the few spices I threw on.

Mbogo3- That's a huge cat, congrats to your son!!!!
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I can remember about 8 or 9 years ago at the Kamloops fish and game banquet, someone contributed a cougar ham and I found it quite delicious. Was a little on the tougher side but the flavour was excellent. Have to account for the fact an animal like that is all muscle. Of course it's going to be a bit lean and sinewy.
 
The outfitter had the "wish it were mine " look in his eyes as my son was on a backup list for people that cancelled.The old toms have that squished in type face like an angry old man.Disregard that last statement ....I've just described me! The kill is anti-climatic as just seeing one in the wild was amazing.I wonder how many I've been close to while camping/hunting and never saw? The outfitter has a contract with the AB govt to tranquilize and radio collar cats for studies.They have lost dogs in the past and wolves are attracted to the baying hounds and will kill them if given a chance.Harold
 
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