Cougar on acreage, what gun?

elKrusto said:
I've shot them with 30-30 (170 grain) and 44 magnum (240 grain) and they were dead before they hit the ground...... of course that's shooting them treed at maybe 25 yards. Proper shot placement did the trick.
I shot a treed bobcat one time, about the same distance, with a 20" barrel 12 guage loaded with buckshot, and even though it killed it, I was not impressed as only 3 of the balls hit the bobcat. It was far in the bush, away from anybody, but six of the balls didn't make contact......
If it were me, and I had to choose from your guns, I would use the 6.5x54. You mention "lower power due to neighbors". If you mean you are worried about the bullet travelling too far, then obviously do not take the shot.
I've heard of people shooting them with 357 magnums, and that seems to work too.
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Thanks elKrusto.

I have 158 JHP and SP .357 mag, which would be better on a small cat like this?
 
That's a young cat that's probably been pushed out of it's area by an adult cat. It looks to be about the same size as the cougar I had hanging around our neighborhood.
 
I use jacketed soft point factory ammunition. I am no expert, but I would think that even a jacketed hollow point 158 grain bullet would be devastating on a small cougar if placed in the vitals at 25 yards.
 
That's a young cougar and they can get into mischief just like teenage boys. If you use a shotgun , buckshot is a better choice than slugs assuming close range. The 357 SP or HP will both work fine.
 
If i had to choose one, i would go with the 357 mag. This round out of a longer barrel i surprisingly potent.
 
I like to prepare cougar like boneless Asian dry ribs...Marinate the meat in soy/ginger/garlic/pineapple etc then dredge in seasoned flour or cornstarch and fry or make into stir fry. What is very important is to always remove ALL silver skin or tendon etc. Chomp into some of that stuff and you will think "damn, wtf am I doing eating damn CAT!?" :)
 
350 Mag said:
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I had my dad take a picture of me standing at the business end of the A-10 at the PIMA airforce base... the GAU-8 was big around as my head. Sweet planes.

OP. All those guns are adequate... Cougar hunters tend to use small rounds for shooting them out of trees after hounds treed them. Since you don't intend to just shoot it, (personally I've just kept a few feet away from cougars as it gives me enough reaction time to dodge and I can outrun those ones who's lust twinkled in their eyes... but these four legged examples are a bit quicker) I'd be sticking with the shotgun for all occasions because of that criteria. As for that cat being that comfortable around people: I'd be dinging it with the rifle at a distance if opportunity arises, but for sole self defense the 12ga with buckshot as self defense will mean a close range encounter.
 
Any are suitable but in your circumstances I would pick a shotgun with buckshot.

Call the Game Warden, make it clear that you are afraid for your safety, the safety of your family, and the safety of your property (your dog) and that you expect them to deal with the large predatory animal lurking near your home.

They'll likely give you some excuse, tell them you have a fenced yard, a guardian dog and you've called them and will rely on the Common Law doctrine of Necessity.

If you do take care of it, use a shotgun and call them to report it, one of your neighbours will certainly complain and they will try to get you for dangerous use, hence the shotgun with shot.

Snares are also quiet.
 
I have a place in Crowsnest Pass AB and an elderly friend was hiking one day on a known trail just off of town. He said he heard a noise, looked up and there were 3 cubs in a tree right above him. He said he looked down and up the rail was mama about 75 yards away.... His story, the cougar charged and by the time he got his rifle ( don't know what it was) off his back, aimed and fired, the cougar was about 10-15 feet i front of him. He took it down, but sadly the fish cops put the cubs down too. Anyway, the point is, they cover ground really really quickly so something light, manuverable and with some punch would work. I think I would hike with my .357 lever in that case......just me though.
 
Id get the henry.. get the doggies riled up ..barkin, put em on the leash and put the run on the sob

Cats dont like barkin ... itll move out Or get treed


Errr.. just watch the legalities of doin this.. ??? On your property
Notsure whats the law in bc
 
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