Close Call with a Mountain Lion

[Coloradohunter]

I was set up in a nice natural ground blind cow calling. Heard a few bugles but they headed down to the river where my nephew was setup. When it got toward evening I pulled my light out of my pack and it was dead so I decided to head back to the truck a little early because of the rough terrain. I had walked about 30 yards and realized my hat was still hanging on a branch, so I turned to go back. After about 10 steps I glanced over my right shoulder and saw a big tom lion about 15 yards away slowly stalking towards me. I spun around and finger drew my compound (wasn't going to take the time to hook my release). When I turned the cat stopped and crouched down. It then started to very slowly creep towards me. I yelled as loud as I could to "GET THE @#$% OUT OF HERE". That did not have the desired effect of the lion retreating, instead the lion charged at me and I released my arrow. I did not see the arrow but the lion leaped straight up with his haunches going about 6 feet and his head about 4 feet causing him to somersault in midair. When he hit the ground he did 2 or 3 tumbles away from me into the thick cedar and juniper trees. From his reaction I was sure I had hit him hard. Made a fast adrenaline charged hike to the truck and met up with my nephew. We went back to search the area but couldn't find blood or my arrow. When back at the truck I called our local Wildlife Officer Bob Holder to report a possible dead or wounded lion. We met and agreed to go in at first light to assess the situation. We were joined by Fred Eichler with one of his lion dogs at the parking area and went in to see what we could find. When we got to the site Fred's dog got scent right away. We found the spot where the lion had jumped and tumbled, with lots of tufts of hair on the ground, but no blood. After a little more searching we found my arrow, and close inspection showed no blood anywhere. The dog followed the scent trail for a few hundred yards but we could see no signs of blood. I just gave the lion a haircut across his chest and belly. Best outcome all around, both the lion and me survived!!!!

 

[tdub24]

Wow, that is scary and awesome at the same time. I'm a little surprised the lion fled and didn't continue with his charge, but good for you!

 

[MSUcat61]

Wow!!! Incredible story

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

Wow! After spending the past few weeks archery hunting having to pack in and out in the dark on a lion infested mountain this has been a nightmare of mine. So glad everything turned out. Not being able to carry a gun while bow hunting here in NV always puckers me up when it comes to cats. Thanks for sharing.

 

[25contender]

I got a little adrenaline rush just reading that!! Glad you made it out ok.

 

[cnalder]

Awesome encounter! These are some of the reasons why I bowhunt versus rifle hunt. It just doesn't seam like its as eventful, probably because bowhunters spend more time in the woods.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

That ending could have turned out a lot worse. Glad you spotted it before it was to late.

 

[trkytrack2]

Wow! After spending the past few weeks archery hunting having to pack in and out in the dark on a lion infested mountain this has been a nightmare of mine. So glad everything turned out. Not being able to carry a gun while bow hunting here in NV always puckers me up when it comes to cats. Thanks for sharing.

Bear spray works on cats too. Just saying.

 

[Dan Man]

Incredible Story! Happy for the outcome...

 

[bz_711]

That made me nervous...even just sitting here in my office...

 

[velvetfvr]

Wow, that was a NFG moment there. Glad your ok.


Sent from my iPhone using tapatalk

 

[hardstalk]

Crazy story. Only thing that would have made it better would be a lifesize mount of the kitty at the end! I have a buddy with a similar story but his wife was video recording him calling when a cat appeared in the backround. She was trying to tell him about the cat while whispering to him from 10 yards away and he didnt believe her until he turned to look. He jumped and yelled, but the cat never flinched. Its a million dollar video!

 

[Coloradohunter]

I was set up in a nice natural ground blind cow calling. Heard a few bugles but they headed down to the river where my nephew was setup. When it got toward evening I pulled my light out of my pack and it was dead so I decided to head back to the truck a little early because of the rough terrain. I had walked about 30 yards and realized my hat was still hanging on a branch, so I turned to go back. After about 10 steps I glanced over my right shoulder and saw a big tom lion about 15 yards away slowly stalking towards me. I spun around and finger drew my compound (wasn't going to take the time to hook my release). When I turned the cat stopped and crouched down. It then started to very slowly creep towards me. I yelled as loud as I could to "GET THE @#$% OUT OF HERE". That did not have the desired effect of the lion retreating, instead the lion charged at me and I released my arrow. I did not see the arrow but the lion leaped straight up with his haunches going about 6 feet and his head about 4 feet causing him to somersault in midair. When he hit the ground he did 2 or 3 tumbles away from me into the thick cedar and juniper trees. From his reaction I was sure I had hit him hard. Made a fast adrenaline charged hike to the truck and met up with my nephew. We went back to search the area but couldn't find blood or my arrow. When back at the truck I called our local Wildlife Officer Bob Holder to report a possible dead or wounded lion. We met and agreed to go in at first light to assess the situation. We were joined by Fred Eichler with one of his lion dogs at the parking area and went in to see what we could find. When we got to the site Fred's dog got scent right away. We found the spot where the lion had jumped and tumbled, with lots of tufts of hair on the ground, but no blood. After a little more searching we found my arrow, and close inspection showed no blood anywhere. The dog followed the scent trail for a few hundred yards but we could see no signs of blood. I just gave the lion a haircut across his chest and belly. Best outcome all around, both the lion and me survived!!!!

An update on this post. It seems i did hit the lion after all. Officer Bob Holder called me last night and said the lion was found by another hunter about 1/2 mile from where it charged me. My arrow hit it low in the chest and did enough damage to be fatal. That explains the cats reaction to the shot. Why no blood is a mystery though.

 

[Coloradohunter]

Im carrying spray from now on!!!

 

[hardstalk]

Is he going to let you have the cape?!

 

[In God We Trust]

Maybe I shouldn't say this on an online forum but I don't give a S$%T if a state game and fish agency has a rule about hand guns and archery hunting. I carry one whenever I am in the woods for threats to myself and hunting buddies like this one. Glad you made it out my friend. Good to see a cat that has the balls to charge a human is dead!

 

[dhershberger]

Awesome story! I have never had a close encounter like that in the woods with a cougar but whenever I'm archery hunting I'm packin just in case!

 

[elkmtngear]

Had a similar encounter in CO a few years back, but the cat opted to turn tail and walk away when I drew my bow. Makes the walk back in the evening a little spooky!

 

[trophyhill]

wow! hair raising experience Dennis! glad the outcome wasn't a lot worse!

 

[trkytrack2]

Maybe I shouldn't say this on an online forum but I don't give a S$%T if a state game and fish agency has a rule about hand guns and archery hunting. I carry one whenever I am in the woods for threats to myself and hunting buddies like this one. Glad you made it out my friend. Good to see a cat that has the balls to charge a human is dead!

This happened in Colorado where you are allowed to carry a handgun while archery hunting. Wyoming amended it's archery laws a few years ago and now also allow you to carry a handgun while archery hunting. But I agree with you....no law would keep me from carrying for protection from man or beast.