mtn lion question?

[tim]

I got a mtn lion living near the house. I caught a glimpse of it, chasing a whitetail fawn and than my trail cam got some shots of him. the trail cam is 335 yards from the house as the crow flies. Basically it is on the hill side across from my house. I went and check my cam this morning and got about 6 shots of him. So I saw him Thursday, got picture of him, Saturday and sunday. I check my cam on Monday, this morning.

I walk thru this spot a couple of times a week. Any one heard of a cat attacking a full grown adult. I am not one to pack a gun in the woods unless it is hunting season, and don't want to pack on my training walks, But I am going thru very tall grass with lots of trees and bushes. A lot of the undergrowth is over my head.

Should I just make a lot of noise, or should I start packing a fricken pistol that I just don't want to carry.

I am as pro gun as anyone, just never have been a carry guy.

 

[tim]

couple of night shots of off the camera

 

[Old Hunter]

If it has a lot of deer in the area I wouldn't worry too much. They move around mostly at night. If you find a kill that it buried. Get out of the area, because it will be back for it.

 

[gamegtr]

I wouldn't take a chance. Pack a firearm. Keep in mind a firearm is no guarantee for your safety. These animals are stealthy and they stalk their prey without their prey knowing. Make some noise is a good option, but it will get tiring. If you see the lion, be as big as you can, intimidate the lion! They are beautiful animals but they have one thing in mind,... killing. Although rare, they will attack a human. I have seen it first hand in my line of work which is emergency services. A local couple was walking in a very secluded area with lots of game around. The lion attacked and nearly killed the man but his wife fought if off and they both survived. Google Humboldt County, CA mountain lion attack and you can read the story. Play it safe my friend. Pepper spray is another option for you. SC

 

[Musket Man]

I think the chances of it attacking you are pretty low. Personally I would always rather have a gun and not need it then need a gun and not have it and I rarely go anywhere without a gun. Never know when you will see a coyote and I usually carry a pistol since I got my concealed permit. Where do you live?

 

[Elkoholic307]

I have to ask... why don't you want to carry?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Bear spray will work and its cheap. The only problem is that you might not see the lion before it starts for you.

 

[digger11]

SSS ,shoot, shovel ,and shut up...there I said what everyone is thinking

 

[tim]

I have to ask... why don't you want to carry?

These are work out walks, and I haven't found a good way to carry a pistol that isn't cumbersome. I guess I can throw the .380 in the pocket. I didn't carry living in Alaska, so I figured why in Idaho.

I live in north Idaho, and there are a lot of fawns and calfs in the area.

 

[Musket Man]

Idaho is even more reason to always carry a gun as you could run into a wolf that needs to die at any time

 

[Elkoholic307]

SSS ,shoot, shovel ,and shut up...there I said what everyone is thinking

Congratulations?

 

[HuntWYODon]

Cats attack from behind most of the time. I doubt you would be able to shoot or spray it before he was on you. Still, I would no doubt carry a sidearm. Most of the time human attacks are from hungry juveniles . I won't get into the story by I can attest to how quick a Mtn. Lion will be on your back with its jaws on your neck. An adult lion is stronger than an average man. No doubt here.
Pack a pistol .

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I will be packing in to my deer unit in the dark coming up in a couple of weeks. Regs here in NV do not allow you to carry a firearm while archery hunting. I guess I'll bring some bear spray. Going to be a nerve racking 3 mile hike up looking behind me the whole time...

 

[hardstalk]

I will be packing in to my deer unit in the dark coming up in a couple of weeks. Regs here in NV do not allow you to carry a firearm while archery hunting. I guess I'll bring some bear spray. Going to be a nerve racking 3 mile hike up looking behind me the whole time...

I think if you have a cat tag in your pocket you can carry a pistol. Dont quote me though. I carry in the hills with an archery tag. " but judge how do I defend myself while in a bivy tent with only my bow and arrow?"

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I think if you have a cat tag in your pocket you can carry a pistol. Dont quote me though. I carry in the hills with an archery tag. " but judge how do I defend myself while in a bivy tent with only my bow and arrow?"

I have thought about that, thanks for the advice. I was also thinking that the regs are a little unclear, it says "It is unlawful for any person to: Carry any firearm in the field while hunting under archery regulations."

The term "in the field while hunting", does that apply to having it on my hike and at camp while I am not actually hunting? I may email NDOW on this because I would feel a lot better with my 9mm hiking up the bottom of a draw in the dark.

 

[HuntWYODon]

I have a friend that was Bowhunting. He was sitting in some sage brush for awhile and he said he had a weird feeling a deer or something was watching him from behind . He looked and a Mtn lion was about 10 yds from him just sitting and watching him. He stood up and the cat didnt move. He yelled and waved his bow in the air. It just turned and "walked" away. I told if I could of drawn back, I'd of flung one in his direction . I knew a guy that was a big cat trainer for movies, etc. he had 4 Mtn. Lions . One was declawed and tame... Had its teeth though...on my neck jumped from behind. He had always told me never turn your back on a cat. I had a momentary lapse of memory. I find myself looking behind me now and then when hunting.

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I have been in the field with my bow and gotten that "feeling", nothing came of it but there is something about the vulnerability you feel when by yourself in mountain lion country with only a bow to defend yourself with.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Especially in California where they have no fear of humans anymore because of not being hunted since 1990. Reminds me of same thing when I hunt near Cody Wy. Every year. The grizzlies there have no fear of humans either.

 

[tim]

Did my morning walk this morning. No cat, but the other ridge I walk has a lot of stumps ripped up from bears. So one ridge has a mtn lion the other ridge bears. But the bears have been there for ever. They just run. It just seems weird to have to pack doing your morning exercise in sight of your house.

 

[Never in Doubt]

http://bikemagic.com/mountain-bike-trails/trail-news/mountain-lion-attacks-mountain-bikers.html

I've never seen one while hunting. But I have had the feeling where something is wrong and all the hair on your neck stands up and you just know something/someone is watching you.

In California you can't carry a firearm during archery season. So I carry a razor sharp knife and look behind me often. As long as the lion doesn't surprise me and kill me immediately, I'm gonna slice & dice & cut em' up real nice. That's the plan anyways!