I finally got my Mountain Lion back from my taxidermist. I had the opportunity to take this guy while I was deer hunting. No dogs or traps to take this one probably just dumb luck more then anything. Being at the right place at the right time.
He was actually stalking a couple deer in my feeder pen. What was truly amazing to me is he was less than 20 yards from the deer and they had no idea at all. I watched him for a good minute or two before I could process it all and get my gun out the blind window. After shooting all I saw was him jump up and a 3 foot tail whip around. I thought no way I missed but maybe I did..... It was about to start getting dark so I figured I better go see if I have blood or something. I sure as hell didn't want to tell the guys I had a chance to take a mountain lion and I missed. But the fact I needed to go track down a possible wounded lion freaked me out a bit. So I put on my backpack grabbed my AR and my sidearm and headed up the side of the hill towards my feeder pen. I found him less then 20 yards from where I shot him. I swear to god he looked like he was still alive though. So before I went to pick him up I shot him one more time with my 22 pistol in the chest. He was indeed done.
After loading him up I texted my buddies to wait at the main gate. Just told them I have something they wouldn't believe. As I am coming around the road to the main gate I see a truck waiting that had my buddies stopped. It was the Game Warden. In that instance I wasn't 100% sure it was legal to take a mountain lion.....When I pulled up the game warden asked for my hunting license. As I was fumbling to pull it out she made the comment that I had a deer on my trailer. I said no it is a cat. It was at that time dark and she just saw a tan hide on the trailer. The look on her face was priceless she seemed confused. She walks over with her flashlight takes a look then yells for her partner to come over. Im thinking oh **** Im done what is this going to cost me...... Then shortly after that they asked if they could take pictures with it and hand me their phones. They had never seen one up close. I was a bit relieved I had done nothing illegal and they were more excited then I was. I then had to say do you still want to see my license? They had forgot all about checking us. lol
For me this was a hunt that I will likely never be able to top, this is my trophy of a lifetime.
What I saw when I walked up on him
Back at Camp - Unfortunately I have no pictures bear hugging him. I did not know is what your are supposed to do until he was in the freezer.
He was 115lbs!
His Paws
Finished at the Taxidermist 21 months after dropping him off. Well worth the wait!!!
Mounted in living room at house
He was actually stalking a couple deer in my feeder pen. What was truly amazing to me is he was less than 20 yards from the deer and they had no idea at all. I watched him for a good minute or two before I could process it all and get my gun out the blind window. After shooting all I saw was him jump up and a 3 foot tail whip around. I thought no way I missed but maybe I did..... It was about to start getting dark so I figured I better go see if I have blood or something. I sure as hell didn't want to tell the guys I had a chance to take a mountain lion and I missed. But the fact I needed to go track down a possible wounded lion freaked me out a bit. So I put on my backpack grabbed my AR and my sidearm and headed up the side of the hill towards my feeder pen. I found him less then 20 yards from where I shot him. I swear to god he looked like he was still alive though. So before I went to pick him up I shot him one more time with my 22 pistol in the chest. He was indeed done.
After loading him up I texted my buddies to wait at the main gate. Just told them I have something they wouldn't believe. As I am coming around the road to the main gate I see a truck waiting that had my buddies stopped. It was the Game Warden. In that instance I wasn't 100% sure it was legal to take a mountain lion.....When I pulled up the game warden asked for my hunting license. As I was fumbling to pull it out she made the comment that I had a deer on my trailer. I said no it is a cat. It was at that time dark and she just saw a tan hide on the trailer. The look on her face was priceless she seemed confused. She walks over with her flashlight takes a look then yells for her partner to come over. Im thinking oh **** Im done what is this going to cost me...... Then shortly after that they asked if they could take pictures with it and hand me their phones. They had never seen one up close. I was a bit relieved I had done nothing illegal and they were more excited then I was. I then had to say do you still want to see my license? They had forgot all about checking us. lol
For me this was a hunt that I will likely never be able to top, this is my trophy of a lifetime.
What I saw when I walked up on him
Back at Camp - Unfortunately I have no pictures bear hugging him. I did not know is what your are supposed to do until he was in the freezer.
He was 115lbs!
His Paws
Finished at the Taxidermist 21 months after dropping him off. Well worth the wait!!!
Mounted in living room at house
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