huntingfool Report post Posted February 10, 2015 Wish I'd have thought about it but he's to ripe to cut into now. In fact, he was ripe to begin with. My guess is the last thing he ate was a skunk. I don't think I've encountered a more potent or foul smell than the one that came out of that cat's butt. Like a skunk had been turned into cat crap 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apache7mm Report post Posted February 10, 2015 Awesome, way to go on a big cat, thx for sharing. DAN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BeardownAZ Report post Posted February 10, 2015 That cats huge! What shot were you using? and what size of shell?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntingfool Report post Posted February 10, 2015 #4 buckshot. First shot was Federal 3", the rest wast Estate 2 3/4". There were at least 2 pellets around his eye which should have dropped him, must have flattened on the skull? Had to have been the first shot. G&F guy figured that blinded him. After the volley, he was not moving well at all. I knew he was hit hard. With all the shot I found in him I can't believe he made it out of sight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Havasuhunter Report post Posted February 10, 2015 I'm no mountain lion expert, but that looks huge to me. Just saved a lot of sheep, deer and other game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted February 10, 2015 Awesome cat and experience! Congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarandjr Report post Posted February 10, 2015 Wow, great lion! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted February 10, 2015 thing is huge, what a rush. I am very jealous Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted February 10, 2015 Heck of a great story.....congrats to a great father/daughters day....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntingfool Report post Posted February 10, 2015 I’m getting the comment on how could I have mistaken that cat for a non-lion and that’s a fair question. I have to explain my mindset on stands with my kids. They are young, 6 and 4. Obviously they already have pretty keen eyes (we go look at animals in the forest a lot ) but I want to make sure they get to see the animal before I kill it. It’s no fun for them to go out and for me to sit still and watch and kill stuff and then they can see it when we get up to it. I want them to see the whole thing and experience it with me. With this lion, my daughter on the left got me on it and as soon as I locked on it I was busy trying to get my youngest to see it without making any movement. By the time I looked back up and turned the call back on, I just saw the figure slip from a young stand of oaks and go behind a ponderosa that was blocking my view. This was thick stuff remember, shotgun stand. I raised up my shotgun while it was out of sight and when it appeared it was directly facing me and I could only see it’s head, chest, feet. No tail in view, no profile. I verified large cat and shot it. It weren’t no house cat obviously and I was excited and forgot I’d seen a tail. I did recognize is was a much bigger cat than I’m used to and as soon as it changed angle I was like “of course, way too big to be a bob.” I’m just not ever expecting a lion even in perfect lion country. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nighthawk Report post Posted February 11, 2015 Beautiful cat and great achievement that many of us will never achieve! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted February 11, 2015 That's great congrats on the lion, were you using hand call or electronic? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntingfool Report post Posted February 11, 2015 Foxpro Wildfire, hadn't used any hand calls yet on this stand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRCA1972 Report post Posted February 12, 2015 That is quite the memories you have made for your family and it is great that you had your girls with you. Now that you have had some time to let it all sink in, will you be doing anything different in the event it happens again? I am still waiting for my first called in lion with my boys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntingfool Report post Posted February 12, 2015 That is quite the memories you have made for your family and it is great that you had your girls with you. Now that you have had some time to let it all sink in, will you be doing anything different in the event it happens again? I am still waiting for my first called in lion with my boys. It's still sinking in. It's still keeping me up at night! Few things: 1. Bring extra shells! My heart sank when that lion got out of sight and I was out of ammo. I knew it was hit bad and I have some dog connections so I knew I'd get it, but I would have rather been able to have my girls seen it go down. I almost always have more ammunition as mentioned but the time I went with the bare minimum I needed more. 2. Find the best load for my shotgun with copper plated ammunition. I want more penetration. Yes, I recovered the lion and it didn't go far but the first shot had at least two pellets to the head. Must have not penetrated the skull. The loads I have I tested standing up and they are "good enough", not much gets away with that rig but I want to know I have the best available. Maybe there is something better. Today I ordered 6 different loads of #4, #1 and 00 buck mostly copper plated. I'll do a proper pattern test with a lead sled and see what the best load is. 3. Call premium lion country more often! That was an incredible experience. I know the odds of doing it again aren't good but I have a lot of years of hunting left and I want try. I know a lot of nasty country that I've seen tracks in. They are around. Might as well have them hear a call more often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
