Cougar Question ...

Zbynek · 02-18-2009, 11:20 PM

I am going up to the Ray Benson Snow Park (right by HooDoo) next weekend with a group of Boy Scouts for a snow camp.

What do you think the probability of coming across a cougar or bobcat at that elevation would be right now? I realize the big cats would most likely be following the game to lower country, but I haven't been out scouting any areas in the snow, so I really don't know. I'll be bringing some snow shoes along for a hike, and wondered if packing my rifle along would really be worth it.

Any info is appreciated.

StevenB · 02-19-2009, 06:22 AM

Here is my speculation....

I'd guess younger cats might return before any big game does. Less prey and yet less cat competition. Maybe they could nab a coyote.

I know more about sperm whales. The young and older males return to Alaska before the more dominant healthy sperm whales. Might be cougars survive the same way. Send in the tired old & frisky young ones first.

Have there been any skier sightings of cougars? Any skiers reported missing.

StevenB

baltz526 · 02-19-2009, 06:43 AM

leave it home, unless you are going to the transition zone. all snow= very low odds, 50% snow coverage better odds in my opinion.

Lucky Guy · 02-19-2009, 07:03 AM

I don't think you'll see cougar that high up. I've been spending alot of time looking for cougar on the east slope, 500 - 1000 ft below Santiam Pass over the last month. In the last couple weeks we've had a handful of light snowfalls - perfect for cutting tracks. I've seen NADA, I'm seeing elk and deer at about 3500 feet, but no cat tracks.

Bobcat maybe - I'm finding a fair amount of rabbit tracks up to about 4000 ft, not spending much time higher than that. Unless we get some more snow in the meantime tracking conditions won't be good - it's pretty crusty now with the warmer days. If you decide to try it I'd go north from the Pass into the Jeff wilderness area if you're leaving from the pass. South around Big Lake and behind HooDoo sees alot of snowmobiles this time of year.

If you get out and cut a cougar track and want some backup or help getting it out I'm about 20 minutes away. I'm around this weekend and ready to go on a few minutes notice. I'll pm my cell no.

Good luck with it!

jnicholson · 02-19-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zbynek

I am going up to the Ray Benson Snow Park (right by HooDoo) next weekend with a group of Boy Scouts for a snow camp.

What do you think the probability of coming across a cougar or bobcat at that elevation would be right now? I realize the big cats would most likely be following the game to lower country, but I haven't been out scouting any areas in the snow, so I really don't know. I'll be bringing some snow shoes along for a hike, and wondered if packing my rifle along would really be worth it.

Any info is appreciated.

If I'm hunting in that area there will be slim to no chance a cougar will be there!

StevenB · 02-23-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnicholson

If I'm hunting in that area there will be slim to no chance a cougar will be there!

This may be true but that video you posted sure looked like it included cougar tracks in the snow. Does this give new life to the cougars in snow covered areas?

Here is the link to the video thread...

http://ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=237887

jnicholson · 02-23-2009, 08:50 AM

That valley is owned by one big monster Tom. And I mean he owns it. the deer and elk population hasn't been the same for several years. I keep going back for him because he's so big. Yes those are his tracks and he's smarter than I am so far.

So far.

He's lucky there's a season or I'd be after him all year long!

John