1st annual ifish Cougar hunt

[Bait O' Eggs]

There has been some recent talk on ifish about putting together a cat hunt east, maybe trout creek, or another spot we have a reasonable chance of success.

It is never too early to start planning. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Should we try to put together a trip this year, or wait until the first of next year for those that dont have a tag this year? suggestions?

I would think snow would be good for tracking since my nose doesnt work as well as a hound. Do we pick a weekend and give it a shot (pun intended ), or try to be more flexible and go when the weather ups our chance at finding an elusive cat.

I would be willing to take my wall tent (14x18), and wood stove and could bunk a few people in it. If you snore dont even ask :tongue:

We need to decide the following

1. date
2. location
3. agreed upon rules like maybe some safety issues, (like maybe to attend you have to be wearing 144 sq inches of hunter orange )
4. other

I would assume a weekend would be best for most I think it will be fun for the hunters on ifish to get together and do some group hunting, for the most part when it comes to fishing we kind of share locations, but our hunting honey holes are kept pretty secretive and unit names is about as close as we get to each others secret spot.

Anybody and everyone is welcome to attend the first ifish cat hunt. I can see some matching shirts being made up now

Anybody got a lead on some high cat concentrations, bringing home a fur ball the first year would be a nice start.

[Swamp Puppy]

count me in...have tag, will travel.

[Rauly]

Okay BOE. I vote you in as the Hunt Miester. Get it organized. This will be a great hunt.

You may also need to see a taylor to get 144 inches of orange on. If need you can put an extra 100 on me and just stick close.

I don't snore but, don't put me to close to the wood stove.....It could be hazardous to all of our health.

It would be fun just to go on this hunt and see a lion.

Rauly

[ 11-03-2003, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: Rauly ]

[Bait O' Eggs]

Dang Rauly you and your super human moderator powers. I just checked in to see if anybody is interested in this trip and I couldnt find my post

I was getting mad thinking maybe it was deleted for being some sort of floatilla thingy and not approved. Then I see it pinned to the top :blush:

Are you sure you want me to organize anything I will probably end up with myself bunked with the girls, and you sleeping out in the snow :tongue: Hey this could work out well [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Rauly is the first one banned from the tent for not having an approved MSDS sheet on fumes [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

I got 100 inches of orange I would like to pin on you


Somebody must have some suggestions on a time and place, dont make me pick everything out, unless you want to blame me for the reason of failure. I know little to nothing about cat hunting, might as well make it a combined wolf/cougar trip

Wildhawg, when is the best time to do this trip?
Skein, where should we go?
Tailchaser, what does a cat look like?
Anybodyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...........

[Miss B Haven]

Originally posted by Bait O' Eggs:
might as well make it a combined wolf/cougar trip
Anybodyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...........

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Hey- you guys are going to need to go to Washington if you're hunting Cougers and Wolves.

Rauly- I don't see any problem with BOE getting 144 sq inches of Orange on. As long as it's 1 inch high and 144 inches wide. :grin:

[Swamp Puppy]

hey BOE..got room in that tent for me? i don't snore and i am not likely to combust if placed to close to the stove.

[skein]

Fellas, as some of you know, I have a cougar hunting video - El Gato - and it's pretty good. I learned quite a bit from it.

I'll send it around, but I NEED to have it back for the Thanksgiving holiday since I have family coming who will want to see it.

How about "Team Gato" as a group name?

There's much planning to do for a hunt like this, not the least of which is just the logistics of getting there and back in a reasonable time-frame.

Skein

Do you need a short heavy set person to come with you?
I might be able to go.

[Rauly]

Gosh BOE ever since Jen made me a moderator and gave me this magic mouse, all got to do is wave it over the computer and I can do anything. :grin:

Here I go again..... wave over the box and POOOFFF BOE is camp cook for the Team Gato couger hunt. :shocked: I'd like chili and a spot close to you BOE

Maybe call ODFW and ask them for some areas that they may be having problems with cougers or just have high couger populations.

[ 11-04-2003, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: Rauly ]

[sturgn]

Im in got the Barrel and Scope coming for the Kitty Getter, 26" Fluted Heavy .22-250 with a 6x-24x-50 scope cant wait, I think we should do a couple of hunts, I work weekends so during week better for me, I dont have a Couger tag, but I will have Bobcat tag and ready for Dogs until the first of the year. I know an area me and my boy saw 5 Bobcats in 7 days and the dogs where thick.

I think we should wait until December atleast, then Bobcats will be open. I have inlisted a Master varmint caller to join us.

Can you tell Im ready??

Lets do it!

[ 11-03-2003, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

[Swamp Puppy]

if someone can let me know about where we want to hunt, i can do some of the ground work as far as calling ODFW biologists and the like.

-or- i can just fire up the phone and see where it leads me.

[skein]

Moss,

I think there will be some of us who can travel all the way across the state (Trout Creek Mts) to hunt these guys, but most need to target a place closer to home. John Day or Pendleton might be reasonable, or down around Summer Lake near Paisley, or maybe right here in the valley.

As others have suggested, we probably need to contact ODFW and find out where they're seeing the most predation, or where the complaints are coming from. That's where contacts or just phone-time can really pay off.

I also think a lot of us are still focusing on an elk hunt and will be able to concentrate more on a cat hunt as November winds down. At any rate, an Ifish Cat Hunt could be just the thing to get us through the winter doldrums.

Skein

[Bait O' Eggs]

I agree with Skein, Trout creek is a tough trip for a weekend cat hunt, get off work at 5 on Friday, loaded and on the road by 6 if all goes well, arrive trout creek well after midnight, short night sleep, hunt saturday, leave mid day Sunday to get home in time to be at work on Monday, ... trout creek is tough for a weekend hunt

We need a place that is not to far of a drive for a weekend hunt, and a spot that is easy to find so we can find each other as we drag into camp.

Got a little buck hunting to do yet, then I we need to find some cats so we can hunt thru the winter.

But we can do this

[KingFisher85]

Put me on the list...I wanna do some cat huntin :grin:

[blast and cast]

There are a fair number of cougers in the Murders Creek area near flag tail mountain, east of Izee. My deer hunting group killed two cats and a bear in the area. This year a good friend was elk hunting in the same area and talked with the fish and wildlife boys from down the road. They said that this spring they tagged 50 juvinile elk and in 4 weeks had lost 32 to confirmed cat kills.

If the hunt dates do not interfere with my our pending child birth (due December 26) I will go.

Joey

[pdxkevin]

I would love to go.... have tag, have gun, too! 26" fluted heavy barrel on 300 win mag with a 3x9x50... just can't get travel that far right now. :depressed:

Please add my name to the Western Oregon Cougar Hunt, if such a thing is created.

As far as concentrations, I beleive they are still highest in the SW and NE.

Here is some info for the WOCH:

...Northwest Cougar Hunters... {clip}

{clip} ...sightings, damage complaints and cougar taken on damage problems, all indicate a population that has dramatically increased in number and distribution in the last several years. Hunting cougar is a challenge, but harvest of these elusive game animals is on the increase... more of that article


I would love to see that video! Please let me know when it is being shown out near the foothills west of Portland.

[Bounty Hunter]

I'd like to go along too. I've never seen a cat in the wild, but I've called in a few dogs and javalina before (down south). I don't have my tag, and since the Oct. deadline has passed maybe I can just come along to shoot coyotes that happen to wander in.

Do you think someone can print us up some "Anti-Snagging" gillie suits so we can distinguish ourselves as true ifish Gato hunters?

[1eyed]

I would be able to go. I will be bow hunting for the last 2 weeks in Nov., so maybe in Dec. sometime we could plan a hunt.

[KingFisher85]

End of Dec would be a good time :grin:

[Norm]

I wonder if carrying a raw liver sandwich in your pocket is considerd baiting :grin: . Late December when there is snow on the ground might be the best bet. It should concentrate the cats down low in the elk and deer winter ranges.

[sturgn]

We hunted the Upper Calipoua(Have no Idea how to spell that!) but in an area of about 3 mile radious we saw 5 sets of cat tracks, and numerous Bobcat and Yote tracks, and there are not many deer there! I will be spending some time in this area, but its so thick I have no idea how we would pull one out.

I would like to vote for the east fort rock unit there is a wintering area for deer there and I have seen alot of track while deer hunting over there, but it will have to be a trip during the week for me to go!

[Swamp Puppy]

Skein - my deer season ended yesterday and i'm not hunting elk this season..so i've got the time to start some investigations.

i'll start making a few calls to the ODFW offices in the north/central part of the state. maybe try a few ranger stations as well.

i figure i'll start around sisters and move north to the columbia river sicking to the central oregon areas east of the cascades and see what sort of info i can come up with. this will probably take me a few days, but i'll post the info as i get it so everyone can see it.

[skein]

Thanks, M_3.5, that will really help.

I sent the cat hunting video home with Rauly yesterday, and we'll try to circulate it to everyone who's interested. I think I'll start a new thread just about the video so we can get a list of those wanting to see it, as well as comments from the viewers. I watched it probably three times and learned quite a bit from it.

I anxious to find out what you learn from your calls. Maybe that, too, should go in a separate thread, so we don't miss new information just because a thread is old and we think we've read everthing in it.

I'm pretty excited about the prospects. :grin:

Skein

[Swamp Puppy]

i'll make a thread for it as soon as i get some info together. sounds like a good idea to me.

also, if that video ends up anywhere near the St Helens area let me know. i'd love to watch it.

[sturgn]

We should try for a combo hunt and go shoot a Feral pig while where out, theres got to be some somewhere.....

[Swamp Puppy]

i've asked around about the pigs...the only response i've ever gotten was, "go to california". i hear that there might be some down in southern oregon close to the border, but not in any great numbers.

i'm up for a pig hunt too...if anyone knows where we can shoot a few.

[pdxkevin]

Originally posted by Mossberg_3.5:

i'm up for a pig hunt too...if anyone knows where we can shoot a few.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">That would be a fun hunt too. I called a while back and got on "the list" but haven't heard anything more since...

[Sturgeon Tom]

BOE I would love to go.

I also would like to put my name in for a spot in the tent.

I have cook stove etc I could bring.

I don't have a tag for this year though.

I can and will go anytime. You set the time and place after I can get a tag and I am there.

I also have a 2001 4 dr super duty 4x4 (V-10 no rattle :grin: )that we can use if people want to ride together.
Anything I can help on let me know.
Tom

[sturgn]

I just got the best part of the Kitty Getter, what do ya think! .22-250 26" Heavy barrel, realtree camo and gunna be a blast to shoot! Now I just need to get my scope on and its shooting time!

[straightweave]

Pig huntin'- according to the guys at ODFW, the only real feral pigs are on and around Les Schwabb property around Prineville. Again, not great #'s, but they told us that if we asked around, the farmers in that area would be more than happy to let us have a go.... food for thought.

[skein]

You guys go ahead, but this fat boy is concentrating on cats. According to the reports, there are cats at just about every point on the compass. I'm not gonna get sidetracked trying to work in a pig. Besides, the pigs aren't eating elk and deer.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty.... :grin:

Skein

[Prawnasorus]

Just some added info for the aspiring Cat Hunters. I spoke with a hunting buddy in Burns today, His brother works out in the Steens quite a bit, apparently he has found cougar killed deer in about every drainage that comes off the Steens into Catlow valley. Home Creek, etc. Just a thought if you are over that way. (most of the kills were large bucks).

[ScottD]

Anyone know what a non-resident cougar tag costs? I think a deer scouting/cougar hunting trip to the Steens is in order for my brother and me. We have been applying for the Steens for 5 years and I think the odds are pretty good for us to draw tags next year; so a cougar hunt in the Steens would be a good way to learn the area. I have an Oregon huning license already, so I just need to check into what a cougar tag will cost me.

[skein]

ScottD,

Looks like a non-resident cougar tag is going to run you 151.50. Not a cheap thrill, is it. At least not when you consider us residents only pay $10.

Skein

[ScottD]

$151 is too high for me. I guess if I want to kill a cougar, I'll have to use my Washington tag that I purchased as a package deal with my deer, elk, and bear tags.

Seems to me that with the population problem of cats in Oregon and Washington that they should have a year round season and non-resident fees should be lower.

[WildHawg]

How'd I miss this thread?
WHEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need to head to where there are concentrations of deer/elk and high #'s of cougars. The Trout Creeks are an obvious spot, with an area called Stony Creek (between Mahogany Ridge and Red Mountain) an excellent choice due to it's relatively easy access, wintering herds (as evidenced by the many sheds I've found), proximity to farmlands and a little feed, and the nature of the land, which makes this a natural funnel for many of the deer in this unit.
Oregon Canyon would be another great choice, but more difficult to get too if we get harsh weather. One could focus on the lowlands on the Mcdermitt Creek or Oregon Creek drainages though and expect to find both deer and kitty's.
Northeast would be a great spot too, as it is closer, but I would favor the Trout Creeks myself.
Time could be a factor for me as well, since I've likely walked into a real job that will begin in early December (crap!)--oh well, too much money to pass up, but I'll find the time somehow.
It's a long trip, but the country is breathtaking, and holds some of the highest potential for large cats in Oregon.
As for timing, I think a trip very soon would be rewarding. Getting to see those big bucks in rut is a treat, and the cats are getting very hungry with this colder weather.

Now, for a team name!
My personal vote is for "The ***** Posse"--not for the double entendre, but because it's real catchy, and would look good on a shirt with a cougar in a crosshair!
Let's do it soon.

[sturgn]

How bout something like this?



[ 11-15-2003, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

[Ras]

HEY!!!

Like WildHawg, I just found this post. Been out of town (Business [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img] ) most of the last 2 weeks, so I am just getting up to snuff.

Yes, I too have a NEED to do the Trout Creeks. And, time will be tough for me as well, but I should be able to swing a 3-4 day trip.

Hawg, I remember you mentioning the west side of the range in the past; I am most familiar with the mid to east side; pretty much Sherman Field - east. The cats (deer) will soon be in the lower elevations, which I have chased around in alot as well, and can get us into some of the areas where we might be able to find the herds. How long have you been chasing around in that country? You obviously know it pretty well; not alot do.

Ras

[King Kong]

Is this an invitation only event?? I like the crosshairs on the cat!!! I have been talking with some friends about trying a cat hunt, no experience cat hunting. It is something that I would really like to try!!

[skein]

Kevin King,

No, it's not an invitation only event, but because we're going to be a team, or teams, of guys with rifles and very little experience hunting cats, we're wanting to do a get-together and meet each other and lay down some ground rules. The last thing we want to do is get anyone cross-threaded or worse, injured.

We've got a video on cat hunting that's circulating, so get your name on the list and we'll see that it ends up in your hands for a look-see before you pass it on to the next guy. Kind of a training film. :grin:

Then we have to decide when and where and who and all that other stuff. We've still got guys finishing up their seasons or hunting out-of-state, and we don't want to leave them behind. We're figuring on the end of November to start pulling the details together and finding a time and place to meet.

If that works for you, send me your address by email and I'll put you on the video list. If you've got questions or comments, this thread is a good place to air them, since many of us probably have the same questions.

Welcome to the crew!

Skein

[Swamp Puppy]

i'll start with the phone calls this week. i was busy doing my best to reduce the local waterfowl population last week. ha ha.

i guess the first thing i should find out is if any of the hunt zone quotas have been met yet. after that i'll just start chatting with the area wildlif biologists and posting the info in a thread for that subject.

i would like to mention that i am not volunteering to name our hunting area however. being that i have only hunted the "wet" side, most of you have a greater knowledge of the areas we will be hunting than i do..so it should be up to someone that has practical experience in that matter. i'll just post up the info so people can read it and make a decision based on that.

[WildHawg]

I thought of "Puma Posse", along with "The Catmount Corraler's--I guess it was the double entendre I liked :tongue:
I'd vote for the Puma Posse--seein as how ya already have a logo for us. Good idea too, a cat in the crosshairs!

Ras, check your e-mail for "the rest of the story".

[Swamp Puppy]

started the new thread with the results of sme phone calls.

[TheTexan]

Skein,

Count me in I have a tag and could go anytime! Let me know if you need any help with calling or setting things up.

Thanks!

[BIG4_score]

Count me in!!!! I have seen growing numbers in areas we bowhunt and would love to try out my new 240 baby J when it arrives. MEEEEOOOOOW :grin:

[Boedy]

Remember that these are running around out there. My Cousin shot one over in the Beulah unit that was 8 feet from its nose to butt ( not Tail) and was 220+ pounds this year.

[KingFisher85]

So what are we gonna do after we get one? How much would it cost for a person to get just a rug or something? What all could a person do to one after they kill one of them cats?

What would be the best caliber gun to use? 22mag, 223, 22-250, 243, 308????

[ultramag]

I would love to get in on one of these hunts.

[skein]

Kingfisher85,

All of those should work except the 22 mag. We won't be able to tree him, so one of the fast, flat 22 centerfires should be the best. A 243 would also be good. They don't seem to pack a lot of lead, so you don't really need anyting with huge knockdown power. You need something that will hit the dot at 200+ yards. And I do mean the dot. The last thing we want is one wounded and running away from us. We would never be able to track it down without dogs, and that's not an option.

What's going to count is a cool hand, an accurate rifle, and enough bullet weight and speed to close the deal with one shot. That's the ticket.

Skein

[Boedy]

25-06?

[Swamp Puppy]

i'll probably be packing my .30-06..i'll need to find a light bullet for it. i may go with the 150gr PSP's..i am confident shooting those.

i know, it's a lot of gun for the hunt, but it's what i've got.

[skein]

The word "confident" is more important to me than the caliber or bullet size. And Boedy, that 25-06 ought to be strong long-range cat medicine.

Just an update, the cat video is making its rounds. I'll post who has it as well as a list of who has had it on the "Cat Video" thread. Your turn is coming!

Skein

[KingFisher85]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard 243 and a 22-250 (22-250 necked down from the 243?)
I'll have to go and put them both on paper and do some shooting.
Sure hope I can go on this. My bday is the 29th of december, so I'm pretty sure I have a day right there. Would love to shoot a cat :grin:

[Swamp Puppy]

arrrgh!!

guys, i am probably not going to make the hunt this season. there is a slim chance i can still make it, depending on the date, but the ammount of free time i am going to have starting just after thanksgiving has dropped to about zero.

this sounds like a lot of fun and i will try to arrange my schedule to make it if at all possible, but the probablility has dropped pretty low.

[MarlinMark]

Has a date and location been decided?

Mark

[skein]

No date or location has been set. I've been swallowed up by a kitchen remodel, but that's just about done. I'm hoping we can put something together early December.

Skein

[Snapset]

I am interested in this hunt. Depending on the date, I would like to go. I have a tag, and seeing as how I have been working all year on improving the deer and elk populations by failing to shoot any this fall, I think I should continue that theme by removing some of the competition. I am somewhat familiar with the McDermitt area through rochounding, and I have hunted the Murderers Creek unit mostly around Bear Valley. My truck is pretty much plum tuckered out, so the only reliable transportation I can provide would be my conversion van, which does not take a person very far into cat country, especially the Trout Creeks, but I am good for gas money and lots of gear.

[sturgn]

Has anyone gone scouting or anything yet?? I havent but I am planning to week after next when I return from the land of Fruits and Nuts( OOOops)(California)...... Just thought I would check and see if theres still interest, after Jan 1 I will be ready to go get them for sure!

[ 12-11-2003, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: sturgn ]

[Swamp Puppy]

i thought it was the land of fruits and nuts?

[ScottD]

Thought some of you guys would like reading this thread about cougars: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...5&o=14&fpart=1