406LIFE
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2016
- Messages
- 3,129
In nearly all of my hunts what I think of after the shot is the work to be done: field dressing, packing out, processing. But as I approached the downed mountian lion, I simply felt a warm relief. The shot had been good, the work had paid off, and what needed to go right, did.
The morning started out early and black, running roads looking for a track. The first good snowfall in weeks was tapering off giving a perfect blanket for an animal to leave behind sign. After driving a handful of drainages and not finding any prints, a call came in that one was found on the first road. That meant it was less than three hours old, very fresh.
The dogs were eager with the scent around them. We led them up the trail and after fifty yards let them loose to find what they knew was close. The cat was smart, doubling back on its tracks a couple of times. Then I heard it.
"Treed."
We scrambled up the mountain hoards the barking. Pushing through the undergrowth we landed on a logging road half eroded away. Two more steps and I looked up to see my first mountain lion 30 feet up an old Doug-fir stating back at me. It causes you to stop in your tracks and just stare.
Every animal has an intrinisic value and remarkable unquiness. I try to learn more about their behavior, ecology, and status, not just strategy. A better understanding feeds a keener appreciation and finding a predator that doesn't want to be found is an unequivocal task.
As I reached down to touch the molly I was caused to pause in deep connection to this animal. It was a moment unlike any other I have had as a hunter. It was a pause I hope to have again someday.
The morning started out early and black, running roads looking for a track. The first good snowfall in weeks was tapering off giving a perfect blanket for an animal to leave behind sign. After driving a handful of drainages and not finding any prints, a call came in that one was found on the first road. That meant it was less than three hours old, very fresh.
The dogs were eager with the scent around them. We led them up the trail and after fifty yards let them loose to find what they knew was close. The cat was smart, doubling back on its tracks a couple of times. Then I heard it.
"Treed."
We scrambled up the mountain hoards the barking. Pushing through the undergrowth we landed on a logging road half eroded away. Two more steps and I looked up to see my first mountain lion 30 feet up an old Doug-fir stating back at me. It causes you to stop in your tracks and just stare.
Every animal has an intrinisic value and remarkable unquiness. I try to learn more about their behavior, ecology, and status, not just strategy. A better understanding feeds a keener appreciation and finding a predator that doesn't want to be found is an unequivocal task.
As I reached down to touch the molly I was caused to pause in deep connection to this animal. It was a moment unlike any other I have had as a hunter. It was a pause I hope to have again someday.
