Hunter, Elk....Mountain Lion not a good combo

[357 S&W]

Friends,
One of my buddy has sent this over. I am not sure if it is a joke or for real, he writes and I quote here
"This is freaking scary. As you know I was alone when I downed this elk in ND. I was using my camera’s timer attached to my shooting stick to give me enough time to get into the picture. I knew there were a lot of cats in the area but had no idea they would come in this close to people. He had to be within 10 feet of me and I didn’t even know it. I about crapped my pants when I looked at the pictures the next morning and saw he was there."

Anyways enjoy the picture and I hope no one gets in that situation ever. I do know an incident which occurred in Montana last hunting season when a hunter was field dressing the Elk he had shot and he was mauled by a grizzly bear, the bear ended up with two kinds of meat.

[Baljit]

Yes it's freaking scary. you know when you are on hunting trip you never know what you are going to find, because it's happend with us when we are on hunting trip up north for moose about 12 years ago, we shoot the moose about 6:30 in the morning and we working on moose and grizzly bear showed up,we spot him about 50 yards or so but we have a time to grab are guns and we got him to, bear is not that big it's 3 may be 4 years old but still it's scary.

Baljit

[Sakobav]

375

This could happen although Mountain Lions would probably stalk or get attracted by the gun noise / smell just like grizzlies figured out shot means dinner bell and led to such attacks/accidents. Again with this time age of photo mock up - hopefully its not one of those Bogzilla thingy..

Best

[prashantsingh]

What a beutiful Elk.
Unlike other animals Cats (including big cats) can be really soft footed.
I have heard stories from old time shikaris who would wait through the night on a machaan over a tiger kill/bait and would not hear a thing. On coming down the next morning they would see pugmarks all over. The big cat would come in and go away silently like a spirit leaving behind just enough proof, as if it were mocking at the hunter.
This snap is a perfect example. The mountain lion surely had the last laugh.

[Sakobav]

Baljit

Thats a great story
Prashant may be the flash of camera scared him off -- Yes the stories of big cats are legendary - Corbett had similar few experiences.

But here are the tips for things not to do when confronting a mountain Lion



with great balls of fire attempt this stunt



Best

[xl_target]

The big cats can also be incredibly fast even if you are prepared.

[youtube][/youtube]

[prashantsingh]

Amazing Video xl,
That gentleman is lucky to be alive today.
Reminds me of a video (on U tube) of a tigress in Assam jumping on to an elephant and injuring the mahout (mahawat). It's a fantastic video which shows some forest officers trying to dart a tigress which has strayed out of the jungles, into a paddy field. The video shows how the big cat just vanishes (perfectly camouflaged) into the crop and suddenly springs out of it and pounces onto the person sitting on the elephant.
Tigers in the sundarbans have been known to jump out of the water and pull down fishermen sitting on their boats , somewhat like a croc.
What powerful beasts. It will be the greatest loss to our nation if we continue to loose these majestic animals.

P.S. I wonder if someone can post that video here.

[357 S&W]

Yes it's freaking scary. you know when your on hunting trip you never know what you are going to find, because it's happend with us when we are on hunting trip up north for moose about 12 years ago, we shoot the moose about 6:30 in the morning and we working on moose and grizzly bear showed up,we spot him about 50 yards or so but we have a time to grab are gun and we got him to, bear is not that big it's 3 may be 4 years old but still it's scary.

Baljit

Baljit,
That's a situation I do not want to be in. I am glad you made the best out of it.


-- Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:53 am --

Amazing Video xl,
That gentleman is lucky to be alive today.
Reminds me of a video (on U tube) of a tigress in Assam jumping on to an elephant and injuring the mahout (mahawat). It's a fantastic video which shows some forest officers trying to dart a tigress which has strayed out of the jungles, into a paddy field. The video shows how the big cat just vanishes (perfectly camouflaged) into the crop and suddenly springs out of it and pounces onto the person sitting on the elephant.
Tigers in the sundarbans have been known to jump out of the water and pull down fishermen sitting on their boats , somewhat like a croc.
What powerful beasts. It will be the greatest loss to our nation if we continue to loose these majestic animals.

P.S. I wonder if someone can post that video here.

Here you go Prashant...




-- Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:57 am --

375

This could happen although Mountain Lions would probably stalk or get attracted by the gun noise / smell just like grizzlies figured out shot means dinner bell and led to such attacks/accidents. Again with this time age of photo mock up - hopefully its not one of those Bogzilla thingy..

Best

I spoke to him again and he insists there are a lot many cats out there, You are right, when I was in Yellewstone in August, the rangers did mention it to me about this peculiar habit you have stated the animals have been developing just like the animals in Alaska do.

[Vikram]

P.S. I wonder if someone can post that video here.

[youtube][/youtube]

[prashantsingh]

Thanks S & W and Vikram.
I just love this video.
Some people call the tiger shy and ellusive. Some have even called it a coward when compared to the lion. Look at this. The fearsome charge of the tigress made the largest animals in the Indian jungle (the elephants) run for their lives in the opposite direction.

[Vikram]

Apart form the incredible agility of the tigress, I salute the bravery of the Mahout.Instinctually ,he tries to fend off the charge with the goad in his hand. .Many would have jumped off the elephant or something.Must have been a thoroughly diddering experience.

Best-
Vikram

[prashantsingh]

Apart from being a brave man the Mahout is also an employee of the Forest Dept. Neither he nor his elephant are new to tigers.
Ask a seasoned Forester and he will tell you. When a wild animal charges at you (at such close quarters), the only thing you do is to "hold your ground".
You simply can't out run it......and if you have to die in the bargain , it's at least better facing the charge than showing your back to it.