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Author
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Topic: No Can Shoot
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R.Shaw
Peanut Butter Man, da da da da DAH!
Member # 73
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posted February 22, 2018 09:38 PM
TJ gave me a call last Sunday and wanted to kill a bobcat before season ended the last day of this month. I said I would take a look at the forecast on WeatherUnderground and get back with him. Looked like we would get 2-3 inches of snow on Monday (which we did), but Thursday looked to be 11 degrees, overcast skies, and high humidity. Thursday it is.
We had scouted two areas about two weeks ago. The first spot was 3 miles due west of my house and the other was 3 miles south of there. The first one had a least 2 cats and the other had one for sure. We knew our exact stands for the first area, but the second we just knew which drainages we would cover. Both would require a 3 mile loop of walking.
On our way to the first spot, a coyote crossed the road ahead of us. Utilizing the Minnesota Rest, TJ rolled him up going straight away at 286 yards. No mange, but rubbed. No value, but our day is off to a good start.
We park at the first area and begin our tromp. Only a little over a quarter to the first stand and we cut some fresh turkey tracks walking in. More good sign for cats. Put our stools in front of a plum thicket and I walk the speaker out 36 yards. I lasered it later and the distance is kinda important to what transpired. TJ had black taped a couple of aluminum arrows together and attached a goose wing with some monofiliment. I stuck it in the bush along side the speaker.
We are all set and push the button to play my favorite cat sound. I remember looking down at the remote and it was right at 7 minutes. At which time I think to myself....any time now.
Not more than 30 seconds later I can see a cat's head looking out of the canyon on my side. Just the head. I turn to TJ and whisper your cat is on my side. His rifle is pointed 45 degrees the other direction and he says he can't move and tells me to shoot it.....Music to my ears.
I had somehow picked the right part of the draw to point my rifle because I was already squared up. Just had to lift my rifle and look through the scope. When I did, I saw it was a f***ing lion. And he is coming. He was 150-160 yards away and coming in crouched at a slow walk. Stalking. The meadow was wide open with only a few yuccas scattered here and there so we had a real good view. I could hear my heart beating out of my mouth.
He came straight to the caller and raised to an upright position when he reached the speaker. Made a half circle around it and stuck his nose in the speaker. Backed away and just hung around for a little bit.Then he decided to stick his head in the damn speaker again. He just kinda walked slow back and forth for a good 2-3 minutes at which time he just gently loped back into the canyon from where he had came. We did see him two more times as he meandered through the cedars about 300 yards from our position.
We make the rest of our loop which was completely uneventful (kinda hard to top that anyways). No tracks no nothing.
Back at the truck, we make a drive which ends us about 3-4 miles due south of where we had just called. As I said, this was another 3 mile loop and we only knew approximately where we would be calling. Saw some old cats tracks walking to the first stand. It was blank, just like the second one was. We drifted south a half mile to another set of canyons and this would be our last stand because we had covered most of what we wanted to.
Still playing my best cat sound, I look down and it is 11 minutes. I decide to change to a woodpecker. No sooner do that and I spot an animal (for sure not a coyote) lope over the ridge east of me headed straight towards us. I again tell TJ here comes your cat. I catch glimpses of it through the cedars and it sits down. Raise the binocs and wouldn't you know it....another f***ing lion. And he is just sitting on the hillside 285 yards away. In the wide open. A chip shot.
Just keep doing what I am doing and up he pops trotting right to us. He has a very deep canyon to cross and that leads him into a patch of cedars. The edge of which is no more than 35 yards from where I am sitting.
The wind had been a little swirly all morning, but for the most part it was in the east south east. Now it decides to get in the west which puts the lion downwind. I really didn't know how well lions could smell, but I was about to find out. We sat there for about 10 more minutes after he left his sitting position which would give him plenty of time to get to us.
Called the stand and made a circle to read sign and learn. The lion had came straight down off the side of the ridge and into a canyon that only a man could cross using ropes. Straight up our side and into the patch of cedars. On a collision course. Tracks revealed he put on the brakes 75 yards from the caller. He definately could not not see us, but he definately smelled us. Just turned and walked back the way he came. No hurry.
From never seeing a lion in the wild, to calling two the same day. Something I will never ever forget. And no....I did not purchase a lottery ticket on the way home.
Posts: 545 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted February 22, 2018 09:54 PM
Wow! I'm guessing no lion season? Nebraska? It's been awhile and I'm out of the loop.
Maybe a pair out hunting or singles that close together? I know too many questions not enough answers but dang I've never heard of such.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted February 23, 2018 03:54 AM
WOW ! What a day !
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted February 23, 2018 04:40 AM
Unfrigginbelievable!!!
Randy pic of lion #2 track...
[ February 23, 2018, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted February 23, 2018 07:13 AM
![[Cool]](cool.gif) X 10 !!!
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 7579 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
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posted February 23, 2018 07:37 AM
That's one hell of an exciting day for sure.
Is there any season on lions in NE?
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
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posted February 23, 2018 07:51 AM
Awsome!
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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 23, 2018 12:35 PM
In most cases, maybe excepting Florida and their "panthers" it's not justified to protect lions, if you restrict dog hunters. They are self sufficient and it seems apparent that they are expanding territory.
We are so jerked around by bunny huggers, especially here in The People's Republik. I can remember when there was a bounty in AZ. The best odds of calling a lion anywhere in the US is in Southern California, they are thick as fleas.
That track does not seem to be of a particularly large cat? I've seen wolf track a lot bigger.
Good story, AR. I seem to recall that you moved from Missouri to Nebraska a while back?
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted February 23, 2018 02:32 PM
Went in and resized that photo so it don't goober up everyone's screen size.
Leonard, the track does look comparatively smaller than the hand in the photo. But, for illustrative purposes, Randy did tell me there was 3-4" of fresh snow, so thinking that the depth of view is kinda skewed, making the track look small?
Not sure, but the actual 'hole' of the track in the snow looks pretty darn big. The imprints of the pads look small, cuz they're a couple inches deeper down in the snow...
Just a thought?
[ February 23, 2018, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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R.Shaw
Peanut Butter Man, da da da da DAH!
Member # 73
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posted February 23, 2018 05:51 PM
They had a season here back in 2014. A whole 2 tags worth and a whole 2 days of hunting I might add. One was the Governor's tag which was auctioned off for somewhere around 6 figures. The other was a drawing which, I believe a high school senior won. Governor went first on Saturday and it was filled the same day. The kid got to hunt Sunday and he filled his the same day. Next year someone with power, I think it was the governor himself, said no more lion hunting. So much for that.
Drawing upon my vast knowledge of calling lions, I believe the first one was an adult and the second a juvenile. It looked skinnier, but just as tall. The pic that Fred posted is that of the second one.
Posts: 545 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted February 24, 2018 03:15 AM
Either way Randy A day you wont soon forget!
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted February 24, 2018 07:31 AM
Too dang cool Randy! Have been trying to call one on purpose lately, nothing seen yet. Have called a handful on accident over the years, never had a tag.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted February 24, 2018 07:39 AM
Dave in Arizona we say having a tag is the best way to assure you wont see lion !
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006
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TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
Member # 690
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posted February 24, 2018 08:10 AM
that's pretty dang cool. A tag in the pocket would've made it "cooler"
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Is it hunting season yet? I hate summer!
Posts: 996 | From: Elizabeth, CO | Registered: Aug 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 24, 2018 08:41 AM
I think we know "somebody" that would have caused me to take a rather odd action....such as putting a bullet hole through one ear, just to say we did it.
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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earthwalker
Cultural Editor & middleweight arm wrestling champion/Intermountain Region
Member # 4177
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posted February 24, 2018 03:51 PM
Lions around means no bobcats. They move on or get eaten.
To bad you couldn't shoot them.
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another long hot smoky summer coming
Posts: 1105 | From: Intermountain region | Registered: Jul 2012
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Wiley E
Knows what it's all about
Member # 108
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posted March 03, 2018 08:47 AM
Neat story Randy!
An experience of a lifetime for most of us.
~SH~
Posts: 853 | From: Kadoka, S.D | Registered: Feb 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 03, 2018 06:33 PM
I should make some kind of observation about lions and tags and protection and big game status.
Look I can remember when lions enjoyed zero protection in all but a couple states east of the Mississippi.
Here's that slippery slope thing in play. MY organization use to partner with the Sierra Club up until the early 70's. Then that organization was totally infiltrated by bunny huggers and they stabbed us in the back and convinced the powers that be to institute a one year moratorium. The purpose was to just stabilize and survey the population. The problem is when you let the fox guard the chicken house, or in this case who exactly is counting the particularly elusive lion. They came up with a figure (I forget) 4000 plus. A bogus number but it caused panic in the ranks that don't need much stampeding. I have had people suggest, to me with a straight face, that the coyote is endangered. And why is that? Well, ah.... I've never seen one.
Same theory as about lions. When was the last time you saw one? Therefore, it's obvious they are critically endangered. Since then I think we have had five people eaten by lions that have lost the fear of man and the population has skyrocketed.
As I have pointed out before, everything starts in California. It's common knowledge that every new California style is only a 10 hour plane ride from Tokyo. Same with an eastward direction, every state that had no game season and even a bounty on cats suddenly decided the population was in trouble. Built on a lie. It's the GLOBAL WARMING of conservation. Completely mysterious but these scientists wouldn't lie. Of course not!
So there you go. A complete knee jerk policy has gone National.
Randy should have been able to shoot those lions. Historically, they never needed a season or protection, but suddenly they are scarce, while expanding their range very aggressively. Who's blowing smoke up who's ass?
Good hunting. El Bee
[ March 03, 2018, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted March 08, 2018 06:30 AM
I have had wildlife biologist's tell me if you call one shoot it then run to your nearest Walmart an get a tag ! This is Arizona after all ! LOL
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 08, 2018 08:56 AM
Paul, I have heard that information so many times, second hand, but it rings true. If it says anything, it is that lions don't need protection, but the state appreciates the revenue.
I could ask the question; where have you seen the most lions? AZ might win, but it would be close. Like they say; follow the money? It would pay, in this case, to follow the deer.
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted March 08, 2018 09:23 AM
Back when leg holds were legal on public land the coyotes were in check since then the coyotes now steal the deer that used to last a lion a week, now the lion kills two deer per week great management practices eh?
[ March 08, 2018, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: Paul Melching ]
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted March 08, 2018 10:55 AM
..........and wolves;
Don't forget the wolves that were shoved down our throats.
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 7579 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885
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posted March 08, 2018 11:05 AM
I thought they were shoved up
our .......!
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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted March 12, 2018 09:35 AM
earthwalker, I'm glad to see you post that about lions and bobs. Kansas is now okay with agreeing that we have lions again; just not willing to say we have a "breeding population". Not much distinction between breeding versus non-breeding when you're the none losing livestock. Never met a rancher yet that concerned himself about whether his lions were getting lucky.
Anywho, I had eight cages up a drainage this past season with snow on the ground the entire time. This is a half-mile long brushpile and our go-to spot for cats and coyotes. Not a single catch. Not even any tracks. That area was bobcat-poor and I talked with the guy that bow hunts it when he told me about a lion they'd seen no less than five times there and thereabouts. I never saw any big cat's tracks either, and the deer were just returning when I started running cages. I think I missed him.
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5438 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted March 12, 2018 12:27 PM
Lance, I have been biting my tongue in regard to that comment you are referring to. Being polite, I'm reluctant to say what I think, but it doesn't square with my personal observations. If you get my drift?
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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