PEAK PUTTERS

I was hunting out at the Yakima Firing Range today (Saturday) for birds; quail, Chukar, whatnot. The day started off great. We saw some mule deer, two sage grouse (can’t shoot those and keep your license and your gun) and got to do some light wheeling in the new snow. We got to our intended hunting area and my buddy walked up a cliff wall (he’s a mountain goat… I’m not) and I worked the heavy cover on the creek bottom. My dog, Bar, seemed to be getting birdie, but never went on point. I figured we were pushing quail or maybe even a pheasant ahead of us and was getting pretty excited about the prospect of getting some shooting in and maybe a little weight in my game bag. My Brittany went into heavy cover at the base of a birch tree. Her bell stopped ringing, so I suspected that she was on point, although I could not see her even though she could not have been more than six feet from me.
Well, something starts climbing up that tree right in front of me. I’m thinking raccoon, porcupine, or maybe even a badger (do badgers climb trees?) I put a bead on it, ‘cause if it is a badger I’d like to make it a dead badger. About the time I’m putting together that it is a cat I see something else climbing up the tree. I’m thinking lynx, maybe bobcats, and then I see the tails… as long as the bodies.
“Oh how cute, my dog has treed a couple of mountain lion cubs. I wonder where mom is. What’s that? A roar and neither cub has opened its mouth. OH DEAR LORD!!! “
Never run from a big predator. I took three quick steps away while calling my dog, before I realized I was walking way to fast. Thank God the dog came. Two steps slowly away… turn and aim my shotgun behind me. Two more steps away… turn and aim my shotgun behind me, repeat.
Of course I have a fine 9mm pistol and a handful of 12 ga. slugs… BACK IN THE JEEP!!!
That close to a big cat, holding a shotgun with two barrels of birdshot I guarantee you one of your few thoughts is, “We are going to need a bigger gun.â€

Wow I've never thought about running into cougars out there. Were you in the bottom of that Selah creek?

Nope, Hanson Creek, although the range officer told us that there is a family of cougars in the Selah Creek / Cold Creek area. They are trying to track them so they don't overrun the place. Them and 'yotes. You can hunt coyotes out there year round.

WOW Can we say adreneline hit I saw a black bear sow with cubs once, at a distance, but never a cat...

closest i have been to somethin like that was a young bear not cub but still not full grown at about 15 feet backpackin which wasnt too much fun

ive had a couple close encounters with cats and a bear cub with his momma. which is why i carry a .357 when im out and about.