Ben's First 'Cat...then another...and another...and.... PA

[tt35]

Ben (AKA Verminator2) has called in bobcat for several people over the years but had never connected on one himself--at least before yesterday. We were actually hunting a ranch that had asked us to do some coyote control.

Here's the country.



It's great looking 'cat country but we've only called coyotes here in the past.

Ben's stand.



About seven minutes into the stand I hear Ben shoot. I haven't seen anything but I hope he got his coyote. Four minutes later I hear another shot. Sweet, maybe its a double. I finally can't stand it anymore and I call the stand to see what we've got. Ben comes down the hill beaming. "Double", he says. "Dogs or 'Cats?", I reply. "Cats!"

Well killing 'cats is only half the challenge. Here's the retrieval.





Here's the hero shot.



The next stand has three coyotes coming from different directions at eight minutes. Dad misses his coyote at WAY too close. I think Ben immediately misses him again. We both spend some ammo at the retreating coyotes. Turns out Ben couldn't see the first one and was shooting another at around 250 with his first shot.

Ben's on a roll.



Part 2 is coming.

Tim
No Off Season
no-off-season.com

"No crowds, no limits, no seasons...no bad days."

[tt35]

Part 2.

We dropped one of the cats off at Ben's cousin's place to skin for tanning and headed to another stand. Maybe 20 minutes in, I gave up on a coyote coming and started glassing the rim. A few minutes later I spot another 'cat! It was peaking over a rock from the middle of the rim at 230 yards. I talk Ben onto him (This seemed more like rockchuck hunting than predator hunting!) and Ben says, "I think there's two of them!". Sure enough, we watch as the first bobcat starts to mess with a second 'cat.

To make a long story short, they wouldn't commit to the call. We were going to try to do a simultaneous shot on them but it was just too far to be messing with something like that. I finally told Ben I was going to take the next good shot. I switched sounds (again) and the female came out far enough to present a shot and the 35 gr Berger put it down. Seconds later the male came out to see what happened. Bad mistake! V2 let go with his .17 Fireball. The 'cat ran a few feet to the right packing a front leg. V2 and I shot almost simultaneously and the 'cat did the Cowboy Fall off the rim. A Double Double...on 'cats!

(See previous note on 'cat retrieval!) My 'cat.



Ben and number three for him for the day.



Packin' out.



The days "work".



Two days of fur.



We made one more stand and had a big coyote that wouldn't commit. I think it was over its territorial boundary. I ended up taking a rather quick 300 yard shot on him but we didn't find him. Dad missed again I guess... Five stands, four coyotes called, one killed. Four 'cats called. Four in the truck.

I know this ain't much for you Texas boys but this was just plain nuts for Oregon! "Exceedingly, abundantly more than you can imagine...."



Hope you enjoyed the pics.

Here's one last one of my bumper sticker...just 'cause.



Tim
No Off Season
no-off-season.com

"No crowds, no limits, no seasons...no bad days."

[acloco]

Speechless.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trent]

Absolutely outstanding!!!

I love the bumper sticker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clint E]

WTG V2 that was worth the climb.
Sweet bumper sticker

[windy]

WOW. That all I can say or write.

[Rick in Oregon]

NICE! Way to go Ben! That's a grand day in anyone's book!

[venison_burger]

Incredible! Nice work!! What are you doing with the pelts?

[tt35]

Thanks for all the encouragement and kind words. I've alsways been pretty bored with bobcat calling. Takes too long and they don't come in like coyotes. They stalk in rather than running in. But, this day made it worthwhile. Ben caught up with my lifetime number of 'cats in one day! We just don't have a ton of cats in this country. Made it even more special.

I'm pretty proud of him. He's quite a shot!

What are you doing with the pelts?

Ben is getting one tanned for a trophy. We have a local fur buyer so we'll sell the others.

[RAMOS]

For me, that would be the varmint/predator hunt of a lifetime! The fact that you shared it together makes it priceless. I'm in NC Oregon and there is no doubt that the kitty numbers are on the rise here. Were did you find the bumper sticker?

[tt35]

Were did you find the bumper sticker?

I found it in one of the "Greenest" stores I've ever been in. It was in an eco-friendly clothing shop in Atlanta Int'l Airport (I think). That bumper sticker was the only thing in that store that this country boy could even vaguely connect with! I wish I would have bought their whole stock!

Tim
No Off Season
no-off-season.com

"No crowds, no limits, no seasons...no bad days."

[RAMOS]

Now that is FUNNY Tim!

[Melvin Eades]

Way to go guys! I've never seen a live bobcat, let alone a dead one but some day....

[ryutzy]

Nice!!!!!!!! very impressive. My first cat that I called in was in Kansas. Called it in to 19 steps!! I am forever hooked!

[venison_burger]

Did you weigh your cats? If you did I'm curious to see how big those western cats are.

Also one more question: while hunting cats and dogs at the same time, do you howl at all? or is it just a distress call?

Again, congrats!