huntingfool Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Went out this afternoon for some predator calling. I've been taking my girls (6yrs and 4yrs) with me and they dig it. They have been my good luck charms and boy they didn't disappoint today. We walked an old logging road I'd been eyeing for years for 500-600 yards until we came to a good spot. I was targeting fox and bobcat and in AZ that's usually lion country as well. I had one girl on each side of me and a camo blanket over us. They sit reasonably still with their beanies and earmuffs on At about the 12 minute mark, first stand, I was looking off to my left at the canyon side and my oldest daughter whispered "coyote, coyote." I look to where she pointed and saw an animal coming, I immediately got my youngest on the right to see it and she nodded. It was behind some trees trotting in, I got the scattergun up and waited. It appeared about 30-40 yards facing us and I thought "nice big tom bobcat" not remembering the animal I saw before had a tail. I shot and it stumbled then leaped in the air. I saw the tail then and thought "holy crap!" It ran broadside thru some trees and I shot twice more. As it cleared the trees, 40-50 yards estimated, I had a good bead on it as it quartered away. The next two shots were visual hits, it arched and stumbled both times. As we watched, me out of shells, it hopped out of sight. I knew it was hit bad, it couldn't run and it stumbled and rolled twice before hobbling out of sight. Three visual hits. Since I was out of shells (moron) I got the girls back to the truck. I had one shot left in the truck but didn't want to leave the girls behind so I called some help. I went home, met my sister and her boyfriend, got more shells and he and I headed back out. A friend of mine had dogs but lives an hour away. He headed our way but due to unforeseen road closures he couldn't make it before dark. So we headed to the spot and found it dead about where I'd last seen it. I figured that was the case but didn't want to go in with my girls after a hurt lion. Nice tom!: Wish it would have fell in site, would have loved for the girls to see it down. Picks back at the house came out pretty crappy which is extremely unfortunate. Hopefully somebody got a good one, there were a few people taking pictures. Weighed him at 118lbs. Couldn't have asked for an easier walk out but it was still a bear. I've been calling 6 years, mostly in cat country, very very excited to get this cat. I've been wanting one forever but was still super surprised when he came in. Anyway I'm pretty jacked, check him in to G&F tomorrow and then to the taxidermist! 22 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
backcountry_brad Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Nice cat! Way to get it done without dogs and cool story too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Dude you gunned down a giant tom cat with a pump scatter gun with your daughters at your side. You are way up there in my manliness book. Congrats! Just wait till those girls start dating and tell that story to the interested parties. You shouldn't have any problems! 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Ditto what Flatlander said!!! Nice job, and huge trophy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kidso Report post Posted February 9, 2015 That thing is a BEAST!!!! Super cool hunt! Nice little bobcat, DADDY!!!! Spectacular!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegunsmith2506 Report post Posted February 9, 2015 That is awesome!! Congrats. I can only hope to be that lucky someday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwrguy Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Nice big cat, congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturegirl Report post Posted February 9, 2015 He is HUGE! I love that you had your girls with you I'll bet you carry more shells next time...lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Monster tom. I can't believe you thought it was a bobcat. Way cool having your kids with you. Bet you never go out with only 5 shells again...congrqts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
218buck Report post Posted February 9, 2015 That's memories that will last a life time for both you and your daughters congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AKretschmer Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Freaking Awesome! I cant wait until my Daughter is old enough to get out there with me. Nice job on a great cat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues..crazy Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Awesome cat and story! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sniper Report post Posted February 9, 2015 This is so awesome. I have taken my daughters calling a few times and nothing. What a cool story!!!!! Great lion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZHog Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Awesome story and memories for you and your girls! Congrats on a nice cat! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huntingfool Report post Posted February 9, 2015 Monster tom. I can't believe you thought it was a bobcat. Way cool having your kids with you. Bet you never go out with only 5 shells again...congrqts. Yeah man, I just was not expecting a lion and when I have my kids I try to make sure they see it before I shoot it to keep them interested. When it cleared the tree was my first good look at it and I noticed it was big but it was directly facing me so I just verified cat and then lined him up. Although I clearly saw a tail when I glimpsed it thru the trees, it didn't register until he flipped. I generally carry 9 shells to a stand, 5 on the side saddle and 4 in the tube. I keep the tube empty at home so I keep those 4 extra on my dresser. I went out with a guy two days ago and gave him some shells, and when I grabbed the shells off my dresser it added up to 5. Never emptied my scattergun on a predator stand before but I'll make sure I've got 9 shells going forward! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
