Chances of Lion Encounter Caifornia D6

OffTheWagon · Jan 19, 2017

Hello, First post, but have been reading the board for a while. I will say this is a great board! I was an avid big Whitetail Hunter who went on a 10+ year hiatus once I moved to California and into the land of Black Tails & Muleys.

I have recently gotten serious about hunting Mule Deer in D6 / Emigrant this coming year.

Have never hunted in an area with Big Predators. I am a guy who is going to want to get into a spot and glass as early as possible. Am also wanting to take my son (7 YO)with me on some of my scouting and hunts.

Curious the risk of a cat encounter and especially entering an area 45 minutes before light. Any real concern??

Thank you for your response,
OTW

6x7 · Jan 19, 2017

I have been in the D and X zones a thousand times and have not seen a cat yet and for that matter never seen a cat in any western state I have hunted.But everybody else seems to see them around me and everyone the others see they are on the run your odds are a hundred times better to see multipule bears then cats.

elkassassin · Jan 19, 2017

You Drive Vehicles,Right?

All Kinds of Chances out there I Guess you could Say!

It'd be the least of my Worries in KALI!

[font color="blue"]It Was them Damn Lake Trout that took them Elk
out!

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OffTheWagon · Jan 19, 2017

Thanks Guys. What time are you guys hitting the ridge? Any of you take your boys to tag along?

Tks,
OTW

DeerHunter53 · Jan 19, 2017

People always ask me if I am afraid of sitting in the dark on a mountain by myself when I am hunting. I tell them I am not afraid I have a gun!

I have hunted the Western States and mostly Utah since I was a kid and in all the years I have been in the mountains I have seen two cats. One in Nevada in the Rubies and the other one was driving back home across the desert at night and saw one cross the road. You will be alright I know the area you are talking about and have hunted there several times and haven't even seen a track.

DW · Jan 19, 2017

https://youtu.be/SMOjW1TPj6E

YBO · Jan 20, 2017

Prior to proposition 117 in 1990 I personally had only seen 2 cougars in the wild. Since then I have seen more than most would believe. They are on the prowl trying to find their next meal, but the problem is that the deer numbers are so LOW. DF&W needs to shut down the season for a couple of years in certain zones. It's to the point that if action isn't taken immediately the consequences could be devastating. Sorry, to hijack.

Yes, I'd be concerned and vigilant at all times...SSS.

Soj51hopeful · Jan 20, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-17 AT 09:51AM (MST)[p]I live in d6, hunted it my whole life. I do a lot of backpacking into the wilderness. There are a lot of cats around, seen about 8-10 over the years, driving around mostly. I've only had 1 encounter on foot in the middle of the day scouting an area in 2013. I was walking a deer trail in some bluffs when a cat jumped up above me about 15 yards away. He was waiting to ambush a deer and I surprised him he surprised me. He took off after a brief pause. About 20 minutes later I jumped a big 300+ pound bear. He took off on a dead run. I've had bears walking through my backpacking camp in the middle of the night and take off as soon as they smelled me. I wouldn't be afraid of any of them if I were you but with your kid be aware they are there.
More than likely you will never actually see a cat.

Ropinfool · Jan 20, 2017

i had a couger encounter in cali once.

Buccsboy55 · Jan 20, 2017

You won't see any let alone get mauled by one its hunting can't be afraid or u might as well stay home

deerelkalope · Jan 20, 2017

The further away from the city you get, the safer you'll be. Just remember to never make eye contact with the animals.....in the city?

Soj51hopeful · Jan 20, 2017

>i had a couger encounter in
>cali once.

Ya, did you pick her up in the H-B bar?

cacklercrazy · Jan 20, 2017

I solo bivy in back country every year and never have any trouble with cats. I worry more about bears getting into camping gear. The first 1 or 2 times will get to your nerves, but it get easier. I worry more about weather. Freak storms and lightning being the worst. Lost a hunting buddy to lightning once. Just be smart out there and good hunting.

OffTheWagon · Jan 20, 2017

Thanks Guys - BTW I don't take my kid into Oakland 45 minutes before light either

. (and I am armed when I do that too!!! HaHa

tenguns · Jan 22, 2017

I've hunted a bunch in D6, up high and never seen one in the unit. Like stated, bears are more likely to be an issue but the real danger there IMHO for a seven year old is falls and altitude especially if you'r up near the pass. I'm highly allergic to lightening also... I don't like it. Keep him close but I don't think kitties will be an issue in D6.

I've seen more in SoCal even though they roam all of the Sierras. I've only seen one in near Bridgeport... and one in the Whites across 395 in 30 years.

My lion count is two in Wyo, one serious encounter in Nevada -> full draw at an arrow length,,,looking at me like I owed him money, and the balance, (11) in So Cal. The Nevada tom and especially the deer it cost me I will not forget. Haunting.

manny53 · Jan 22, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jan-22-17 AT 03:36PM (MST)[p]I used to guide up in sisQ county for deer, 11 years or so n grew up there, during day light hours I've seen 3 cats at night bout the same.

so now Cali has wolves to contend with, now thats a whole new ball game right there...

Cats never concerned me but those wild dogs are a different story.

by the way if you just moved to Cali you won't be hunting mule deer anytime soon...

OffTheWagon · Jan 22, 2017

Thanks TenGuns. Good to know and great input. Yes, lighting is definitely an issue, especially around the granite. I grew up in Tornado alley, so a thunder boomer seems like and old friend.

Thanks OTW

pufftuffly · Jan 23, 2017

When was the last time you heard of anyone being killed by a Mt. Loin? Exactly.

Come hunt my neck of the woods where we have grizzlies. The hike to your glassing spot before light is a rush in itself.

DW · Jan 23, 2017

2yrs old but check the ages of the victims.

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion/Attacks

tenguns · Jan 23, 2017

With a youngster along and the protection lions have here, and the drought/ deer herd... its good questoon to ask. Last death was the bicyclist in orange county maybe. Lion attacks are like shark attacks... .0001% until its your turn. Don't be that guy!

trophyhunter · Jan 23, 2017

Pick up a big canister of bear spray, on line at Cabelas...nice strap to your chest system...we use it during A zone archery...tons of bears.....dont leave the young one alone....never ever...

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