Lion Kill - Northwest Colo

[LuckyHntr]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-18-15 AT 10:31PM (MST)[p]Right off side of road, ravens and one magpie all that were left. Looks pretty fresh and all ate up! Younger buck, judging by hoof size, not a bad rack!

 

[mntman]

curious how you determined it was a lion kill? looks like that rack has some decent mass to him.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

 

[Cohntr62]

I think that looks like a really nice buck. Lions take a lot of deer, way too many to suit me. When we were out in 2013, there was snow in the 3rd season and we were surprised how many lion and bear tracks we saw and I'm sure they impacted the hunting. However, we were also surprised by the scarcity of coyotes compared to previous trips.

 

[LuckyHntr]

I do not know for certain. You yourself made the observation that the rack had decent mass. It was a decent rack, one that a healthy animal would grow. So, I assume that buck didn't die of some health issue...

That leaves predators. Coyotes, this time of year, no. Besides, there were tons of rabbits to be had. Wolves, not yet in this area, but will be. Bear, lol. Lions, yes. It may not be a known fact, but lions prefer to kill bigger bucks. In fact, an outfitter made that same comment the next day to me when we discussed with him.

I guess that leaves man. This buck was maybe 25 inches wide. He was a younger buck, judging by hoof size. Personally I didn't consider him to be a trophy. Would expect that head would be gone and maybe back straps. It was right next to a road. But, you never know. : ( He is still there, if he had been white bone, I would have taken him home.

Oh, and not close enough to any kind of road, that he could be hit by a vehicle.

The spinal cord/vertebrae right behind the neck may have shown some kind of marks, but how shall I say, he was a bit ripe. ha