Hunter Attacked by Cougar; Shoots Same

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I can imagine dropping a two shot weapon for a >2 shot weapon. What if I miss? So what if it's 10 feet, I don't want to fire both bores in a panic and get a glancing hit which doesn't kill the critter I want to fire with my pistol and have more rounds as backup in case it continues to attack, I miss, whatever. I can absolutely see where switching to a high capacity weapon for self defense is ALWAYS better than trying to make the shot with what is essential a single-shot weapon (we all seem to agree you'd want both bores to be confident of a stop, that equates to "one shot" in my book). The stakes are too high if you can swap weapons in seconds.

I think climate change is getting to the cats. Here in Washington we've had cats attack humans in residential areas in recent years, including a fatality. It's absolutely not impossible that the cat was after him.

I will admit the dog makes things more complicated, his bird dog pointed a wild cat? That's weird!
 
I think Gary Gorney could mount a pretty solid rebuttal to that.
Is Gary the guy that says he doesn’t remember dropping his dad’s 100-year-old double-barrel shotgun and reaching for his 9 millimeter handgun underneath his jacket and then his instincts as a military law enforcement officer took over, all the while singing his very own version of Turandot's tenor aria from Nessun Dorma with that big high B at the end?

That guy?

Okay.
 
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They are here in NE Georgia. The local newspaper, the Toccoa Record ran a picture of one and I've caught them on trail cameras.

According to the game warden, it is a 75# ±5# cat.


View attachment 882569
This is about 50'-60' from our cabin.

Even though the local Game Wardens have seen them; officially, GA DNR is in denial.


That is 100% bobcat.
 
They are here in NE Georgia. The local newspaper, the Toccoa Record ran a picture of one and I've caught them on trail cameras.

According to the game warden, it is a 75# ±5# cat.


View attachment 882569
This is about 50'-60' from our cabin.

Even though the local Game Wardens have seen them; officially, GA DNR is in denial.

Yep, bobcat. Short tail, tail markings, ear markings. Bobcat.

Looking through GON http://forum.gon.com/, they show many tawny bobcats in GA.
 
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Yep, bobcat. Short tail, tail markings, ear markings. Bobcat.

Looking through GON http://forum.gon.com/, they show many tawny bobcats in GA.

I'll stick with two GA game wardens verdict. They based it on the ears and tail. According to them, the bobcats ears are pointed and the panther's are rounded. If it is short, the bobcat's tail is spotted and curled; the panther's is heavier and has a dark end.

One of the game wardens sent me here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw144

And here: https://www.wildcatsmagazine.nl/images/poemawcm1.jpg

In addition, I have a bunch of bobcat pictures; they all have spots and the tail doesn't hang .

Here is one that has the game wardens stumped.
unusual.JPG
It is on a frost hydrant. Ears are pointed so it isn't a raccoon and too close to the camera.
 
I'll stick with two GA game wardens verdict. They based it on the ears and tail. According to them, the bobcats ears are pointed and the panther's are rounded. If it is short, the bobcat's tail is spotted and curled; the panther's is heavier and has a dark end.

One of the game wardens sent me here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw144

And here: https://www.wildcatsmagazine.nl/images/poemawcm1.jpg

In addition, I have a bunch of bobcat pictures; they all have spots and the tail doesn't hang .

It's not even ambiguous. It's clearly a bobcat, the tail is classic bobcat and it's clearly a small animal. 15lbs +/- 5lbs. I'm not saying it's impossible for there to be lions in Georgia, but that isn't one.

Bobcats have tails too. They are short, roughly 6", and they hang just like the one in the trail cam pic. They don't all have tufted ears like a lynx, and they can have dark tips. Whitewash the spots with a flash at night and this bobcat would look exactly like the one in the trail cam pic:
68478d6e-60ef-44a1-9a78-cea25af6a41a-Cat1.jpg
 
It's not even ambiguous. It's clearly a bobcat, the tail is classic bobcat and it's clearly a small animal. 15lbs +/- 5lbs. I'm not saying it's impossible for there to be lions in Georgia, but that isn't one.

Bobcats have tails too. They are short, roughly 6", and they hang just like the one in the trail cam pic. They don't all have tufted ears like a lynx, and they can have dark tips. Whitewash the spots with a flash at night and this bobcat would look exactly like the one in the trail cam pic:
View attachment 882797

Except the tail is curved. Matt said the hanging tail rather than a curved one..

Due to rain and mist; even the poorest NV pictures I have show spots.

This picture isn't bobcat and it has a short tail . https://www.wildcatsmagazine.nl/images/poemawcm1.jpg

I'm not giving you a hard time. I've learned Matt and Jonathan are pretty sharp with animals in their area.
The local newspaper ran a picture of a lion.

cougar.JPG

sighting.JPG


Unfortunately, the Record didn't include the picture.
 
I'll stick with two GA game wardens verdict. They based it on the ears and tail. According to them, the bobcats ears are pointed and the panther's are rounded. If it is short, the bobcat's tail is spotted and curled; the panther's is heavier and has a dark end.

One of the game wardens sent me here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw144

And here: https://www.wildcatsmagazine.nl/images/poemawcm1.jpg

In addition, I have a bunch of bobcat pictures; they all have spots and the tail doesn't hang .

Here is one that has the game wardens stumped.
View attachment 882791
It is on a frost hydrant. Ears are pointed so it isn't a raccoon and too close to the camera.

I'm sorry but the first pic posted IS a Bobcat and second pic (raccoon) only confirms your Warden's need to brush up on their wildlife. We've all seen a bazillion game cam pictures where there is room for speculation or debate..but IMO, neither of these fit that bill.

You won't see the spots on the Bobcat (which could be faint anyway) in night time pics..when they are close to the camera and particularly at that angle. The infrared light source washes out detail AND dark colors often appear as being light or white. But aside from any markings, the proportions are all wrong for it to be a big cat. The 'raccoon' shouldn't even be a discussion, so I don't know why that one has them stumped.
 
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Except the tail is curved. Matt said the hanging tail rather than a curved one..

Due to rain and mist; even the poorest NV pictures I have show spots.

This picture isn't bobcat and it has a short tail . https://www.wildcatsmagazine.nl/images/poemawcm1.jpg

I'm not giving you a hard time. I've learned Matt and Jonathan are pretty sharp with animals in their area.
The local newspaper ran a picture of a lion.

View attachment 882808

View attachment 882814


Unfortunately, the Record didn't include the picture.

For me... all credibility flew out the window (at hyper speed) when I read the part of the couple having had a 'black panther' in their driveway. It's not that Cougar don't exist in many States...and even show up inside cities on occasion, but it is equally true that many (most) supposed sightings are from folks not really familiar with the animal or under poor conditions where mis-identification is the more likely answer.

And then you'll have those who so desperately want to see a big cat...that everything soon becomes one. This holds especially true for 'Black Panther' sightings. If you don't believe me, go into any Barber Shop or Coffee Shop and bring up the conversation. Then make note of how many people have seen one...or know someone (always a trusted person) who has. I think you'll be amazed that no matter where you are in the lower 48, that Black Panther has been there!

Cougars are another matter they DO exist in many States and documented cases are not particularly rare....but mistaken identity is by far more common.
 
I can imagine dropping a two shot weapon for a >2 shot weapon. What if I miss? So what if it's 10 feet, I don't want to fire both bores in a panic and get a glancing hit which doesn't kill the critter I want to fire with my pistol and have more rounds as backup in case it continues to attack, I miss, whatever. I can absolutely see where switching to a high capacity weapon for self defense is ALWAYS better than trying to make the shot with what is essential a single-shot weapon (we all seem to agree you'd want both bores to be confident of a stop, that equates to "one shot" in my book). The stakes are too high if you can swap weapons in seconds.
First, as a pheasant/turkey/grouse/woodcock hunter that regularly uses SxS shotguns, I can't imagine the mindset of thinking one must shoot both barrels and that the gun is basically a single shot weapon. Even at turkeys I've never pulled both barrels at the same time. What the second barrel gives you is a instantaneous second shot, in some instances faster than a semi-auto. As you walk up on a point, your primary weapon is already either at ready or semi-mounted to your shoulder and your are focused on the front of the dog. when the flush comes....even tho you know it's coming it is still a surprise. The idea that you will even have those "seconds" to swap a weapon is silly. The idea that the shot column at 10 yards is going to be less effective than a 9mm round or that even a handgun at 10 yards is going to be more accurate than a long gun at tens yards on a moving target under stress? No, IMHO, it wasn't "training" that kicked in, but a desire to shoot a big cat....and there was time to make a switch, the time to take a good shot at a cat either stationary and/or out of range of the shotgun, after putting down the long gun and getting out the handgun..
 
First, as a pheasant/turkey/grouse/woodcock hunter that regularly uses SxS shotguns, I can't imagine the mindset of thinking one must shoot both barrels and that the gun is basically a single shot weapon. Even at turkeys I've never pulled both barrels at the same time. What the second barrel gives you is a instantaneous second shot, in some instances faster than a semi-auto. As you walk up on a point, your primary weapon is already either at ready or semi-mounted to your shoulder and your are focused on the front of the dog. when the flush comes....even tho you know it's coming it is still a surprise. The idea that you will even have those "seconds" to swap a weapon is silly. The idea that the shot column at 10 yards is going to be less effective than a 9mm round or that even a handgun at 10 yards is going to be more accurate than a long gun at tens yards on a moving target under stress? No, IMHO, it wasn't "training" that kicked in, but a desire to shoot a big cat....and there was time to make a switch, the time to take a good shot at a cat either stationary and/or out of range of the shotgun, after putting down the long gun and getting out the handgun..

^^^^
Exactly...!
But not even 10 yards, the article relates he shot at ten FEET! Anyone that thinks a shot column of ANY size birdshot isn't still an almost cohesive mass at 10 feet doesn't know squat about shotguns. A pheasant hunter (especially late season) is likely shooting # 5 bird shot. Most pheasant loads will be 1-1/4 ozs of birdshot with a muzzle velocity of between 1200 fps (on the low end) up to 1500 fps. That's 547 grains of payload.

For the 9mm..the most common defense load is a 124 gr. bullet. Lets say he was shooting +P ammo....so about 1200 fps out of a 4" barrel or approximately the same muzzle velocity as the shot shell but more than 4 times less weight. Muzzle energy of the shotshell dwarfs that of the 9mm.

Now I am fully aware that energy figures don't equate to performance, with respect to the many variables (penetration, energy transfer, etc) but suffice to say...the shotgun load (at that distance) will knock the poopy out of any Cougar walking this earth today. Not to mention they are not hard to kill to begin with. Just sooooo.......much about this story (as first told) that is fishy.
 
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They are here in NE Georgia. The local newspaper, the Toccoa Record ran a picture of one and I've caught them on trail cameras.

According to the game warden, it is a 75# ±5# cat.


View attachment 882569
This is about 50'-60' from our cabin.

Even though the local Game Wardens have seen them; officially, GA DNR is in denial.

It is a bit shocking to me that any wildlife professional would think that is a Mt Lion. That is very obviously a bobcat.
 
Even cattle. Back 25 or more years ago my father in law delivered a breach calf from a cow that died a few days later with rabies. The ag office had him take the rabies shots. He was a tough old guy and he said the shots were pretty rough
rabies vaccine series is not cheap either. $10,000 or more these days.
 
Illinois DNR used to claim there were no mountain lions in Illinois until Chicago cops killed one in an alley one night a few years back.

Bobcats have become numerous enough that the state was able to institute a bobcat hunting season a few years ago.
 
rabies vaccine series is not cheap either. $10,000 or more these days.

Homeowners/farm actually paid all but the deductible. This was back around 2000 I'd guess. Maybe before.


As far as the bobcat, the last one I shot I had to convince nearly everyone who seen it that it was a bobcat, even many "hunters". Everyone said mountain lion.... And it was very obvious and in full daylight. I'd post a picture but the 17 to the head is pretty graphic
 
All I can say is that the shorthair that I have has pointed coyotes that were bedded in the grass. I was riding my saddle mule about 20 yards back, a real live 4 legged one while following my dog, dog pointed, but he was kinda fidgety,like he is when he points a raccoon on the ground.

I was getting off my mule to load my side by side up, and the coyote popped out. I had a 20 with 1 oz of 5's at 20 plus yards and if I had had a handgun, I would have dropped the double to grab the pistol, but as it was I just stood there with my mouth open as I had never seen a coyote pointed before and didn't think the 20 would do the job at that range.

As to pointing raccoons in tall grass, I have had it happen several times. The first time it happened I went up and sent the dog into this big thatch of grass and he tangled with a large and very angry boar coon. I kicked and cussed to seperate them , the coon rolled back and came for me.

Reflex and my benelli saved me, but I had to clean the coon off my glasses. Close enough for me
 
"I dropped my dad's 100-year-old double-barrel [shotgun], I don't even remember doing that, and went for the sidearm that I carry with me underneath my jacket," Gorney told the Minot Daily News. "My instincts as a military law enforcement officer took over. There was no thought process. It was self-defense."


Yeah...if he dropped a shotgun loaded with 2 or so ounces of lead in favor of a handgun, there was definitely no thought process.

35W
 
Bobcat = Ford Torino Talladega or Nissan 370Z. Mountain Lion = Jaguar E-type.
 
I can imagine dropping a two shot weapon for a >2 shot weapon. What if I miss? So what if it's 10 feet, I don't want to fire both bores in a panic and get a glancing hit which doesn't kill the critter I want to fire with my pistol and have more rounds as backup in case it continues to attack, I miss, whatever. I can absolutely see where switching to a high capacity weapon for self defense is ALWAYS better than trying to make the shot with what is essential a single-shot weapon (we all seem to agree you'd want both bores to be confident of a stop, that equates to "one shot" in my book). The stakes are too high if you can swap weapons in seconds.

I think climate change is getting to the cats. Here in Washington we've had cats attack humans in residential areas in recent years, including a fatality. It's absolutely not impossible that the cat was after him.

I will admit the dog makes things more complicated, his bird dog pointed a wild cat? That's weird!

You are aware that the double rifle is still the preferred thick skin dangerous game stopping weapon of choice with many professional hunters right? Being a double rifle shooter and a double barrel shotgun shooter I find your assessment above to be flawed.
 
rabies vaccine series is not cheap either. $10,000 or more these days.

The first round of shots cost the woman who choked the rabid bobcat to death about $10K.

""DeDe was attacked by a Bobcat that tested positive for rabies and now has to have treatments to keep herself safe. The shots are around $10,000 each set and she needs at least 4 more.," the page's description reads. "As we all know money doesn't grow on trees, so Im asking on behalf of her and her family that you donate anything that you can! She is a lady who would give you the shirt off her back and will drop whatever she is doing to come help! I know because she has for me! She loves hard and is one heck of a woman!""
https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/state/georgia/article213253584.html






 
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