Hunter or Hunted



	Idaho's Archery Information Source

Stories : Hunter or Hunted >>


Several years ago I had the privilege to witness a sight few people ever have the opportunity to see. I only wish it would have happened under slightly different circumstances. I had driven up to my hunting spot early in the day to setup camp. I was to meet my wife later that night down off the main road.
After camp was setup I decided I had plenty of time to enjoy the evening hunt before I had to drive down the mountain again. From the top of the ridge behind our camp site a small drainage wound its way towards the valley below. The one side of this drainage is sparsely covered with trees but for the most part is barren. I worked my way down the side until I reached the bottom. I was low in the drainage and thought I would work my up the center following the creek. This would allow me to make a large circle back to camp. Low in the drainage the creek was about 5 feet wide running quickly over smooth stones and fallen debris. I had worked my way across the creek and moved far enough away into the timber so the sound of the creek wouldn't hinder my ability to hear the elusive elk that I sought. I found a nice spot to take a break and sat down on a fallen tree. I had removed my pack and was quietly enjoying a little snack and watching a squirrel reduce a pine cone to small shards. Birds sang from the trees filling the forest with a symphony of nature. I took out my reed and bugled. When the sound faded I listened intently hoping a bull would answer my challenge - nothing. I cow called several times and fell silent, straining to hear, hoping to catch a distance reply to my calls. -- Again Nothing -- Looking back on the situation I should have realized something was different. There really was no sound not even the birds, but at the time nothing registered as being wrong. I had pulled my snack from my pack and was happily appeasing the rumble in my stomach. I bugled a few more times and finally decided it was time to move on. I picked up my gear and started to move up the draw towards a couple wallows that were just ahead. I had scarcely gone ten yards when I heard a sound that sounded very much like a woman screaming in a horror movie. I stopped dead in my tracks! "What in the World was that?" I wondered. Its funny now, but when you are alone in the dark timber the mind can be a funny thing. For a split second I wondered what might the legendary creature Sasquatch sound like. This was truly a sound I had never before heard. As I scanned the terrain around me looking for the source of this unearthly noise I glanced to my left. Standing upon a fallen tree just eighteen yards from where I stood was the source of the scream. As I made eye contact with the cougar its mouth opened revealing its long white fangs. It let out another scream of displeasure at my presence. The sound of that scream hit me full between the eyes and traveled down my body to my toes. I realized that the cougar was probably stocking what it believed to be an elk, but instead had found an imposter. My heart skipped a few beats as I pulled an arrow from my bow and placed it on the string. The large cat sprang from the tree towards me, disappearing among several other fallen trees. I stood in a small open area about ten feet in diameter. I had no weapon to defend myself except the bow I held in my hands. For a brief moment I curses myself for not caring my hunting knife at my side. It was buried at the bottom of my pack. I knew I would not have a chance to use my bow unless the cat stopped and showed mercy. I waited for what seemed an eternity watching and waiting for the cat to appear again. Seconds turned into years as my heart beat fiercely in my chest. Slowly I began to move back towards the creek. I had decided that there were probably not any Elk in the area now and it would be a good idea for me not to be in the area either. I have gone back to that drainage many times since this chance encounter and to this day I do not know how that cougar disappeared without me seeing it again. There was only a couple fallen trees and the rest of the cover was not that dense. Not only did I not see the cat depart but I never heard a sound as it left. At least I think it left! Perhaps it just watched me as I made a hasty departure. I can tell you this I have never made it out of that drainage as quickly as I did that night! I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to see such a wildly beautiful creature as this cougar was. The picture I have placed at the top of this page is very much how the cougar that stalked me looked, only picture him screaming at you. I often wish I would have been able to watch the cougar without it knowing I was there, so I could have watched it longer and not had the apprehension of being invited to dinner as the main course. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, DON'T run. If you run you look and act more like the cougars natural pray. Instead face the cat and make yourself look as large as you can. Even raise your arms up over your head to help make yourself look larger.