My second buck in 2016, was lucky enough to get him in the morning. It was 90+ already, decided to leave tent and some stuff behind. Hiked out the meat as quick as I could manage in the heat. Dumped into cooler, decided to wait to near sunset before going back in due to the intense heat. One of the Ravines the trail loops around the rim of... it's nearing last light... I notice something at bottom of the rocks. Raise my optic... and start counting them..
1...2..3,4,5...6...7....OMG!!! 7 bleeping MtnLions!! And me all bloody with deer blood! 3 adults 4 juveniles.
When one of the adults turned to look my direction... my brain did buncha thinkin. Smelling like blood I'm either injured prey, or a predator. I chose predator. I shout out "Yeah, I SEE YA!!" Then while walking the trail I threw out the deepest Dog growls I could muster. Had 6 shots in the .30-30 still so figured I was good. Get to opposite side of ravine, up in those rocks up top... it's getting to be the very tail end of last light... thought I saw a coyote maybe... but then the big ears of the Mama doe Mule Deer rose up right next to it!
My brains goes "OH!! THAT'S Why there's 7 MtnLions down there! See YA!! Wouldn't Wanna be ya!!" and proceeded to hoof it even quicker outta there.
I get maybe a half mile further up the trail. My headlamp I left back at the tent. Had my hand flashlight in my hand and it was starting to act like the batteries were getting low. Light flickering a lil. Immense panic washed over me. I decided to turn it off and save it for the darkest nooks and crannies I absolutely couldn't see into. It was Half-Moon night so could see sorta ok on most of the trail.
Man... was soo relieved to get to the tent and slap on that headlamp!
Was checking my 6 at regular interval on the way back down lemme tell you!
So yes... definitely agree we need to ditch that Mountain Lion legislation PRONTO!
