Not too many of these running around in NY, actually this might be the first I've seen in NY. He came into our third calling set of the night at about 2:30am tonight and actually was darn near on top of the call by time I realized he was there. It's a 24lb male and I'm absolutely stoked, I've seen quite a few up close and personal in Vermont and PA over the years, but it's the first cat I've ever actually taken. Season ends on Monday too........just in time. :D Sorry for the terrible pic, I'll try to get some more tomorrow when I get a chance to clean him up before I skin him out. Thought I'd share this for now though.
Matt ....that is awesome! ... I have only seen one in NY all my years of being in the woods....that was in Alleghany State Park... he was chewing on a still alive woodchuck.....Congrats Bro!
Man thats sweet, We have em but cant kill em here. There is one been running around my neighbors front yard in broad day light. cool Matt
Thanks everyone. I'm going to head out shortly to clean the pelt up a bit and see how bad the damage is to determine what I'll do with it...........once I can see all the damage, I'll figure it out from there. Thanks! I was about 2 minutes into the set, and had started it using "Lightning Jack" out of a Foxpro Spitfire, one memory card is all Foxpro sounds, and I've got another with a bunch of Western Rivers and Varmint Al sounds on it. Also, I had another critter respond and bust us last night on our second set too, I started that one using "Female Coy Long Howl 1", and had just transitioned to Coy Pup Distress 2. It was probably a yote, because it circled us, went downwind, and then took off. I never was able to pick up the eyes with the light, it circled a good 100+ yards downwind and then disapearred. Thanks Jeff! Going to check the pelt over really well now that there is daylight. Unfortunately there is a pretty good hole in the chest of the cat, I'm not sure if it's repairable. Good news is that if I have it tanned for just a pelt, the hole is in a spot where the pelt would eventually be split anyhow, just not sure it can be sewed up and look right. I'd really like to get one mounted, and will apply for my PA permit next year so I can get another, we have a ton of them at my place down there. I'd be lucky to ever see another here in NY, they really aren't around too much here. Thanks Tony! It's a .223 setup in AR-15.
Very cool! I've never seen one in the woods here in NY. I have however seen several mountain lions:p kidding..kidding.
Next year in PA, I hear if you apply you are guaranteed a tag instead of a lottery. I will be getting one. I saw a small BC this year with my bow in hand. He was 12 yards for 3 minutes. Cool stuff Matt. Bad ass gun too.
Thanks again everyone, I appreciate it! I've talked with a local taxidermist that I know well, but haven't sent any work to in the past. He's a bit high end for deer mounts, but this guy has done mounts for Chuck Adams, and a somewhat famous local Tommy Hoffman. I wouldn't normally use this guy due to price, but I know cats aren't easy to mount, and I've seen too many of them butchered to try someone else. He thinks we can get a quality shoulder pedestal type mount out of it. I've caped the cat, and will bring it in later this week after I get the cape sealed by DEC (required for all cats in NY) and have him look at it in person. My hopes are to end up with a mount like one of these. I'm not a big fan of the aggressive open mouth style, I imagine I'll pick something that is more of a natural pose for him. There are about a dozen closed mouth type of shoulder forms between McKenzie and Van Dyke's, so I should have a good selection to pick from. I'll update more when I get back from the taxidermist.
Sweet looking gun and nice cat. I just got a picture from a camer I just pulled the other day. First evidence anyone has at our farm of seeing one.
