Clockwise from top left : Snowy roads show fresh cougar tracks ; an impressive paw ; the author ' s TenPoint Nitro 505 crossbow ; hunters admire the cat .
their darndest to climb the big aspen with a cat high in the branches . We had been on the chase for more than three hours , but it was worth every step . In the high branches was a giant old cat with ears extending from his head . The cat ’ s arching tail looked as long as its body , and its front legs rippled with toned muscle . We analyzed the cougar and knew it was a big one . It was in a comfortable spot and couldn ' t care less that we gathered below . In fact , the cat was so calm that it closed its eyes and slept .
We looked the situation over to try to find a good shot angle . The angle was steep , and we tried to find a shooting lane through the tangle of limbs . I prepared my TenPoint Nitro 505 crossbow and shooting sticks . A gray patch of fur in the armpit of the tom was an aiming spot that would ensure my broadhead found vitals . The tangle of limbs from other trees would require threading an arrow into the tight area .
I did not have my bow cocked during the chase , knowing the slog through the heavy timber would be challenging and could cause a problem if my string got caught on something . I cocked the crossbow and slid an arrow down the rail before sitting against the base of a tree . The
temperature had dropped quickly , and the wind made it feel even colder . I was sweated up from running and knew I had to get set up before I started to shiver . The crossbow was anchored on shooting sticks , and I checked with my hunting companions to ensure everyone was ready . With the dogs fastened to adjacent trees , it was time to take the shot . A deep breath helped me steady the bow , and I placed my crosshair on the tiny gray spot , as we had discussed . I slowly squeezed the trigger until I heard the whack of the SEVR broadhead cutting through the solid mass .
The cat instantly slumped over , momentarily getting hung up in the tree . The dogs went wild with excitement , sensing the cat was on his way down . The old cat lost strength and crashed to the ground through a tangle of branches , sending snow and twigs cascading in every direction . The enormous size of the cat became evident when it hit the ground . Stretched out , the cougar looked even more significant than I thought . We confirmed the arrow was not a hazard to the dogs before letting them worry the carcass , a reward for their hard work to create the opportunity . Chelsey had executed a flawless hunt , and everyone on the team felt ownership and pride in the success .
SPRING 2023 27