Author Topic: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.  (Read 1252 times)

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Offline mechanic

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Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« on: January 07, 2013, 10:45:34 AM »
The following reports a man attacked by a bobcat....uncommon event I'd say...
 
 
 
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/07/16395401-it-gave-me-a-bear-hug-bobcat-attacks-massachusetts-family?lite=
 
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2013, 02:19:14 PM »
Not all that unlikely IMO if the bobkitty felt trapped and threatened.   Almost any wild animal will fight back if cornered/pressed.   Do remember another such story (and video) of an attack by a Red Fox on a residential street back east someplace that was not cornered or threatened.   Gent did get bit and did the rabies thing just in case - not pleasant.   Probably sick but I don't remmeber if it was ever found to prove it out.
 
When I still lived in my ranch house a few years ago on the edge of the city here I had a big male bobcat that took up residence in my back yard for a few weeks.  Probably because of the cottontails, quail, doves, song birds and hummers that also lived in it (and that I had feeders out for), and maybe for the places it could take secure refuge there.   He paid no mind to me, would walk right past me within inches soemtimes without much more than a look now and then.   He deffinatly was not afraid of me from the first close encounter (that caught me by total surprise) - not after because I did not threaten him - he was welcome there.   But I was attacked there by coyoes twice though, with no question at all they were actual attacks.   Both in the wee hours of the night when out for a smoke and to check the mail at the box out front by the street.   One was thwarted by knocking it out with my fist, the other by beating the pack to my door.   But coyote attacks have been common here for years in certain areas of the valley bordering the desert.   They come in for the pets and to rummage through garbage - have even been seen rummaging around the casinos on The Strip well inside the city.
 
I hunted predators for about 5 decades, and being the one being hunted was never more evident than when calling in lions.   Especially those hunts where the hackles on the bacl of my neck going up was the key that told me one was very close watching me that I had not seen come in... so close a couple fo times it was quite unnerving.   I did get sort of attacked by one on a hiking trail in SE AZ once that surprised me, but it didn't amount to anything but a lot of snarliing and spitting until I shoved a handle into its face that sent it packing.   And I've had far more than my fair share of black and grizzly bears right in my face.  Not hunting me as far as I know, just chance encounters while in the outdoors.   We are not always the top predator, but a good knowledge of the other species goes a long way when push comes to shove with them.
 
 
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2013, 10:48:35 AM »
Many times my little Beagles let me know we were being followed by something.  Have found Coyotes, Wolves, Black and Grizzly Bears all on my back trail. 

But the scariest one was when I was calling Turkey in New Mexico's Sacramento Mountains.  A mountain Lion had came to within 10 feet of me without me knowing it.  The Lion Screamed, I turned, there it sat, and froze.  We looked each other in the eye for what seemed an eternity.  Then the Lion turned and slipped away.  That was the most frightening experience of my life 
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Offline squirrelslayer

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Re: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2013, 10:36:29 PM »
Geez, I've stared down some awfully upset sow black bears and had pigs get close but if I was that close to a cat I don't know if I could keep my nerve long enough to not let the air out of him.
I hate when i miss. But when I do, I can always come up with a reason why.

Offline Gun Runner

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Re: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2013, 11:01:53 PM »
About 5 yrs ago guy was in a blind calling turkeys, only thing that showed up was a Mt. Lion, it not only showed up it pounced on the guy and left some ugly marks on him. Cat was finally shot by Fish and Game.

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Offline FPH

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Re: Sometimes you're the hunter...sometimes the hunted.
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2013, 05:28:58 AM »
I've had a Bobcat come at me at a dead run from my 6 when I was callin yotes.  Only had time to pick up a shotgun and dispatch him......Just saw him by luck.  Also called in a Lion, picked him up about 25 yds out, about the same time he picked me out.  He ran off and was no where to be seen by the time I gathered my wits  They are sneaky.