Mountain Lions Kill Elk and Have a Feast! Wait to See How Many Show Up! Stealth Cam Footage.
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- It’s pretty special getting to see large predators in their natural environment. I was recently lucky enough to find a freshly killed elk and get a trail camera on it. It’s amazing to see just what comes in. It’s also a little unnerving going back to an area with so many large predators. Stick around for the whole video if you can!
Thanks for watching!
-Iris
Instagram: @allthewildplaces
www.instagram....
Those are very healthy looking cats. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
I was happy to see them all looking well fed!
Great video Iris, very much enjoyed it!
Up here in North Idaho, a young man shot an elk a couple years ago on an opposing ridge, just at dusk.... A wolf pack sounded off immediately, and he knew he wouldn't be able to get to his kill on time. He got there early the next morning. The elk was nothing but stripped bone. Less than 9 hours later. Predators are incredible!
Appreciate what you do!
Sounds like if he couldn’t recover it until the next day the meat would have gone to waste anyway, so it’s good the wolves made use of it! Thanks Rick!
@@IrisGardner hunting season is in the fall. the days are cool, and the nights often drop below freezing. thousands upon thousands of big game animals are killed and hung at camp in game bags for days before being packed out and refrigerated. and as a lifelong Montanan....i can tell you that NOTHING about Wolves is good or beneficial. people who support wolf reintroduction usually also support abortion, liberal judges and banning guns.
So cool to see how they do just disappear into the background. Always nice to have extra eyes and ears and especially noses out in the woods with you. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent footage. Thank you for making it available. Much to learn from watching them.
Thanks for watching, Glad it was helpful!
@@IrisGardnerThanks for the wonderful video, and a huge thanks for not ruining it with crappy background music.
Great capture of that cougar family on camera. Thanks for sharing.
What a brilliant piece of filming the right place at the right time excellent viewing Iris .well done for your intuition and taking your time to go and get a trail cam. Brilliant. Thankyou
Thanks Steven! 😊
Incredible. This is the coolest cougar footage I've seen
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very, very neat. It’s especially interesting to see the subtle communication going on between the cougars
They’re just like giant house cats. 😻
As soon as the first pounced and a little snarl you could tell they knew each other. I assumed siblings, then momma showed up.
Males often leave the first year, but a female may stick around 1-2 yrs or until one or the other goes into estruss....then it's time to go their own ways.
Same as with raccoons.
Great video. Its amazing how camouflaged the cougars are when in the brush., You could walk right past one and not see it.
I figure they see me a lot more than I see them!
99.99% of the time! Lol
@@IrisGardner,
Whatwhat state was this?
Great video. Beautiful cats. Take care out there.💙🌸🌙🐌
Your pure bravery is humbling. What a fascinating person.
Thanks Cliff!
Well done, thank you. I'm in couger country in central AZ and knowing that they can be ambush preditors I also look up into the trees. Stay safe.
same here. if I am walking through stands of ponderosa pine I look up to scan the branches above and ahead of me for perched lions. also at ledges close and higher than me.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing! Helps us understand the other critters on this planet.
Your rational and reasonable approach to something like is astounding today's world.
You are a very self aware and gentle soul that resides in reality.
You are also a born teacher.
UA-cam was made for good people like you.
Bravo!!
Thanks so much! 🥰
Yup...my thoughts...dont l ow how u ended up in my feed but withing 30 seconds you and you voice incaptured me SUBSCRIBED
So happy, you shared with us this wonderful adventure. What a spectacular sighting!
I have seen a cougar slip through my hunting camp while up on a hill in the Sierra Nevadas glassing for deer on a hunt. He or She jumped on my tent that night thus landing on Me inside! Curious critters but left out of boredom thank goodness. Laying inside a tent armed does little to feel good about, seeing they can see but you can't! They are hard to ever see but they are there, trust me! When you hear what sounds like a bird at night, it is no bird! Its Momma calling her cubs. They are majestic, I have also heard a kill late at night on hunts. Such a beautiful and powerful animal, much respect for them and the job they do to balance nature. Thanks for the video, what a sight you captured.
Wow, that’s not something most people have experienced Mitch! As an avid backpacker & camper, having something with large claws and teeth jump on my tent is something I hope to avoid, lol. They are fascinating creatures! Thanks for sharing the stories!
Wow that's gotta make your adrenaline rush! Ive been out hiking and returned to find cougar tracks over top of mine which is eerie enough I can't imagine an up-close encounter at night like that! I call cougars 'the Ninja's of the forest', there is no telling how many times they have been watching us with the humans being none the wiser. When in cougar country I feel I can safely assume I am being watched. On a few occasions the hair on the back of my neck stands up and I genuinely think it is some instinct, like a detail/noise your subconscious picks up alerting you to danger but your conscious mind doesn't quite acknowledge whats up/wrong.
@@perrys5954 You can hear your heart beating out of your chest! That 'feeling' you talk about most people don't pay attention to. Myself, I have learned to live by it and trust it. Also, that cat did not extend it's claws on my tent, more like a pounce but I would guess a hundred pounds at least. I was protecting 'my cub', it was my sons first deer hunt at 12 at which He slept through it, all the better! I've also seen a Gorgeous Wolf outside Virginia City NV and a Badger in Echo Summit Ca. Both animals the Fish and Game say don't exist here. Sure, ya right!
Omg watching you out there alone made me nervous even with the dogs lol. I have great respect for animals, Cougar footage was amazing to watch especially that pounce! Thanks for video.
The cats are always around and fortunately they mostly mind their own business and keep to themselves. Thanks for watching! 😊
Thank you, Iris! Amazing footage. I had to watch the whole thing! Lol
Thanks Karen! When you watch them for a while you realize they’re just big house cats!
HEY IRIS ..... Thanks! ........ this was super neat to watch = Mt. lions in the wild! We're in the Catskills in NY!
I had seen one Mt. lion that had just been shot in a neighbor's barnyard ..... and saw a lynx (only once) in the
same county [Greene] = But of course the authorities say "NONE EXIST IN THESE MOUNTAINS"! In order to
be 100% accurate with their declaration = they would actually have to be = IN every cave, UP every tree, and
ON every single foot of the ground in every country in all our area. & THAT ~ ALL at the SAME TIME = (N O T)
Wow i used to be in the same area. Have u ever heard of or seen a black panther up there? I haven't but my neighbor did while out hunting early one morning. He watched it fight with a bobcat. The authorities say there's no such thing in the Catskills.
Dog alarm didn't go off , your safe. Left uncovered they are done with it or watching you. Great video thanks !
Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to post this footage.🙏🏾
Thanks for watching!
It is so wonderful seeing a truly intelligent articulate and aware person like you in this video! I can't quite find the words for you and the respect for your approach and awareness within the situation. Great video! You have a new subscriber in me. Looking forward to watching more content! :)
Oh I forgot to ask. You mentioned being out for a ride when you spotted the kill. Hores-back or quadding? Was it safe to say you came back horseless to avoid the hazards of a spooking horse?
Thanks so much Perry, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and subscribe! I was horseback when I found the kill, and yes, I did come back on foot. It was actually the horse snorting and shying a little bit that made me look around in the first place and spot the buried carcass.
Truly amazing some fools abject to cougars making a living as they have for millions of yrs, chalk it up to urban disconnect from wilderness or dumb self centered hunters in a few instances I suppose.
Hello Iris, I actually enjoyed the video. I too have a lot of trail cameras out and to see wildlife living is so amazing, I never get tired of it. Where is this located? I don’t mean to exact location, but just to have some kind of an idea. I live in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in NY. Look forward to more videos from you. You speak very well and you explain the situation well. Great information!
Excellent footage, thanks for sharing! And yes while Cougars are part of the circle, they can become a problem. Some areas develop a "Predator Pit" which struggling deer and bighorn sheep populations are unable to rebound from. Sheep are of the biggest concern, as when our forefathers brought domestic sheep in and inadvertently introduced diseases the sheep fell prey to, and the populations honestly are just a fraction of historic numbers, and in many areas where they are re-introduced or just hanging on, cougars prey heavily. One spot I hike in, I've found four cougar killed bighorns, three large rams and an ewe, within a 1/4 mile. I have found numerous cougar killed deer, does and even large bucks, and found dead elk but not sure any were cougar kills. I would recommend hiking back in with a blade and perhaps a pair of pliers and keeping the ivory elk incisors. I have about 30. I do a lot of trail cams, but it's extra cool you were able to set up on this fresh kill. Again, thanks. The kittens were cute!
Amazing to watch! Thank you so much! ❤
Cool Iris !! Circle of Life is definitely 💯 correct. Thanks for posting this. Amazing how they just show up and disappear into the brush. Be careful please 🙏 🇺🇸🐆🐕🐶 love your dogs.
They’re super stealthy and have excellent camouflage, for sure! Thanks for watching Jimmy! 😊
Great footage and honest study of nature doing its thing.
I’ve spent some time camping in really remote areas of Vancouver Island where the cougar population is one of the highest in the world. Warning signs everywhere yet I’ve never seen one. (I’m sure they saw me though)
I’ve seen lots of black bears, brown bears, and never had a problem with them. I make some noise and they run away.
On a lake in the mountains only accessible by float-plane, I was camping with my father. We were the only humans for 30 miles on this beautiful mountain reservoir where trout and salmon were jumping everywhere. We brought minimal food but fishing gear and the float plane pilot dropped us off for a week in the remote wilderness to live off the land until next Thursday at noon when he promised to pick us up.
The first thing we noticed was the utter lack of mammals of any kind. Lots of Eagles, osprey, diving ducks, lots of fish, but no predators (besides ourselves), not even the occasional squirrel, our only weapons being fishing poles. Very strange not to see land mammals at all in such a pristine and untouched environment.
We stayed in an abandoned ranger cabin that had three walls and a little porch overlooking the pristine lake. Very cool. The back door to the “cabin” was outfitted with a bear lock, which was ridiculous since all a bear had to do is go around to the porch and walk right in the cabin, unimpeded. Nevertheless, we locked the bear-door at night. Why give them two ways into the cabin?
Me and dad caught a few trout for lunch and dinner, cooked them on an open fire behind our cabin. Surely the smell of fresh fish and cooking fish should draw in unwanted guests, but the only mammal we saw the whole week was a Marmit who stared at us from a log. I quietly and kindly offered the marmit a piece of salmon and he ran away. I left the salmon on his log over night and checked the next morning to find it untouched. By anything. Weird.
In this place, it’s very probable the wildlife has never encountered humans before and doesn’t trust us at all. That’s good for them, but I found it a little insulting. We’re good people, we love you. Don’t be afraid of us. Please?
We thought we’d get photographs of bears and deer and elk in the place where they should be, but saw nothing of the kind.
Cleaning another couple trout at the water’s edge, I felt a little spooked. Felt like I was being watched. Bears, I’m not that afraid of. They’re usually kinda loud and I can see them. Cougars spook me because they’re cats, and man I know cats. They’re silent. I have zero defense against a cougar attack and that’s the only one I was worried about. But since they’re obviously here and I haven’t seen one yet, I’ve never expected an attack more than this. I’ve never been more scared in my life. I felt like a sitting duck cleaning fish in the middle of cougar country. No cougar food anywhere in sight. Just a defenseless human with his back turned against the woods. Listening for the slightest rustle in the brush. Silence. Nothing. (These cougars are good), is what I thought as I threw the fish guts and heads as far into the lake as I could.
On day 3, me and dad are eating our fresh caught smoked salmon on the porch of the cabin watching the beautiful sunset on the snow-capped mountain peaks. Fish jumping everywhere after bugs landing on the lake. I had my guitar and dad had his harmonica.
“Dad, this is just beautiful man. Thanks for arranging this trip for us. You took me camping since I was a toddler and I’m a good camper. You taught me everything about the woods and I’m wondering if you find this place a little strange?”
Dad looked at me and slapped the spit out of his harmonica and said, “It is strange, son. No animals. None. We got a bear door on a three-walled cabin but no bears as far as the eye can see. You left food out for the marmit which should be a no-no, but not one animal touched it for days. Not even ants. What’s your take, son?”
I shrugged, “Maybe it’s your harmonica that’s scaring them away?”
He nodded, “Couldn’t possibly be your guitar though, huh?”
I frowned, “Animals love my guitar, dad. Your harmonica though, not so much.”
We joked and blamed each other for why we didn’t see any mammals other than a marmit that wouldn’t eat free food and we didn’t bother locking the bear-lock that night.
On Thursday at noon, we saw our float plane coming through the pass to land on the lake and pick us up. We loaded our gear on the Cessna and the pilot asked how our trip went? It was beautiful, caught lots of fish, blah, blah, blah, but there are no animals in these mountains at all.
The pilot laughed, “I bring people up here once a year. This place is loaded with animals. Cougars galore. Bears, deer, everything.
Most have never seen humans so they stay away. Look down in that valley below us. A herd of elk. They’ll come back to the lake once they know you’re gone. So will all the animals. Truly wild animals don’t get near humans. Cougar attacks only happen on bike trails near human society. You guys were the only cavemen they’d ever seen and want nothing to do with you. You can’t lure them in, you can’t feed them, you can’t take pictures of them but they’re there.”
I said, “Okay, so what’s with the bear-lock on the three-walled cabin then?”
The pilot laughed, “The ranger lived there for decades alone. Nobody knows why. I don’t think he was even paid to be there. Mostly fire-watch even though he couldn’t stop a fire, only start one. The solitude made him paranoid so he put a bear lock on a three-walled cabin door. That’s the story anyway, glad you guys caught some fish. Don’t tell anyone where this place is, okay?”
So we never told of the location of this place and never will. Why spoil it and make the animals trust us when they really shouldn’t?
Edit: First time watcher of your fine work and intelligent understanding of nature and just subscribed. Keep doing what you are doing.
You’re seriously good people.
I loved that story Sean. Thank you so much for sharing it. What a wonderful experience with your dad, and you’re a gifted storyteller.
I’m in the woods daily and don’t fear the predators. I take a few precautions, sure, but like you, I find that mostly they want nothing to do with us humans. Once you understand nature, without seeing it as an enemy, life gets pretty good. 😊
@@IrisGardner, Thanks so much and you’re right that in the wild, animals don’t trust humans and they rightfully shouldn’t, after all we’ve done to chase them away.
I’ve ridden horses a few times but don’t understand them like you do, being born and unfortunately raised in Chicago.
The animals I fear most are called “humans” and I love them but always ran away into the woods to get away from them if only for a short while.
Spent my life as a blues guitarist and played in many bands you’d probably know the names of. My dad was a blues musician himself and taught me how to be right with planet earth and whatever that might entail. I had a love/hate relationship with the stage playing my music, the cheers were fun but inconsequential to what I really wanted. I’m a better camper than a musician but nobody cheers that and that makes me smile.
Me and dad sailed on his sailboat around the South Pacific together, landing and staying in Hawaii for years. I became a marine biologist tagging sharks and dad was the captain of the Star of Honolulu. We both played music separately for years but came together once in a while when he’d organize a blues session on the Star. Famous musicians everywhere and it was a good time. But not what I really wanted, and neither did he.
My mother back in Chicago always accused me of being just like my dad. “You mean free from the bullshit? Okay, I’m guilty.”
Dad married his third wife and was finally happy and moved to Vancouver Island, BC. Became a Canadian. So cool.
I flew from Hawaii every year to visit them and we’d all play music in the yard, drink and laugh and have fun.
Dads wife died of cancer and my dad went into a deep depression. He pretended he was fine but I knew he wasn’t. My dad was my best friend and I know him better than anyone. He’s hurting. I feel it from 2700 nautical miles away.
That’s when he called me to fly from Hawaii to Canada and go on “our last great adventure.” I dropped everything, quit my job, and flew to Vancouver. Hopped a ferry to the island. “Let’s go dad! Let’s do this!”
He was 77 and dying when we went to that lake in the mountains. He pretended he wasn’t and I pretended I didn’t know this was our last great adventure together. But it was. He died the next summer and I’d lost the best friend I’d ever had in my life.
His last words to me on the phone from Canada to Hawaii were something like, “Keep on keeping on, son. Be afraid of nothing. Keep playing music, it calms the savage beast. See you on the other side.”
I knew then he had checked out. Goddammit I miss him.
Thanks for tolerating my story here, I’ve never shared it before but your cougar video just brought everything to the surface I’d been hiding for years. Thank you so much.
Take care, be safe out there. Love it, live it, always.
Yup...from da island myself.big cats around often
@@Woodstock271 What heartfelt, deep and very touching words you write! I'm so sorry about your father, the loss of him on this earth. You are fortunate - and he lives on in You! May you have children and may they too, be so lucky to have a father like yourself. Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories of your past. You are also fortunate to live in Hawaii!! Take care and God bless you ❤️
Also, couldn't help but think of something when reading your story about there being zero mammals in the wild. Did you ever consider Sasquatch? Don't laugh. Many people have seen them in that area and also, the feeling of being watched, feeling your sixth sense arise, feeling so preyed upon, sounds like sasquatch! Look up this very down to earth and sensible Canadian called 'How To Hunt' and listen to some stories of people's experiences in the woods. He is a guide and there's nothing flighty about him and he's had his own experiences. Kinda interesting at least!
That’s some exciting and interesting vid. Fantastic that you shared that.
Thanks Peter! 😊
You stumbled upon a cougar kill, and I stumbled upon your cool video. 😉That's the beauty of UA-cam. Glad to see you are packing bear mace, be safe. Thanks
Thanks so much!
Great footage thanks for sharing 🤙🏽
Thanks so much for sharing!!!! Super awesome video!!!!
One of the best predator cougar film I ever saw. Ie the best. Thank you 😊😊
Thanks Paul, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I sure thought it was neat to see them.
Thank you Iris , this is very cool !
This is some of the best wildlife cam footage I've seen, great job! And also thanks for your detailed explanation. I look forward to future videos.
Wow, thanks! So glad you enjoyed it! 🥰
Fascinating footage. I hike in areas of California where cougars live, and have never seen one, so I especially appreciate seeing these beautiful animals in your video . And you are 100% right in your comments about predators' role in the ecosystem.
Thanks Brian! Even when you live in an area with a lot of them they’re pretty rare to see!
But they've seen you
@@nateb4543 Indeed I assume they watch me every time I'm in their territory, tracks in the mud along a stream and such I'm lucky to see, only *once* saw the actual animal in the night and it disappeared in an 'impossible' fashion.
Amazing video, such a treat to watch! 💚
Glad you enjoyed it! I love sharing these amazing moments in the forest. 😊
This footage would have been interesting all on its own, but you made it so much more valuable with the context and insight you brought to it via the editing and narration. And you are one brave human being, too. Thank you! 🙏🏻
Thanks so much, I’m really glad that you enjoyed it! 😊
This is great footage. Thank you for sharing and being an advocate for the cougars being cougars.👍🤘❤️
Thanks for watching!
Hi Iris. I'm a 1st timer and really enjoyed it. Mountain lions are such an amazing predator and ghost of the forest. Love learning more about how they operate close up. So thanks!
Thanks Tom, I’m always fascinated by wildlife behavior. I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Remarkable footage, Iris. Big thanks for putting it together.
Thanks for watching Trevor! 😊
My first video of yours.I’m hoping you have lots more.I loved everything about it.The footage of the cats was amazing but I enjoyed all of your narration very much.My favorite thing was your passion and excitement throughout.I’m jealous.
There are so many naysayers in the world, it’s easy to forget that there are also people who show up and care. So thank you, that means a lot to me! 🥰
My kind of outdoors loving girl! Smart and informative! Stay safe in dem woods!😊
Always! Thanks Jon 😊
Anytime, Iris. Excellent video footage as well!
Iris - thank you so very much for sharing! Extremely fascinating to see this awesome adult Mama Mountain Lion and her brood partaking in a nice ample meal - along with a host of others. I love the Northwest. I was fortunate to live in Maple Valley back in the early 70s. I hope to see more of your posts.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch! 😊
Thanks for the great video and commentary. Beautiful country you have to roam about in.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
That’s something you don’t see every day while out hiking !
I have once in my lifetime !
Good trail cam work !
Thanks Norman, it was very cool to see!
Possibly a once in a life time video. THANKS and thanks for explaining how it benifits other animals. It's the circle of life in nature. Amazing how they camo and vanish in to the brush so close. .THANKS again.
Thanks for watching! I’m amazed at their camouflage too!
Thank you so much for sharing somethings we would never see and could not really imagine the natural reality of a bit of nature.
Thanks for watching James. 😊
Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing.
Cougars are gorgeous!! ❤❤Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for taking the time to watch! They’re fascinating animals.
I really enjoyed this vid, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching! 😊
This was a fantastic video. I love all big cats. Beautiful animals, thank you for sharing this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing… have many on camera but no kill pile… that was a lot of fun to see.
A trail camera placed by the Washington State department of fish and game captured pictures of seven adult cougars all relaxing together. Sitting, laying down, standing. Grouped together, just chilling. Unusual in the least.
That’s amazing. We had a group of four hunting this area for a while a couple of years ago.
Do you know how I can find that video? I'll try, but thought maybe you have details?
Thanks
@@Random-JustAnother at the time the picture appeared in our local newspaper, I don’t believe that video was available in trail cameras yet. I have saved the image from my newspaper. I don’t know if it might still be accessible but it’s from the 4/7/2011 issue of the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake, WA.
Nature creates a balance. If predators didn't keep the deer and elk population in check, the excess population would be more prone to genetic weaknesses, disease and even starvation. Even hunters help keep the deer population healthier and stronger. So those who think hunters, (both man and animals), are bad do not take into account what truly benifits the wild pray animals.
Very true Doc!
5:29 what a great whistle!
I'm 70, and have never learned to whistle. My mom tried to teach me when I was 6 or 7, but I never got the hang of it.
I can’t say I’m a great whistler, but enough to call the dogs back! 😊
Awesome footage Iris! Thanks!
Thanks for watching Justin!
The way they blend in is terrifying. Awesome footage. Be safe out there.
Fascinating isn’t it? Fortunately they really do seem to mostly mind their own business. Thanks for watching!
a brave woman you are, thanks for sharing this with us
That’s really cool, I also love walking hiking in the mountains. Gods country - thank you
Excellent video. Thank you. 😊
Beautiful! Thank you for capturing sharing. I could not see the one that pounced. Nor did I see number 3 until it moved .Even watching the brush it reappeared around the tree and I didn’t manage to follow it.Yikes. They are great shape. Liked and sub’d.
Thanks John! Their stealth and camouflage is incredible.
Hey thank you very much this was one of the best big cat scenes
Glad you enjoyed it! I love seeing them doing their big cat thing. 😊
Amazing footage! Cool to see the other diners.
This was super interesting and informative for a kid that grew up in the suburbs. Thank you Iris.
It’s a slightly different world out here, that’s for sure! Thanks for watching Jeff!
Hi Iris, new subscriber from SE England. Goodness knows why you popped up on my timeline but I really am glad you did. You captured footage that I would be proud to have done myself. Kind regards.
Thanks so much, I’m glad UA-cam decided to show you my video! 🥰
Thank you for the great footage & the real life drama!
Stumbled upon your channel and really enjoyed this post. Thank you! You look like you are on the east side with the pines there. Beautiful area, I hunt deer/elk there nearly every year. You've motivated me to get over and do some shed hunting and scouting.
Thanks Jeffery! Yep, we’re on the east side. The best side 🤫
Interesting and great video, we have elk here and where there is a sizable herd their is always cougars.
My god that is by far the prettiest cougar ive ever seen!!! healthy to!
1st one lol
Thanks for this video, Iris ❤️ Super educational and fascinating 👍🏻
Thanks for watching, they’re amazing creatures!
That was so cool! Setting up the camera definitely paid off!
Thanks NW Primate, I find that taking the time to set up those cameras pays off more often than not! 😊
Hey, it was my first time seeing one of your videos, I really liked it!
Thanks a bunch for stopping by and watching!
Ghost of the woods
I enjoyed watching your alert approach, roaming the forest, as much as the cougars themselves!! Thanks for taking the time exploring and sharing that video, god bless.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words. 😊
If one of those big cats decided to stalk & eat someone I'd say there's about a zero percent chance of survival.
I tend to agree.
Iris, I love your trail cam footage and commentary. How on earth did you stumble upon that kill in the thick underbrush? Was it just off a trail or did your dogs smell it? It looks like you live in a very alive part of Washington with a full range of critters to observe. My cabin is in the Sierras where cougar, bear and the other critters abound. Most often it's only their scat and tracks I get to see. I agree that was a momma and her nearly grown cubs. Great content. Thanks
Thanks Nancy, it was totally random. I am working a young horse and decided to do some brush-whacking with him when we stumbled right onto it. We’re lucky to live in an area that’s still quite wild and amazing! And I love the Sierras, I backpack there every summer!
@@IrisGardner www.youtube.com/@JeffreyNadolny
I don't want to scare anyone by posting this link
Great video. Last year I came across the mostly skeletal remains of an elk whilst hiking on Vancouver Island..I was amazed that there were lots of little chickadees pecking on the remaining little bits of meat on the bones..they were so intent on what they were doing I could stand 2 feet away and they didn’t even look at me.
@@juliamadison5701 Julia, that is a great story! My first memory of Chickadees was at age 6 when a little band of these charmers chattered in my ear and refused to flit off from the low branches by my face. Then I realized they were looking down and when I did I found I had nearly stepped on a beautiful California KIngsnake. From that day on (I'm 75) I pay close attention to what all forest critters are alert to.
@@juliamadison5701 we don’t tend to think of little song birds as carnivores, but they sure love that extra food when times are lean!
Absolutely gorgeous footage! They are so majestic!
Mother Nature is extremely efficient.
I don't hunt anymore, but frequently coyotes were the first visitors to any gutpile I left. Often the next morning.
They are so broad shouldered and their coats are amazing! Mom has done a spectacular job!
I don’t think the coyotes came to this one since the cougars had already staked their claim.
@@IrisGardner totally makes sense. I hunted in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and there were no cougars there at that time and a wolf sighting back then was considered extremely rare, so the coyotes only real competition were black bear.
Looks like a young cat and mom. nice pics.
Your newest subscriber here expressing appreciation for this video, and the time and effort on your part making. it. I live in S.W. Colorado, and enjoy walkabouts in Montana and Idaho, and I for one realize the risk you took going back....TWICE....after finding mommy's stash!!! Right on, and thank you. When you found it, she wasn't far away, and just went to get the kids for supper. I see that you obviously know the mountains and was aware of what was probably going on, and this mountain man thanks you for this video, and appreciates your spirit for adventure.
Thank you Mike, that actually means a lot to me. As you’ll see from some other comments, there are plenty of men who’ll just assume I’m a silly girl who doesn’t know what I’m doing, so I appreciate that you are a real outdoorsman who sees that I know how to look out for myself and appreciate a little adventure! 😊
You're welcome Iris. My pleasure.
You are very tuned in to your surroundings, love the footage, I would like to invest in a trail cam , I was wondering what one were you using. Mountain lions don’t miss hardly anything in their vicinity, nature feeds us,have a good day
Thanks Rick. 😊
I’m using a Stealth Cam DS4K
That was a wild video. I ran into a cougar last year in the woods so it was interesting to observe their behavior during feeding. You know alot about cougars, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Rick, count yourself lucky, not many people get an opportunity to see them in the wild!
Great footage and narration! A great video! Just down the road from you and wasn't aware of your channel. Subscribed!
Awesome, thank you! 😊
What trail cam are you using? Really good video and sound.
@@flyinghorsedrone5376 I’m using a Stealth Cam DS4K
@@IrisGardner nice! Do all versions of this cam record sound?
@@flyinghorsedrone5376 I’m not sure about that. The sound is really nice to have though!
I'm glad you're brave enough to risk getting the footage haha! Loved it!
Its amazing the tawney color of Momma compared to her "kits" there almost whiteish tan. Wnd shes as dark as deer or elk. You would never see her coming
Thanks for sharing . They also control the rodents and spread seeds to grow 🌲 . Hopefully no huntting allowed . Or a bear came and stole it 😊 . Beautiful cougar family there . Your right about what your saying . We need them getting the feral hogs .
😮 That was amazing- thank you for sharing! I see cougars lay down after a big feast just like we do! 😅 I love nature- it has it’s own ecosystem and remove just one thing from it and it just may collapse. Be safe- 😊
Turns out they’re just giant house cats! 😂
@@IrisGardner I guess so- but give those spicy kitties some space!! 😆
Very enjoyable. Nice combination of logical scientifically oriented commendation mixed with mutual love of the natural world.
Many thanks!
Bear Spray? Pfft. Bear spray is for people who cant handle passing through the digestive tract of a grizzly.
Seriously though, this is so cool.Thanks for posting it.
Ha! You’re right. Next time I’ll just smear some bacon grease on myself first to make it all a bit more interesting! 🤣
Thanks for sharing! Fascinating.
Really enjoyed this! Love the reality of the caution you took, the pauses and the dog alerts. I especially loved your understanding of how animals eat and your use of the term, "cycle of life".
It reminded me of this:
_Psalm 104:21,22 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God._
_22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens._
And this:
_Psalm 104:27-30 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season._
_28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good._
_29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust._
_30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth._
God is a great Creator, but this is a cursed world. I look forward to this one ending and God creating a new earth where there is no more death!
In the meantime, its pretty neat how things work, even in a corrupted world.
Thanks for the upload!
Thanks for watching! 💫
amazing job...I love the story and footage......generally which part of WA? I spend time south of Kettle falls along hwy 25 and see lots of cats on game cameras. just curious if your area is nearby? (not looking for specifics, and understand if you want to stay private). again thank you for sharing.....really enjoying seeing this close up.
Thanks Rick, yep, you’ve got the area pretty spot on, we’re just north of you up the river a bit. 😊
I live outside Des Moines, Iowa. Two years ago while walking the dog I came upon a hanging fallen tree with what looked like claw sharpening marks. The shreds were over a half inch wide, the length of the scratch was 18-22 inches. I called the local DNR to report this. A few weeks later a large solo male was photographed several times 40 miles away. They have a very wide range, much wider than most would expect.
Cool to see the claw marks. They can definitely travel!
well done ,great job explaining the reality of the food chain, thanks for sharing..........
Thanks for watching! 😊
Thank you for this video and info.
Well done! Trail cams are great... as was your narration.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Loved it they are such a beautiful animal
I love Hucks beautiful green eyes
Great video, I live in central Kentucky among the hollers n streams n just love Mother Nature n animals
Fantastic footage, really enjoyed seeing the cougars so close up. Greatly enjoyed and appreciated the video and narration 👍
Thanks for watching! 😊
@@IrisGardner 👍 👍
Very cool. The cougars look in good shape - nice to see.
Well fed wildlife means well behaved wildlife. I’m always happy to see healthy looking animals. Thanks for watching!
This is so awesome ! I used to live in Sooke on the island . The big cougar that walked into the Empress Hotel,…I got to pet her. 😳🤣She was tranquilized of course and was in the back of Natural Resource officers truck who was my buddy. Her paws were Huge and her tail was thick. Beautiful cat. Anyhow I’m babbling …love your video! I miss BC ,WA and the coast. Miigwech from Ontario
They’re amazing animals, for sure! 😊
you are a brave woman! They had good mothers, they are sharing!