I'm not pickin on you by saying what I did. If you're conflicted about it, don't do it! If you really want to hunt it don't rule out a camera. Otherwise you're left with either leaving it lay, skin it, mount it (you said no on that). You could eat it-you might be surprised, it's not bad!

You haven't been around the forum long enough to see the flame wars over somebody's ethics vs someone else's. Just trying to point out that you gotta run on your own gears.

Ethics are something we each as individuals hold for ourselves. I kill a myriad of animals each year for the sake of management, control or profit with no intention of eating them and I am fine with it but now we are talking about me rather than you.

If you have to ask others if something is ethical which you are thinking about doing, I would say you likely think it's not ethical, or you would not have asked.

Do what's right for you and you will do what's right.

#1 - I didn't ask the question and I am not conflicted about it.
#2 - I am curious as to how this would be any different than coyote hunting.

Uh, bowtech, I was referring to the OP! That might be why you thought I was answering a question you didn't ask..lol.

Oh, well I saw you replied to me... no worries...

I am sure someone on the forum will take it off your hands.

Euro mount and tanned hide is what I would do, but you have to make your own decision about what is ethical to you and you have to live with that decision. So don't worry what other's say or think do what is right for you. Good Luck

For predators I go with a policy similar to the castle doctrine, if it is in my neck of the woods and poses a threat to my interests (whether it's my cattle, pets, or kids) I stop the threat. If you want to call it in on your lease and the owner gives the ok, or you own the land, then big cat hunting can be a real challenge. I personally have passed in East Texas because the bobcat is all but gone, and the coyote population is booming. Predators are important to the natural balance, but over predation causes a ripple that effects us all. All I can do is take an ethical shot and know my own limits.

Saw him again last Friday and this sucker is BIG. I'm guessing 20+ pounds. For the time being I set up my trail cam and will post the pics when I get them back. Thanks for all the advice. I've decided to let him walk until the fall and see what his coat looks like then.

Sounds like a good plan, can't wait for the pics.



Chupa

I agree with you on all points sqiggy. If it's known to be killing livestock I'd kill it too. Or if there seemed to be an abundance in the population which is having a negative effect on the other wildlife, kill it. If it's just eating a few quail or a turkey, it's just making a living. I also have no problem if someone kills them for sport as long as they are going to mount it or make a rug or something. If all seemed to be balanced on that particular property, I would not shoot it just for showing up. If I could call 3 or 4 in a night, I wouldn't have a problem with shooting it.