After talking with a few friends and wildlife officials I have decided to go ahead and post this. Tradgang will be the extent of my online posting. You all are a family and so many of my friends and family have urged me to post on the topic for your benefit.

6 yards of cold mountain air separated me from the mountains apex predator in milky darkness. After a continued advances of the cat and a failed effort to make the cat retreat I released an arrow which struck true at the base of the neck with the cat facing me and prepared to pounce... I heard the "thunk" of my arrow and the lion leapt into the air with a deep growl. I heard a crash a few short seconds later. Wildlife officials were contacted and confirmed my story. ...Colorado Mountain lion season is closed currently and my actions would have been highly illegal had I not been in imminent danger. To those who are venturing into the high country I would recommend carrying bear spray and or a side arm. I have carried these in the past but neglected them on this trip. Either would have most likely deterred the attack and saved the life of this beautiful animal. I am thankful to be unhurt but just as deeply remorseful of my neglect of standard wilderness safety. ... if you are ever in a similar situation with a mountain lion remember to not run! Rather, yell and make advances. If the cat attacks fight back with everything you have. Mountain lions do not like to be resisted or challenged.

.... oh, and a few days later I missed a long shot at a tremendous mule deer buck, shot right over his back.  Overall it was a tremendous hunt!

https://imgur.com/jRrMBBo

QuoteOriginally posted by Trumpkin the Dwarf:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by Michael Arnette:
 

Fixed it for ya!      [/b]

Cudos for having the ethics and integrity to report it in the first place, I'm sure many wouldn't.
Glad your safe, bet that got your heart pumping.
I came across a large cat track here a few days ago. Makes ya stand up and look around.

Man oh man, I'm glad your safe, kept your head and made good on your shot, also glad for an understanding official!

  Wow!!! I'm glad you're ok!!!!

I had a close call like that in NM a few years ago, but was able to just back out.

QuoteOriginally posted by bucknut:
I had a close call like that in NM a few years ago, but was able to just back out.

Good deal! this situation got too intimate very quickly. It's my third encounter with lions and the second close encounter.

Michael,

Glad you came out on the right end of the encounter.  

Mountain Lion and Bowhunter encounters are fairly common here in the Rocky Mountains, California, and Oregon, several of then are reported each year here in Montana.  I know Barry Wensel had a similar encounter with the same results in the early 90's and I had one in 1994 detailed in the link below.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=055765#000000

There are people back east that believe only hunters with dogs kill lions.

Walt! I remember reading your very thread and thinking to myself how rare a situation that would be. I never thought I'd be in a very similar situation

Yup thank God you made it out bet you'll be toting the big iron on your hip next time " I know I would" those cats ain't no joke!!

Glad your ok thanks for sharing.

I'm glad you came out o.k. It is sad to kill an animal under these conditions, but you had no choice. You are also fortunate that the game official accepted your explanation of events.

Wow lots of good decisions here.

I am glad everything went right, things can happen and you made what you had to do.

Glad you kept your whit's and did the right thing....  

Glad you are ok Michael. Quite an experience for sure.

Hey Michael! I'm glad you shared this encounter with us! And I'm glad you're alright! I can't see the picture though.  

I am glad that you are alright. An experience that you will be telling your grandkids.

I can't see any pictures either.   :(