Third day of season we see two bulls a couple miles away, we make a plan for a stalk on them we check wind and get above them still undetected. We start to make our move every thing was perfect had a nice route through the trees wind in our favor. Start getting close and get a arrow knocked get to the edge of the opening one bull should be about 40 yards when I come out so I go fulll draw and start to peak around the tree slowly and no elk! I was confused so I thought maybe they moved down to the next little clearing as I started to cross the first clearing I look to the tree line and there stands a mountain lion looking me in the eyes 40 yards from me I know now where the elk went the lion got there before us and spooked them now I?m holding my pistol hoping I don?t have to shoot this thing it wouldn?t of taken it long to close the gap on me. So in the end I have a cool story and still have time to get one .