Hunting Mountain Lion without Hounds

[TheObserver]

Anybody done it, not incidentally but actively seeking them?

How would be the best ways to go about it, electronic calls?

I've maybe seen one in 29 years, maybe. So definitely never had a chance even incidentally.

[srupp]

hmmm one of my best friends is PRIMO mountain lion..lynx.. guide/outfitter who runs a really class act in the valleys that the #1 cougar was harvested from...with hounds..
heard of one guy who decided to hunt cougar without hounds.
He did what I would have done..he cruised the back roads looking for BIG tracks that were fresh..fresh fresh then parked the truck and hiked in after the cat...he did this numerous times until he actually found the cat...and proceded to wound the cat and went to seek Dougs assistance and dogs to find the cat and end the animals suffering.
I have seen numerous cougars in the wild..non was I ever hunting..
best way to harvest a cougar..guide outfitter in GREAT area with proven track record of success
did I mention SKINNER CREEK OUTFITTERS ?
without those tremendous advantages..hmmmmm
drive those back roads looking for fresh tracks in the snow...fresh large tracks..then go for a long hike while packing a tag and rifle...
calling doesn't ensure a cat is even in the same postal code
finding fresh tracks tells you one WAS in that spot ..smoking hot large track..= BIG cat fairly recently..
time effort best use of your time your effort...guided..
my .02
Srupp

[TheObserver]

hmmm one of my best friends is PRIMO mountain lion..lynx.. guide/outfitter who runs a really class act in the valleys that the #1 cougar was harvested from...with hounds..
heard of one guy who decided to hunt cougar without hounds.
He did what I would have done..he cruised the back roads looking for BIG tracks that were fresh..fresh fresh then parked the truck and hiked in after the cat...he did this numerous times until he actually found the cat...and proceded to wound the cat and went to seek Dougs assistance and dogs to find the cat and end the animals suffering.
I have seen numerous cougars in the wild..non was I ever hunting..
best way to harvest a cougar..guide outfitter in GREAT area with proven track record of success
did I mention SKINNER CREEK OUTFITTERS ?
without those tremendous advantages..hmmmmm
drive those back roads looking for fresh tracks in the snow...fresh large tracks..then go for a long hike while packing a tag and rifle...
calling doesn't ensure a cat is even in the same postal code
finding fresh tracks tells you one WAS in that spot ..smoking hot large track..= BIG cat fairly recently..
time effort best use of your time your effort...guided..
my .02
Srupp

No money for guide, young guy changing careers soon in the new year. I'm sure experienced guide with hounds is the best way though!

There is one going through one of my Blacktail areas right now and trying to see a way I could take him on my own. I know it's a long shot.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Anything is possible . get a tag .. thats it . make sure its a Lone Cat learn to read a track . Look for a Big track . long stride . there are more cats out there than you know

[srupp]

hmm I hear you...find the fresh tracks in snow...trail the cat..
calling I think is a really long shot IMO..however what an acomplishment...
knowing one is in the area is a hell of a good start...they are entering the wintering deer areas.
Best of luck..straight shooting
cheers
Steven

[Walking Buffalo]

You know where one is hanging out.
Go very soon after a snow and find the tracks.
Find a good spot nearby and use the e-caller.

I treed one once by running after it. But that one crossed the road in front of me into a small patch of trees.
And he/she was young. Lol....

Had another cat cross in front of the truck earlier that year.
BIG bugger, bigger than me.
A known horse killer.
I didn't chase him.

[swampthing]

I knew a guy who chased cats on foot. He would move on fresh sign and bark like a dog while running. I dont know if he ever caught up to one. I too will be out looking to track down a cat myself. I am pretty old so I dont expect to actually catch up to one but it will be fun trying!

[604ksmith]

I knew a guy who chased cats on foot. He would move on fresh sign and bark like a dog while running. I dont know if he ever caught up to one. I too will be out looking to track down a cat myself. I am pretty old so I dont expect to actually catch up to one but it will be fun trying!

You'll be finding one this year young man!

[dracb]

Virtually every year there is one or maybe two hunters that bring a cougar in here with a common story. i.e." I was sitting a stump (log, rock, atv seat and etc) minding my own business playing with my can call (cow/calf elk call, squalling rabbit coyote call or ?) when this cougar stuck its head out of the bushes or walked up behind me or ???? and I shot it".

Callers are more successful at attracting big cats than one might expect. Finding fresh cat tracks in fresh fallen snow before calling is a successful ploy for harvesting bobs and Lynx. Big Boar related hunting with a guide that used this technique to get Dave a Lynx in short order. It would probably also eventually get a houndless hunter a cougar with enough tries. My experience with the method has not yielded a cougar rug but twice I have found where a cougar followed my back trail until it could watch me calling. The cats then left without me even knowing they were there until I found their tracks on top of mine.

They do come when called if you can first get close enough for them to hear you. The group I used to hunt with in Arizona was successful in calling in a couple cougars while coyote calling, but then they also called in an ostrich (?) on one of the group hunts.

[horshur]

A dog that will chase a cat can tree one. Just sayin. Get a game dog close following a snow track. You do not need a track dog . Biggest cougar in BC caught with border collies.