Mountain lions and hounds.

[arcticfly]

Hi fellow outdoorsmen!

I am new to this forum, so first of all I would like to introduce my self. I am an avid outdoorsman from Norway. I write articles for norwegian outdoors magazines and this pays for my trips around the world. I write mostly about fishing, but allso hunting and general wildlife stuff. Right now I have a project of photographing all the big cats of the world. I have had some success calling in some cats. This is truly exiting, and calling in a mountain lion is right now on the top of my list. I know this will be an almost impossible task but I will try anyway. This trip is more like a scouting trip with wify to see where I should focus my attention on a more serious trip. The best cats I have called in is cheetah and my best trophy so far is the Iberian lynx. Only 250 of this specie left in the world.



http://lh4.ggpht.com/pLxXqnaDVbFx_Krqzsj-JbALhmGez_L0Ru9xUpqiZeQgQ2PXkRrcO2f5v7U5tBTTmyJdMP ISaMFIaHu3uCmwDALH=s1185

So, back to why I´m here...

I am going to visit Canada for a few days in late July. I will first stay in Vancouver Island, and then move on to Banff area. I will do some fishing in Bow river, and the rest of the time try to locate a cat, Mountain lion and/or Lynx. As I only have a few days I was wondering if you are allowed to tree mountain lions in the summer with hounds as a training exercise? I would love to get a tree shot of a puma and if allowed I could try to hire some houndsmen to achieve this. I guess the best place for this would be Vancouver Island as there are highest density of lions there. If this is not an option, do you know of anywhere there has been recent sightings of lions or lynx in the areas mentioned? I will stay on Vancouver Island for 4 days, and in Canmore 6 days. I will visit Waterton 2 days as well.

If you are allowed to tree lions, would any of you be interested in helping me out with this, or do you know of anyone that would be? How much would it cost?

I only considered this option now, so I have not had time to research this before.

Sorry for a long post.

Best Regards

Alex Ostvold

[markomoose]

Don't know if it's legal to tree a lion in the summer?You could PM Chilcotin Hillbilly as he does this for a living.Good Luck and Cheers Mark

[Elkaholic]

Most seasons with hounds will be closed. The next open season as far as I know is August private land bear. You have to wait until the fall for cats to open up.

[huntinnewbie]

The Vancouver Zoo, which actually is in Aldergrove very close to the freeway and 264th ST exit, has one. Should be easy to photograph as it is in a large natural looking enclosure. I know it's not the same as in the wild but if you really need a photo it could serve the purpose. Also if you are travelling to Vancouver Island from the interior you will almost go right by it.

[BiG Boar]

You could try calling one in if you didn't have a gun. But I would bring pepper spray as it's also the higest bear population.

[arcticfly]

Thank you for answers. I will try to call them, and I will for sure have pepper spray and make sure they cannot sneak up on me from the back.

To photograph animals in a zoo is not how I make my living, but thank you for the tip.

What are the areas with the most dense lion population on the Island? Or are they pretty much all over? Areas with lots of deer and cover obviously, but do they have different summer and winter areas like they have most places?

[Walking Buffalo]

You didn't mention looking for cats while you are in Alberta. There are no shortage of cougars (and the little guys; lynx, bobcats) around Canmore and Waterton. The cougar density in the southern foothills is off the charts, literally. Every new research project learns that there are more cats than previously believed possible based on assumed range requirements.

Hounding would also be out of season here, unless you can make arrangements to join one of the research teams or a problem animal specialists and the timing is right. Calling is an option and possibly much more likely to produce results due to the availability of much more open terrain.

[arcticfly]

That´s good news! Do you have any links to this projects, or who to contact this research teams?

I will for sure try to locate cats while in Canmore and Waterton. I have got a tip that there has been som lynx sightings around Lake Louise in Banff, so I will try to set up the fox pro there and a Mojo Critter to keep the focus of the cat away from me. I was under the impression that the bobcats were more in southern USA, but if they are around they are welcome to sniff my mojo critter ;-)

Is there a spesific area I should consentrate on?

[adriaticum]

Welcome
Check out these Facebook pages and post your questions there too.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2311768841/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/258076704342509/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/303054999732611/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/407104429400445/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HuntingBc/

Maybe one of the pros will be able to help you.
Cheers!

[arcticfly]

Great links, thank you!

[cdnshooter13]

North of cambell river will probably be your only available area to get out into the bush in late july, most of the south island will more than likely be locked up tight due to fire season(i think we are already at a high to extreme rating) Id contact the conservation service and maybe they would take you out on a problem cat(no shortage of them here this year). Calling for them with little knowledge of the areas will be more of a needle in a haystack scenario id think... But maybe youll get lucky? Good luck

[quadrakid]

I don,t want to rain on your parade but here goes. I,ve lived on the coast for about thirty years and spend a great deal of time in the bush.Total number of big cats I have seen,zero.There are plenty of cats but tough to see without hounds. Have a great trip,you will fall in love with ur woods and mountains.

[arcticfly]

I am very aware of the bad odds on my project, but I will still try. I am going there anyway, and if it does not happen I will still have a great time. I´m sure I can find some black bears if I´m lucky even if the cougar is not to be seen. I´ll bring my fishing rod and do some fishing in Bow river, and I´m sure it will be a wonderful experience. I´m to early for the salmon on Vancouver island it seems, but I can fish for orcas instead ;-)

Locked up, does that mean they close all parks and areas even for hiking?

[arcticfly]

And would I have better odds with calling the lynx? I read somewhere that there was a big snow shoe hare season in Banff last year. That should be good for the lynx population this year, right?

[Viper]

They do have locked gates at most of the logging roads. If you come to Campbell River you will be here in prime time for the pink salmon run. Lots of areas to fish the shoreline of the river. Can you post a link to your website. I want to see your work.

[arcticfly]

Will I be competing with bears for the salmon in Campbell? It might be a bit far for a daytrip from Victoria? I will try to get there for a day, if it is in season. What gear do I need? I was thinking of only bringing a 5 weight flyrod, but I guess this will not be sufficient for salmon...

my web site is www.bafoto.com and my Facebook photosite is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fotograf-B%C3%B8rge-Alexander-%C3%98stvold/522275821133893

[BlacktailStalker]

All cats are closed. To calling and pursuing. Just saving you a headache, an international tourist calling or chasing wildlife, without a guide not to mention out of season, wouldn't look good, I can guarantee that you'd be getting a fine.
Sure you'll have no firearm (I assume) BUT it can/would be considered harassment depending on who caught you.
The CO's wont take you on a problem call for liability reasons.
Book a pursuit hunt with an outfitter in the winter, you'll get to see it all from start to finish and maybe could tag along on a spectators fee which would probably be half the cost to kill one.
Sorry to be 'this guy' but like I said, it could save you a big headache.

For fishing info visit RiverSportsman right along the Campbell River, 5 wt for pinks is fine, they're fun on light gear. Big sea run cuttys in there too. Dont forget to check into licensing requirements.

[Walking Buffalo]

All cats are closed. To calling and pursuing. Just saving you a headache, an international tourist calling or chasing wildlife, without a guide not to mention out of season, wouldn't look good, I can guarantee that you'd be getting a fine.
Sure you'll have no firearm (I assume) BUT it can/would be considered harassment depending on who caught you.
The CO's wont take you on a problem call for liability reasons.
Book a pursuit hunt with an outfitter in the winter, you'll get to see it all from start to finish and maybe could tag along on a spectators fee which would probably be half the cost to kill one.
Sorry to be 'this guy' but like I said, it could save you a big headache.

For fishing info visit RiverSportsman right along the Campbell River, 5 wt for pinks is fine, they're fun on light gear. Big sea run cuttys in there too. Dont forget to check into licensing requirements.


Hmmmm..... really? :confused:

Can you confirm that anyone has ever been charged with "Wildlife Harassment" for calling deer or elk or wolves or ducks or rabbits outside of a hunting season?

I'm not buying what you are selling.

[BULLNUTTS]

Hey welcome to THE site Arcticfly.Thats a most fantastic photo of the rare iberian lynx and thx for sharing it! Good luck on your adventure,Tight lines and good huntin.BULLNUTTS

[houndogger]

Coons are still open great time to be in the woods with the dogs as most of the experts are typing stories...

[Lionhill]

If you visit the South Okanagan, there are a few up the hill to the east from Oliver. I have witnessed a few simply sitting in the middle of the road, but usually just before sunrise. Dogs and the correct season are the way to see them for sure, but you may get lucky. They are high up where it's cooler. The fawns are plenty now, so they are eating well. A few have been seen inside the town of Oliver too.

I did not witness this, but a home a few doors over watched a cat kill a doe in the middle of the street and drag it into the bush. We live in a somewhat rural area.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/lionhill/_LTP1205_zpsbf605c98.jpg

[arcticfly]

I am back, and as expected I did not see any cats. I got some good photos of black bears with and without cubs. Got a grizzly within 15 yards, enough to get the adrenaline to pump, but it was collared, so that ruined the photographic moment. Still have an awesome experience though. Called in two wolves in the Kananaskis. They were very suspicious, so I only got a photo of one of them, and it was as black as night.

Thank you for your help, and maybe I have better luck next time, with better planning.

Alex

[arcticfly]

Here is a couple of photos. I guess it´s nothing special for you guys that probably sees bears all the time. But a nice experience for me. I´ll attach a photo of the wolf as well.


http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/bostvold/bjoslashrn.jpg


http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/bostvold/ulv.jpg

[Mishka]

Great photographs! Thanks for sharing. The wolf shot is terrific.

[Philcott]

The wolf shot is terrific.

Agreed....

[The Hermit]

Great photographs! Thanks for sharing. The wolf shot is terrific.

Great wolf shot!

[arcticfly]

Thank you for your kind comments!