|
Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Bowhunting deer is my absolute favorite of all hunting and not much else has really piqued my interest....until tonight.
I saw a guy walking through waist deep snow in the beautiful mountains somewhere and he nailed a mt. lion that was up a tree. That really interested me. They had a number for an outfitter but I didn't catch it. Anybody ever go after em with a bow? |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Never. But I watched an old Howard Hill film where he did. Obviously it was pretty old film but it was pretty exciting just watching. That guy was awesome.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Never have, no.
I watched a video where they hunted them with dogs, I actually felt sorry for the cat when it was shot. I don't know exactly how its different, but seeing that cat cornered on a cliff by the dogs and the hunter taking the shot just didn't sit right with me. Maybe I'm a bit hypocritical for feeling that way, but I don't think its a hunt I would go on myself. Maybe if I called one in or something, but I couldn't hunt them with dogs. |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
That would be a fun challenge!!
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
saw tom miranda do it on one of his shows and it was with dogs too. They had it up in a tree and he shot it. Doesnt look like fun to me
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I dont think it would be sporting using dogs but heck theirs so many around here I would love it to be legal to use dogs
we have one {million}to many not to mention I dont like cats. |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
It's ok to chase ducks/geese, pheasant, quail, etc. with dogs, but when it comes to mt lions...that wrong? What wrong with this picture? Seem like a double standard to me.
Yes, I have hunting Mt. lion. Quite frankly to this day, ithas been the hardest hunt I have ever endured. I killed my lion afterfive days of strenuous hunting ( I was in the best physical condition of my life).Following dogs isn't as easy as you all think, nor is it a guarantee. My cat scaled cliffs unscaleable by the dogs or man. He jumped from tree to tree...tree to rock ledge. He went places the dogs could not follow. Many times the houndsman and I were left scratching our heads. I was forced to case my bow after my second outing. I thought hunting with a slung rifle would free up my hands and arms for climbing. In the end the rifle bruised my head plenty and it was severely damaged with the poor footing in icy conditions.I kill my lion with a pistol. The handgun seemed to be the best solution for the task at hand. I could throw it into a pack. Thus, offering the weapon some protection andallowing me the freedom to use my hands. My hunts lasted from sun rise to sunset (6:00 am to 5:00 pm). The miles put in would have killed an average person (honest). This hunt is not for the faint at heart and should be taken seriously. Yes,killing the lion was not nearly as fun/hard as the chase. But it sure was rewarding to have the cat in the bag. Thecanines were a means to an end...no different than usingdogs to point birds. If it's not your cup of tea...don't play! If youdesire an incrediblyawesome hunt...knock yourself out! Lion makes for someterrific table fare, and no, it doesn't taste like chicken (has the texture of a good porkchop) My $.02 |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
ORIGINAL: iamyourhuckleberry It's ok to chase ducks/geese, pheasant, quail, etc. with dogs, but when it comes to mt lions...that wrong? What wrong with this picture? Seem like a double standard to me. |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
ORIGINAL: iamyourhuckleberry It's ok to chase ducks/geese, pheasant, quail, etc. with dogs, but when it comes to mt lions...that wrong? What wrong with this picture? Seem like a double standard to me. Yes, I have hunting Mt. lion. Quite frankly to this day, ithas been the hardest hunt I have ever endured. I killed my lion afterfive days of strenuous hunting ( I was in the best physical condition of my life).Following dogs isn't as easy as you all think, nor is it a guarantee. My cat scaled cliffs unscaleable by the dogs or man. He jumped from tree to tree...tree to rock ledge. He went places the dogs could not follow. Many times the houndsman and I were left scratching our heads. I was forced to case my bow after my second outing. I thought hunting with a slung rifle would free up my hands and arms for climbing. In the end the rifle bruised my head plenty and it was severely damaged with the poor footing in icy conditions.I kill my lion with a pistol. The handgun seemed to be the best solution for the task at hand. I could throw it into a pack. Thus, offering the weapon some protection andallowing me the freedom to use my hands. My hunts lasted from sun rise to sunset (6:00 am to 5:00 pm). The miles put in would have killed an average person (honest). This hunt is not for the faint at heart and should be taken seriously. Yes,killing the lion was not nearly as fun/hard as the chase. But it sure was rewarding to have the cat in the bag. Thecanines were a means to an end...no different than usingdogs to point birds. If it's not your cup of tea...don't play! If youdesire an incrediblyawesome hunt...knock yourself out! Lion makes for someterrific table fare, and no, it doesn't taste like chicken (has the texture of a good porkchop) My $.02 |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I enjoy the chase much more than the kill. The cats I've harvested with a bow were pretty well worn down from the miles of rough terrain and hard running. But the bottom line is that I will be back out there next year with my bow and some dogs and doing it again.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I never have but I want to. I think its fair to hut with dogs since thats the only way to harvest one in most areas. Think about all the deer that mnt. lion must take to survive. I talked with some guys who hunt bears with hounds. They said its a rush.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Not true at all Dan. On my second day of hunting (another 12 hour ordeal), we had a lion up a tree three different times. Each time we approached, the lion lept from the top to the ground and scurried off. The chase was on once again. We never caught that lion...he flew away. We simply ran out of day light. We left blankets out for the dogs and luckily the houndsman collected all of them the next morning. I returned the following weekend for more of the same.
For comparision purposes, hunting lions without dogs is like shooting skeet/trap with a bb gun. So, have you ever shot trap with a shotgun? Does the use of that tool seem unfair? Go ahead and try a bb gun. Sure, you'll get one every now and then, but your chances are slim. As a conservation minded individual, you have to admit that lions, like all wildlife, need to be managed. The dogs are a tool to this end. Doing it without them is nearly impossible. Not doing it at all is a wreck waiting to happen (California) I do understand your feelings though. There is nothingbeautifulwhen it comes to killing animals. It's bloody/voilent and viewers discretion is advised. It is also necessary, as you know, to maintain healthy populations. For me, I elect to be pro active in this arena. By the way, keep an eye on the newspapers. It's that time of year when young two year old lions get chased away by momma.These 65-85 pounds catsusually end up in neighborhoods killing dogs and cats...they attack children and adults when hungry enough. The articles will be in the papers within the next few months...just watch. Mightymite, you are 100% correct in your assessment. How many shows do youthink they would sell ifproducers presented five days of chase and nothing killed in the end? |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Nope, not in California...against the law...but soon to be changed, you'll see, sooner than later more mt lions attacks will change the policy...
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I have never done it, but i certainly will one day. From what i understand your chances of success arent that high even if you use dogs. I hear you need snow to find them and then the stars still have to be aligned. One day i will find out for sure. Man a mountain lion would look great on the wall!
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I just recently read an article in Sporting Classics Magazine. It gave full description of a mountain lion hunt with dogs. They stressed if you were interrested in a lion hunt, to find one where dogs were used. Apparantly calling lionssometimes, butRARELEYworks. Tracking can be done in the snow, but you have to find an absolute fresh track, and even that rarely works. The lions move so rapidly through their terrain, that when you do think you cut a fresh track, the lion could be miles away. Meanwhile your moving very slowly, never to catch up. This is the reason why dogs are needed. With the dogs it's said that it's still a very demanding andexhausting hunt...............On another note, I spent my chidhood yearsrabbit hunting with my two prized beagles, Bonnie & Clyde. My grandfather schooled me on how to work those dogs. That's some of the best hunting memories I've ever had, and the most fun. Tradition plays a huge role in dog hunting.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
ORIGINAL: iamyourhuckleberry Not true at all Dan. On my second day of hunting (another 12 hour ordeal), we had a lion up a tree three different times. Each time we approached, the lion lept from the top to the ground and scurried off. The chase was on once again. We never caught that lion...he flew away. We simply ran out of day light. We left blankets out for the dogs and luckily the houndsman collected all of them the next morning. I returned the following weekend for more of the same. For comparision purposes, hunting lions without dogs is like shooting skeet/trap with a bb gun. So, have you ever shot trap with a shotgun? Does the use of that tool seem unfair? Go ahead and try a bb gun. Sure, you'll get one every now and then, but your chances are slim. As a conservation minded individual, you have to admit that lions, like all wildlife, need to be managed. The dogs are a tool to this end. Doing it without them is nearly impossible. Not doing it at all is a wreck waiting to happen (California) I do understand your feelings though. There is nothingbeautifulwhen it comes to killing animals. It's bloody/voilent and viewers discretion is advised. It is also necessary, as you know, to maintain healthy populations. For me, I elect to be pro active in this arena. By the way, keep an eye on the newspapers. It's that time of year when young two year old lions get chased away by momma.These 65-85 pounds catsusually end up in neighborhoods killing dogs and cats...they attack children and adults when hungry enough. The articles will be in the papers within the next few months...just watch. Mightymite, you are 100% correct in your assessment. How many shows do youthink they would sell ifproducers presented five days of chase and nothing killed in the end? |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Dan,
It would be an honor toassist you inany direction I can. We have cougar in Colorado out the ying yang. Some of our GMUs have well over thirty cats/season quotas. Those quotas are rarely filled. "Good" snow is critical. When it's all over, we'll forgive you for all the cursing!:D |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I'm also having a hard time with this as well.
Not saying people shouldn't ,as long as their ok with it. Just not for me |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I too was wondering to myself how I would feel in using dogs on this type of hunt. But as another member said, you use dogs for birds & fowl & rabbits & coons as well. The lion could always leap out of the tree and either run the other way or tear the heck out of a couple of dogs.
I dunno, I still think it'd be reallycool to hunt em. A guy at work asked me why I'd hunt them, I told him I'd eat it if I killed it but that yes, it would most likely be for the sport/trophy aspect and notprimarily for food. |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I have beensitting herestruggling with my thoughts on shooting a mountain lion out of a tree. I see the challenge of the chase, but I do not think I would be willing to shoot the lion out of the tree, because he ison the end of his wits, an does not know what to do next. I think I would have too much respect for the lion after the chase. Just my thoughts.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Emotions aside, could you do it for the conservation aspect alone? I mean, Lions play heck on deer/elk/sheep populations. Again, many of the quotas in some areas are never filled. How do we maintain the bio-diversity of such areas if the cats are eating everything?Would you not lend assistance if you were capable?
Did you know mt. lion meat was one of the preferred meals of mountain men? With that being said, I think ya'll would want to give this meat a try. In Colorado, all edible portions of a lion must be consumed-it's the law. Trust me, there is no such thing as a cat at wits end (sheep yes, cat never). They elect not to run-nothing more, nothing less. They merely decide to take a stand. They can and do make ribbons of dogs at will.They have the power, patience, and persistance to wear canines out (men too). Their undoing usually comes when theyfail to perceive the hunter strolling onto the scene. When this happens,they still have the ablity to think..."sometimes they run, sometimes the stay...sometimes they die, sometimes they fly!" Next to humans, Mt. lionsarenature's ultimate predator. Their ghostly/athletic abilities are amazing! When you see one leap thirty feet from the top of a tree and disappear, you'll know exactly what I mean. Do not under estimate these wonderful creatures! |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
never thought id enjoy hunting with hounds for anything until i went coon hunting this past winter. man was it fun. now i will definitely be booking a mt lion hunt with hounds and i will prob tote my bow as well. may even try hog or bear with hounds too. they certainly add a rush to the hunt with all the baying and treeing barks, its really exciting. and cats in general (im referring to bobcats) can take many times to tree. i know around here if you tree a bobcat its hard to get there before it jumps out and the chase is on again. very hard to corner cats even if you do tree them because they can jump and run at any moment. this is where those 4-5 hour chases come in play, the hounds are just trained and conditioned to run with the lion until it finally tires out.
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Huckleberry, like i mentioned earlier, i am interested in oneday going on one of these hunts. Are there any guides that you know who you would reccommend?
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
Nj,
This is the outfitting companyI used. However, I believe ownership has changed hands... http://www.collegiatepeaksoutfitters.com Here's a photo of my 175 lb tom: I'll try to get more info...  |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I'd do it in a heartbeat (if I could) and behind dogs. Unfortunately, my body does not react well to high elevations (especially trying to follow dogs). Check out a bud from another forum with his:
 |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I've got no problem with hunting cats with dogs... Seems pretty appropriate when you put it that way doesn't it?
I just think that smart predators target more docile prey species... ... I'm just not a cat person! :D |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I would LOVE to hunt Mt. Lions witha bow behind dogs........there's such a feeling of chase and the scenery and even the possible danger of it.
I was watching Traditional Harvest III last night with Fred Eichler and they had 2 Colorado Mt. Lion hunts on it in the snow with dogs and it looked incredible! The terrain these guys were chasing in was unreal. There was a great segment where they found where thelion they were chasing had killed a full grown 350"+ bull elk and had drug it 40-50 yards to where he started eating it. They could see the whole scene in the snow. ever since I was a kid Mt. Lions have been one of my favorite animals and I have absolutely no mixed feelings about hunting them. I'd be there in a heartbeat. By the way Fred Eichler of Muzzy Pro-staff is or at least WAS an outfitter in Colorado and it appears that he takes clients on Lion hunts. The 2 they showed on the video were shot with a recurve and a longbow. I want to watch it again when I get home.:) |
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
I would LOVE to hunt mountain lions .... I hate cats ...lol ...They are incredibly facinating to me
|
RE: Anybody ever bowhunt mt. lions?
would love to do it!
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:34 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.