So where is the best place to hunt mt. lion in the lower 48? Also other than bait and dogs what are the best ways to hunt lion? I Have a variety of rifles, high end is a 300wsm bolt or a 45-70 lever. Other options are bolt 30-06 and 243 win, and 44mag & 30-30 levers. I also have a 44 super blackhawk, and a 357sig in a glock that I'm confident with.

This part of Idaho seems to have lots of lions over the past few years. You can hunt lots of places around here without a guide or you can get a guide with a pack of hounds.

I've had one in my back yard for two years in a row now and am seeing them more and more in the woods. Had a friend that ran across one bear hunting a couple of weeks ago, but didn't have a tag. There are pix of it here.

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=47884

Fifty-odd years ago, when I was in my teens, I read hungrily everything I could find on shooting and hunting. Someone back then (Jack O'Connor, maybe?) wrote of hunting mountain lions with dogs which treed the lions. They were shot out of the trees with a .22LR handgun (Colt Woodsman?)

Gun writers were a lot more sincere and truthful back then (or I was a little more gullible than I have become since :)), but if there was any truth in what was written, any of the weapons you mentioned are way more than enough for your purposes. And since bullet placement is far more important than the differences among those calibers, I would suggest you use whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Never even seen a big cat, myself -- I envy you your hunt.

The Old Guy

Heard of treed bears shot in with a 22 too. Shot through the lungs the bear will not feel much pain, will remain in the tree till he passes out then falling. Once conscious is lost he will not fight with or injure the dogs.

Took mine with a .41 Mag RBH.

The rancher carried a T/C Contender in .223 Rem and had accounted for a large number of lion. Must remember, a lion that has been chased by a pack of dogs has sprinted about as far as he can go - they aren't made for long distance running. He will be winded. Any lung shot is deadly.

I supose nobody on here is or would guide a cat hunt...

Seems lately to be the foothills above L.A.

As stated above,they are easy to kill if treed.

Killing one,even seeing one, over bait, is darn near impossible. Sondering thru the woods and coming upon one to shoot is simply by dumb luck. I would never set out to accomplish this.

When guiding in Maine people used to ask me why we baited bear. They'ed say,"can't you see and kill a bear simply by spot and stalk" ? If you hunt over a large blueberry field,you got a slim chance,if not,buy a lotto ticket. Same odds.

Treed(as stated)almost any firearm will do. I have also been told exactly what Marlin sez(post#4).Lots of cats have been taken with a broadhead also,with the same results.

To each their own but,I would not be interested in shooting a cat(or bear)that is held in a tree by barking dogs,and is looking down at me. -----pruhdlr

Come down to the Rim country in Arizona, they're all over the place. The best way to hunt them is to find a forest road, set the cruise on 65mph and you should get a couple. Just make sure you have a sturdy bumper.

I personally have never hunted Mt lion. I do know however that there are some great Mt lion areas in Utah.

BigSky

Dirl - sounds like you would get more elk than lion that way! :eek:

Why do you think AZ Fish and Game recommends that you apply for a Mt Lion tag When you apply for and Elk tag?

I hunt lion in Arizona east and north east of Clifton also that is where I hunt black bear. Very good place :)