I have a question regarding hunting mountain lion.

I would like to give it a try in Idaho. Debating if I want to try lion or bear first as an out of state hunter in Idaho.

Looks like running hounds is the method of choice for hunting cats. If I dont want to haul my hounds out there, what other choice is available to me in terms of method ? Im not real hot on the idea of hiring an outfitter.

Would anyone care to share any advice or tips on hunting mt lion. Looking to try hunting something new and different as a change of pace.

In the spring when the bears are coming out of hibernation and feeding on the slopes of the river canyons just driving those is productive. Drive the upper North Fork of the Clearwater River in the spring. I'll give you maps if you do consider this.

Cat hunting on the other hand is best done with hounds and a guided hunt. They are much more reticent critters than bears. One good thing is there seems to be an abundant population of both in the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon river drainages. Hunting the Clearwater drainage is by the far the easiest of the three.

Be glad to discuss the where's, whens, and anything else by PM or phone if you like. I was born here in this area and have hunted it all my life. I know several folks that can set you up with a guided cat or bear hunt, like everything else it just depends on your budget and what kind of hunting you like to do.

The downside of hunting a spring bear is the meat and hide is usually not as good as a fall bear. We also have a problem with our wolf infestation being exceptionally hard on hound hunters and they have killed off a lot of hound packs in this part of Idaho.

Here's some pix of the country I'm talking about. You'll often find them feeding on the open slopes shown in the first pix.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Around%20Home/3-28-05TriptoNorthFork083.jpg

Lolo Creek

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Around%20Home/triptololocreek07-03.jpg

Here's a small bear cub up the road from me about 4 miles up the New Merose grade.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Animals/BearonMelrose1.jpg

Here's a cougar a couple of friends ran across bear hunting last spring. In the top pix the same fella had one run up from the river pictured and he ran over it with his Suzuki Samari. It didn't seem to phase the cat and it continued up the mountain side.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Guns/IMG_1616.jpg

Thanks for responding faucettb.
I will take your offer up on a PM.

Hunting lions with dogs is the only reasonable way. I can recommend Darl Allred of Sawtooth Wilderness Outfitters out of Garden Valley, Idaho.
Utah is another location where I've been successful on lion hunts. There, I can recommend Shawn Labrum of Uinta Guide Service, out of Roosevelt Utah.

Thanks Ken
I'll keep it in mind.
Looks like I wont be going this year for bear or mt lion now with how work is looking. Lots of time on my hands but no work hours.
I didnt draw a bear kill tag this year so looks like MN this fall seeing how I am so close to the border.
I really wanted to go after a mountain lion, but.......next year again I guess.

I have a question regarding hunting mountain lion.

I would like to give it a try in Idaho. Debating if I want to try lion or bear first as an out of state hunter in Idaho.

Looks like running hounds is the method of choice for hunting cats. If I dont want to haul my hounds out there, what other choice is available to me in terms of method ? Im not real hot on the idea of hiring an outfitter.

Would anyone care to share any advice or tips on hunting mt lion. Looking to try hunting something new and different as a change of pace. A friend of ours living in MT hired a guide and his hounds to go Mtn Lion hunting ,he was successful ,he offered the guide & crew some mtn lion flesh but they refused.I read an artcle that it looks like pork & tastes similar to pork,our friends ate the mtn lion enjoying it .

Gave mine to the Mexican vaquaros working on the ranch where I shot it. Decided I'm not into eating cats just yet! :eek:

Bob,

I love those pictures again!

Now I know where I want to go this summer. My wife and I have planned going west this summer for a vacation and now I want to be where those pictures were taken. Mapquest won't show me the creeks you mentioned, I just looked to see where you home was.

Thanks,

Terry

Southeastern Utah also has a lot of both cats and black bears. Down in the 4-corners area, I could probably get you a few names of guides that have excellent success with dogs on the cats.