View Full Version : Lion hunting
I've called and shot coyotes for most of my life, but have never hunted the top predator. Anybody here have any experience hunting lion? I know the "easy" way is to run them with dogs then shoot them out of a tree like a coon. But is that really "hunting"?
Hunting something that's a better hunter than you, and that can eat your ass? I'll pass, but good luck to ya!
OK, let me rephrase the question. How many have taken a predator trifecta (fox, coyote, babcat). And how many have taken the predator Grand Slam (trifecta + lion)?
SideShow Bob
08-13-2011, 16:11
Hope you are talking about mountain lion, there aren't many African lions in the wild around here.
trout_champ
08-13-2011, 20:48
I have never hunted any predator let alone a lion. I did run into a guy hunting mountain lions when I was fishing one day though. He was doing it just like you said with dogs and I agree that is not very sporting. I have even begun thinking hunting with my rifle is not very sporting compared to archery.
Randy
mcantar18c
08-13-2011, 21:34
I've killed one lion, but it was purely by chance and a "moment of opportunity." The buddy I got the gun I used from killed one with it too, but his kill was also opportunity/self defense. I suppose if you're a really good tracker or have something to call it in with and are good with it, you could do it that way.
Colorado Luckydog
08-13-2011, 22:16
I've killed one lion, but it was purely by chance and a "moment of opportunity." The buddy I got the gun I used from killed one with it too, but his kill was also opportunity/self defense. I suppose if you're a really good tracker or have something to call it in with and are good with it, you could do it that way.
I'm calling BS! I want to see pics or it didn't happen. BS. BS. BS. Lets see some pics. If you or you're friend killed a mountain lion in self defense or while hunting, there are some pics. If you're friend killed a mountain lion in self defense, there is a news story on it. Lets see it. If I'm wrong, I'll eat a barbecue mountain lion. If you killed a mountain lion you would have pics. But I bet you can't produce pics or proof that the killer of said lion is you're friend and that you killed one too. I may be wrong but just saying......
If I'm wrong and I have to eat a mountain lion, that's going to really suck!![ROFL1]
mcantar18c
08-13-2011, 22:28
I'm calling BS! I want to see pics or it didn't happen. BS. BS. BS. Lets see some pics. If you or you're friend killed a mountain lion in self defense or while hunting, there are some pics. If you're friend killed a mountain lion in self defense, there is a news story on it. Lets see it. If I'm wrong, I'll eat a barbecue mountain lion. If you killed a mountain lion you would have pics. But I bet you can't produce pics or proof that the killer of said lion is you're friend and that you killed one too. I may be wrong but just saying......
If I'm wrong and I have to eat a mountain lion, that's going to really suck!![ROFL1]
I didn't take pics of mine because I'm pretty sure it was an illegal kill as it wasn't in self defense and I didn't have a tag for it... I won't take pictures of something I kill, two or four legged, if its evidence that could get me in trouble lol. Just like I won't have a buddy stand by and video tape a street fight. Just common sense.
As for my buddy... I'll ask him right now. When I bought the gun from him he told me the story. Said he was camping, went out of the tent to take a piss at like 3am and there was a lion there, so he shot it. I wasn't there and don't know if its true or not, but I've never known him to BS a story. I'll ask him about it.
Side note... are mtn lions not OK to eat? Never considered it.
mcantar18c
08-13-2011, 23:41
Fixed link
All I got to say is, DAMN!!!0CNgwZgoKFc
You beat me to it. Thanks.
That's like saying that if you get into a car accident or a street fight that there would be pictures and a news story.
Side note... are mtn lions not OK to eat? Never considered it.
Cat, the other white meat!
trout_champ
08-14-2011, 00:53
Butt hole pucker factor + 1,000,000,000 on that vid.
Randy
I don't hunt lions but I do wrestle them to the death. Im still typing this so you know who won.
ridgewalker
08-14-2011, 06:50
I've called in coyote, gray fox, red fox, raccoon, bobcat, turkey, deer, elk, hawks, and owls. I have seen mtn lion tracks within 10 yards of where I was sitting alone calling coyotes near Kremmling. But I never called in a mtn lion on purpose. Never had a license to do it.
Sorry, no pictures. Sold most of the skins back before digital cameras to Jonas Bros in Denver when a coyote skin would go for $50-60. I made $300 the best weekend I hunted.
I plan to hunt behind dogs either this winter or next (if I can keep up!). I may try to call one in before then in area 20. I use to live a mile west of Boulder and have seen 3 or 4 including one up close and personal (10 yards) hunting a heard of deer in my yard. Pretty exciting! One walked within 5' of my wife while she was sitting on our patio. Needless to say she was excited.[ROFL2]
P.S. I have eaten a young bobcat and it was delicious. Much like veal with fine grain.
Other than tracking with dogs, the only other way to hunt mountain lion in Colorado is to call them in with hand calls. This method works well, but it is extremely dangerous to do it this way. A much safer way would be to use an electronic caller, which can be placed a short distance away from the shooter. MUCH better than having the lion charge at your face! Unfortunately, CDOW does not currently allow E-callers for lion hunting.
cornstalker
08-15-2011, 19:15
I am new here and have only lurked a little to this point, but this caught my attention.
NASA is right. The only other way to get a mountain lion without dogs, walking them down, or sheer luck, is to call. Electronic calls would be much safer and allow the hunter more time to evaluate the age and sex of the cat.
On September 15, at the Commission meeting in Colorado Springs, the Wildlife Commissioners will be presented with a petition requesting that electronic calls be made legal for the purpose of hunting mountain lions.
If any on here wish to act in support of this, let me know and I'll tell you how you can help. (I won't ask you for any money...)
ridgewalker
08-15-2011, 20:42
Cornstalker, I would love to be able to use my Foxpro to call mtn lion, bear, deer, elk, etc. What can I do to help? Unfortunately I probably am not able to go to Colorado Springs for the meeting. I live in Longmont.
Thanks!
cornstalker
08-15-2011, 21:52
We have not targeted deer, elk, or bear with the petition. If this goes through it may open a door to get bear done too. Don't know if they would go for deer and elk. Our specific focus has been Mountain Lion.
I'll post the "Citizen Proposed Issue Paper" up so y'all can read it. If you can't make the meeting you can email a letter or statement with your first and last name and town/state of residence and email it to:
co.lion@hotmail.com
(no attachments please)
We will print and share the letters with the commissioners at the meeting.
There is an effort to get an online petition going, but it's not a done deal yet.
Hope this helps.
CITIZEN-PROPOSED ISSUE PAPER
Date: 01/13/2011
ISSUE: Currently, the mountain lion is classified as a big game animal, and according to regulations WCR #004.A.3.a (and b), the use of an electronic call to harvest one is prohibited. We believe this provision to be unnecessarily restrictive, and see benefit in allowing the use of electronic calls for hunting them.
ARTICLE IV - MANNER OF TAKING WILDLIFE
#004 -
A. Aids Used in Taking Big Game, Small Game and Furbearers - Except as expressly authorized by these regulations, the use of baits and other aids in taking big game, small game and furbearers is prohibited.
3. Other Aids
a. Mechanical calls may be used to take all species of wildlife during established seasons.
b. Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, electronic calls may be used as an aid in taking furbearers only.
DISCUSSION (FACTS AND FIGURES, EXPLANATION OF ISSUE):
It is well known that mountain lions are very secretive and elusive animals. In regards to hunting them, it is widely accepted that there is almost no chance to harvest one without the use of dogs. Even the studies conducted by State and Federal wildlife agencies employ hounds men as the primary method of locating, capturing and collaring cats for their research. Outside of sheer luck, it appears that the only other method that has some limited chance of success is calling. Although calling does not improve the hunters odds to anywhere near those of hound hunters, it may be the only other way to draw a cat out of cover long enough to harvest it.
Calling is not without risk however. A mountain lion will not likely attack a human under normal circumstances, but when the human is well concealed and making the same sounds that an easy meal or a rival cat makes, all bets are off. And when the hunter is using a hand-held mouth call, he or she is inviting the cat right into their lap. This puts the hunter in an almost indefensible and hazardous situation, even more so when the lion stalks in from behind.
From a safety standpoint, the use of an electronic call makes a lot of sense for lion hunting without a pack of hunting dogs. It diverts the focus of the large predator a specific distance away from the hunter, instead of having the lion zero directly in on the person. Yet due to the extremely low call-in ratio documented by highly experienced lion callers, this device does not provide the hunter with an unfair advantage.
Pursuant to this crucial safety issue, we would ask you to consider revising the regulations to allow the use of electronic calls for hunting mountain lions.
The use of electronic calls would also allow the hunter more time to observe the animal before deciding whether to harvest it. This would certainly improve the opportunity to evaluate maturity and/or sex of the animal over the use of a hand call, where the lion’s focus is directed on the hunter. This ability to observe undetected for a few moments will allow the opportunity to pass up a female lion if the hunter desires.
WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE? HAVE YOU COMMUNICATED WITH ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES? WHAT INPUT HAVE YOU RECEIVED?
A large number of hunters, both resident and non-resident have shown interest in this notion. They will share input and support for it at the Commission meeting. Conversations with trappers and lion guides did not produce any strong objection, or feelings of encroachment into an "exclusive" domain.
ALTERNATIVES: PLEASE INDICATE THE PROBABLE OUTCOME IF THIS PETITION IS ACCEPTED, AS WELL AS THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVES TO THIS PETITION:
Probable outcome if accepted:
Initially there is the possibility of a small increase in lion harvests simply due to the increase in the amount of hunters willing to try hunting them. Based on input from highly experienced lion callers who use electronic calls in Arizona and Washington, it is not likely to see a significant or lasting increase in hunter success. In fact, incidental lion sightings reported by hunters legally using electronic calls for other predators are infrequent to rare. The current unit quota system is adequate to prevent exceeding harvest objectives.
There would almost certainly be an increase in revenue due to increased license sales, both resident and non-resident.
Electronic calls would offer a somewhat effective management tool for areas where running dogs is not practical due to development, if targeted culling were needed.
Impact of alternative to this proposal:
The popularity of predator calling is increasing exponentially nationwide and the Cougar has become the ultimate trophy for those dedicated to the sport of predator calling. As such, it's something that can become a passion for the predator caller. The restriction of "mechanical calls only" heightens the potential for an attack on a human.
Thank you for your consideration of this issue, as it makes lion calling safer.
PETITION PROPOSED BY: A collective of sportsmen
PETITION WRITTEN BY: xxxxxxx with the help of many of the sportsmen mentioned above.
DATE SENT TO THE COMMISSION: 7/21/2011
Chuck Norris makes his own cat calls, hunts um blind folded and bare handed..........OOPS. wrong thread
Finally someone is doing something FOR the hunters in this State. All I ever hear about is some bunnyhugger group trying to STOP hunting. I remember a couple years ago they tried to outlaw shooting prairie dogs.
Count me in as willing to help![Alrigh]
So Cornstalker, how long have you been calling lions? Got any stories to tell?
cornstalker
08-16-2011, 19:04
Only a couple of years now. Haven't done any good yet so no cool stories to tell....
race4hills
08-16-2011, 19:22
Here's a link to the petition.....
http://predatorcallercentral.com/
Click on Colorado E-caller petition in the right hand column.
race4hills
08-16-2011, 19:23
Finally someone is doing something FOR the hunters in this State. All I ever hear about is some bunnyhugger group trying to STOP hunting. I remember a couple years ago they tried to outlaw shooting prairie dogs.
Count me in as willing to help![Alrigh]
So Cornstalker, how long have you been calling lions? Got any stories to tell?
Hi NASA! how have you been?
Lyle, whut up! I think being able to use an e-caller will allow more people to try a very risky form of hunting, with a new safety margin. Like has been said, "Them suckers can EAT YA!" Calling and killing a lion takes a LOT more balls than just shooting one over a pack of dogs, LOL!
p.s.- Thanks for posting the link for signing the petition. I hope everyone signs it and comes to the hearing in COSPGS. See you there!
Thanks for putting that together. I really think electronic calls should be allowed. A lot of people can't afford to pay for dogs to tree a cat. plus electronic calling seems more sporting that waiting for dogs to get on a cat, tree it and you take target practice on it.
This is kinda on topic...
Years ago I remember seeing/reading a story on the Internet about a pretty big (really big!) cat taken in the San Juans; I think the story was on some hunting expedition/outfitters pages.
Anyway, I've been unable to relocate it, and the pictures changed my impressions of mountain lions greatly. (It was one big lion). Anyone?
race4hills
08-25-2011, 20:32
Thank's Tom for signing the petition, and anyone else that has signed it!!!
I hope that anyone that thinks it's a good ideal to allow e-callers for calling mountain loins would sign this petition. It's a good thing to be pro-active instead of being re-active for a change when dealing with the DOW and game laws. Anyone that can make the meeting in Colorado Springs would be a big help. NASA and Claimbuster can tell you what a impression that it makes at a DOW meeting when the hunters show up. We were told by many DOW officers that they were glad that we came, and most times that they have a lot of anti-hunters show, but only a few or none of the hunters there....
Here's a direct link to the petition. http://predatorcallercentral.com/petition-form.html
Thank's for reading this!
Lyle
claimbuster
08-25-2011, 23:01
I signed it!
What are the prizes going to be?
mcantar18c
08-26-2011, 00:04
Signed!
sscoyote
08-26-2011, 12:26
Had 1 run right across the road in front of us off Hiway 9 just north of Tallahassee road couple weeks ago coming back from bowfishing 11-Miles (as my Filipina wife likes to call it). Only 1 i've ever seen in CO in 30 years here. There are some outfitting services though. I'm not sure if the populations high enough just to go ouit and try to call one in, though i know it can be done. We get a bobcat or two every couple years calling coyotes. Got 1 this past season in fact.
race4hills
08-26-2011, 18:12
I signed it!
What are the prizes going to be?
Thank's CB!!!
Chad is going to be mad if I let the cat out of the bag, but, NASA's ex-gf
Nicole Rosmarino is one of them. [Peep]
cornstalker
08-26-2011, 18:40
You've spoiled it....
I have two friends that have killed lions and one of them I was actually on the hunt when he killed.
Both were by guides of the Piney Valley Ranch out west of Vail. They always use dogs and snowmobiles after finding tracks to find and tree the animal. I'd say there's not a whole lot of sport in it, but I definitely wouldn't want to be calling one.
I did get to try one of the cats as well. We made Mountain Lion chili a few years back for a Super Bowl Sunday and it pretty much tasted like pork only a little bit firmer. It was white meat and if I didn't know it was lion I would have guessed it was pork.
cornstalker
09-06-2011, 22:00
Okay boys (and girls), the time and place are set. I still think attendance is a key factor to success...
September 15,2011
Slated for 11:05 AM
Doubletree Hotel
1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
I suppose we'll let the online petition run through the end of the week. I really need some letters from individuals to submit.
Let's get this thing done.
I'd sure rather ask for what we want than fight to stop it from being taken away. Please help however you can...
cornstalker
09-12-2011, 21:46
Well guys, the time is at hand.
The online petition will close for new signatures 9 PM Central time on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.
We will accept letters up to the evening of September 14,2011 at:
co.lion@hotmail.com
The meeting will take place on September 15,2011 in Colorado Springs. Our presentation is scheduled for 11:05 AM, but Brett Ackerman, (the Regs Coordinator who has been so helpful), said to allow an hour variance either way in case the meeting is ahead of or behind schedule. He also mentioned that folks can come and go as they please so they are not stuck there all day for a 20 minute segment.
Side note:
The Commission will be making a final decision regarding the adoption of a proposed modification to current unit quota limits. In all it appears the proposal would increase the limit from 592 to 618 lions statewide.
It would be great if I could get a feel for who is going to be there. Please email me at the address above to let me know if you are coming. We can plan a time to meet.
Here is a link to the web page with all of the info on the meeting. It includes the address, agenda, and links to supporting documents for topics of discussion.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/ParksWildlifeCommission/Archives/2011/Pages/Sept152011.aspx
I guess it’s time to put up or shut up. Please pitch in however you can if you want to see this passed.
Thanks for the help.
DD977GM2
09-15-2011, 00:47
I don't hunt lions but I do wrestle them to the death. Im still typing this so you know who won.
Great dexterity from the lion without opposable thumbs typing that out [ROFL1][LOL]
cornstalker
09-15-2011, 18:07
Well, we made it out of the first round. It was close though...
The commissioners were split right down the middle, the chairman broke the tie in our favor.
I'll find out next week what we need to do to prepare for round two.
This was an eye opener, and I feel like we just squeaked by this round. We will have to hit it with renewed vigor to take the next round.
Thanks for all of the letters and support on the petition to all who pitched in....
Well, we made it out of the first round. It was close though...
The commissioners were split right down the middle, the chairman broke the tie in our favor.
I'll find out next week what we need to do to prepare for round two.
This was an eye opener, and I feel like we just squeaked by this round. We will have to hit it with renewed vigor to take the next round.
Thanks for all of the letters and support on the petition to all who pitched in....
What is the opposition to electronic calls used for hunting lions? I would think the safety factor alone would out-weigh any opposing reason.
cornstalker
09-16-2011, 08:08
What is the opposition to electronic calls used for hunting lions? I would think the safety factor alone would out-weigh any opposing reason.
The Commission laughed the safety factor out of the building.
The concerns are the ethics in regards to fair chase and controlling excessive female harvest.
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