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Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
Wed Aug 29, 2012, 09:30 AM Aug 2012

Strange question. Anyone here familiar with hunting/tracking Mountain Lions?

I started this project yesterday with my camera. l live in a State that denies they exist and a friend of mine, while jogging, ran into a female with cubs. I want to get some pics and I wanted to know if anyone might have some insight or experience with this.
I am not unfamiliar with tracking and such and I have a pretty good understanding of their behavior but I don't know everything. I went out yesterday for the first time to get a feel for the trail area.

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Strange question. Anyone here familiar with hunting/tracking Mountain Lions? (Original Post) Bonhomme Richard Aug 2012 OP
I'm not - sadly, I've never seen one - but my suggestion would be to try petronius Aug 2012 #1
Not ranging far is what I figured. Bonhomme Richard Aug 2012 #2
Is lion hunting legal in your neck of the woods? gejohnston Aug 2012 #3
Not at all.I am hunting with a camera. Bonhomme Richard Aug 2012 #4
I gathered you were using a camera, but gejohnston Aug 2012 #5
The thing is that the state won't admit that they are here in CT. Bonhomme Richard Aug 2012 #6
I see, I was thinking you were in a western state. gejohnston Aug 2012 #7
Dogs are the correct way to track them. former-republican Sep 2012 #8
I thought about dogs and.... Bonhomme Richard Sep 2012 #9
If you're tying to get them to come to you former-republican Sep 2012 #10
Yeah, my back will be protected as.... Bonhomme Richard Sep 2012 #11
They are very territorial former-republican Sep 2012 #12
Spam deleted by CaliforniaPeggy (MIR Team) rqsulfates Sep 2012 #13
if you believe them to be in your area, a tethered goat and trail cams could be the way loli phabay Sep 2012 #14
I've been out a half dozen times now and..... Bonhomme Richard Sep 2012 #15

petronius

(26,603 posts)
1. I'm not - sadly, I've never seen one - but my suggestion would be to try
Wed Aug 29, 2012, 11:49 AM
Aug 2012

and get a hold of a trail camera or two. If there are cubs, the family is probably not ranging too far, and a remote camera along a game trail or near water might be luckier than you just hunting around with a camera...

Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
2. Not ranging far is what I figured.
Wed Aug 29, 2012, 12:58 PM
Aug 2012

From my scouting yesterday there seems to be plenty of food and cover with overlooks. It's no good putting a trail camera unless I know what is used regularly. Thanks for your input, kind of an odd subject.
I was thinking, if I actually got the shots I would probably have to keep them to myself. If I used them to prove they exist then I would probably be signing their death warrant.
I'll poke around a bit for a while.

Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
6. The thing is that the state won't admit that they are here in CT.
Wed Aug 29, 2012, 07:17 PM
Aug 2012

Even though one was hit by a car down by the coast. I think if someone had definitive proof, especially that they were breeding, the state would have to admit they are here. I imagine the uproar from worried parents would cause the state to try to eliminate them.
That's what I meant by death warrant.

gejohnston

(17,502 posts)
7. I see, I was thinking you were in a western state.
Wed Aug 29, 2012, 07:32 PM
Aug 2012

I'll have to read up on them and their range. I saw one in the wild growing up in Wyoming, at a distance. It is entirely possible that the state doesn't want to admit they are there simply because they don't want freaked out suburbanites demanding game wardens go on search and destroy missions.

 

former-republican

(2,163 posts)
8. Dogs are the correct way to track them.
Tue Sep 4, 2012, 02:10 AM
Sep 2012

It's really the only way to track big cats.
Forget about any other way.
What part of CT does your friend thinks he saw one?

Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
9. I thought about dogs and....
Tue Sep 4, 2012, 09:43 AM
Sep 2012

I have two large ones that would love nothing better than going out with me. If it was just the cat I would do that and let them tree it but there are cubs and I don't want my dogs getting between mom and cubs. Nor do I want to risk my dogs harming the cubs. No good can come from that scenario.
Mountain lions are very territorial and I think I will attempt to call her to me rather than traipsing around in the woods. The habitat that she is in is small so, theoretically, I should get her attention.
I prefer not to give out the location at this point and I have no doubt he saw one because he described it and the cubs to a tee. He is also very credible, fireman, EMT, etc.. Not one to make rash judgements. Whether or not she is still in the immediate area...that's another question but from my observations there is a lot of food (deer, turkeys, etc) and very good rock ledge cover and cubs so I think she will remain static for a while.

 

former-republican

(2,163 posts)
10. If you're tying to get them to come to you
Tue Sep 4, 2012, 11:25 AM
Sep 2012

you can try a distressed electronic fawn call.
Be careful and watch your six when trying to call in a big cat
You will be doing this when the sun is going down or before dawn.
That is when they hunt. I personaly wouldn't think of doing this without a firearm.

Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
11. Yeah, my back will be protected as....
Tue Sep 4, 2012, 03:56 PM
Sep 2012

that is how they attack.
I am debating with myself whether or not to bring a handgun. I really do not want to bring any harm to the cat as I am the one infringing but.......?
I thought I would use a recording of another cat because they are territorial and use her curiosity. I didn't think to call her in to eat, LOL.

 

former-republican

(2,163 posts)
12. They are very territorial
Tue Sep 4, 2012, 04:47 PM
Sep 2012

either way she won't be coming in only for curiosity. It will be to protect her cubs.
Other males will kill cubs to establish a territory.

Using a recording of a cougar scream will send chills up someones spine that might be hiking through.
It's like nothing you ever heard before.

and yea bring your handgun just in case

good luck

Bonhomme Richard

(9,000 posts)
15. I've been out a half dozen times now and.....
Tue Sep 11, 2012, 10:28 PM
Sep 2012

haven't seen or heard a thing. Tried calling it in, etc. I'll give it one more shot at it but I think its moved on. The area around here is good habitat but it is a large area to try and cover.

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