Mountain Lion Recommendations?

[HankB]

I've decided to add a domestic kitty to my collection - that is, a mountain lion or puma - and would like recommendations on who to book a hunt with. I'd like something in the lower 48, preferably where I can take it with a handgun. As far as the hunt itself, I'm OK with walking, but horseback hunts wouldn't be the best for me, as I haven't sat on a horse since I was a tyke and had a pony ride at the zoo.

West Texas has mountain lions, but despite the hoax photo that's been floating around for the past year or two, they seem to average about 1/3 smaller in body size than the ones in other parts of the country.

It would be a "plus" if I had a chance at a bobcat, too, but that's not critical.

Any suggestions for a good hunt/good cat?

 

[Harve Curry]

I recommend Mike Root here in New Mexico, about 3 hours from El Paso.
It is on mules well broke to the job. Mountains are difficult to do afoot. Up and down 800 foot ridges is not unusual. Handguns are fine.
The mountains are the Black Range of the Gila, or Cuchillo's, or Caballo Mnts just east of the Rio Grande.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Hank,

I used to guide for an outfitt called Surestrike outfitters. We specialize in cats and bear. We prefer handgun hunters as most of our travel is on horses.

Richard Ley is the man to speak to, he is probably the most experienced cat hunter in the NM as he's been at it for nearly 40 years. We take many cats in the 7' + range and 8' is not unheard of. We hunt the high mountians of the Pecos wilderness in the dead of winter, the scenery and the country is spectacular....

This is the same outfitter that i set Rich Lucibella up with on his cat hunt. This is not a luxury hunt it's hard work and the cat you hunt will be well deserved.

If you want more information send me a PM.

www.huntingwesternusa.com

 

[H&Hhunter]

A real nice high country cat many more of these pictures if want to see them..

 

[Leaky Waders]

puuurrrrrrfffeeecccccttttttt

Nice Cat indeed!

 

[HankB]

H&H . . . about the nice kitty photo . . . exactly how big WAS that cat?

It's kind of hard to tell without knowing how far behind the cat the guys were standing. (Trick photography alert! )

Anyway, like I wrote, my last experience on a horse was a pony ride 'way back when I was a young'un, so a horseback hunt through the mountains probably wouldn't be the best for me. Probably would be popping Advil like candy by Day 2 of the hunt . . . assuming I didn't do something stupid like falling off.

 

[halvey]

Good luck on your hunt. Sounds like a good time.

My deer hunting/fisherman co-worker says cat hunting is not a sport because the dogs to all the work. Yeah, walking those mountains is a lot easier than sitting on a boat waiting for a fish to bite.

Good luck and post some pics!

 

[H&Hhunter]

Now Hank...

After all we've been through you oughta know better than to think I'd post a BS picture on this sight.

that cat went a shade over 8' and weighed in neighbor hood of 185lbs. A big cat no matter which way you cut it.

You can really get an idea of how big he is by how blocky his face is and how thick and massive his limbs are..


Hank we can set you up for foot, horse or we can also acomidate the less than athletic if needed....But it's never easy no matter what.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Some more big cats from my outfitt,,

This is Ashley emerson of AO sights for those of you that know him he's 6'6". Another huge cat with a hand gun...

 

[H&Hhunter]

I shot this cat about 4 years ago. I started him off of a deer kill that he had dragged under a porch. There were some summer cabins in the area that Mr. Puss and boots decided would be a great local to spend the winter..

Check the fore arms and paws and head on this massive old boy..

Northern NM grows some big cats..Lots of Elk and deer and dogs to eat..



SORRY GUYS I CAN"T SEEM TO GET THIS SIGHT DOWN LOAD PICTURES ANYMORE!!!!IT TAKKES FOREVER AND THEY TEND NOT TO COMPLETE AS IS THE CASE HERE>.....

 

[DigMe]

H&HHunter,

Try uploading your pix to the misc section of www.gunpix.com. There's no registration required. Just upload and then link it to here.

brad cook

 

[DigMe]

I think you're right about the lions being smaller in West Texas. However, here's a good sized one that was taken on my friend's ranch (Livermore Ranch) in the Davis Mountains outside of Marfa/Ft. Davis/Alpine.

It's a pretty good sized one judging from the front of him although it's hard to tell in the picture without any physical reference aside from the antlers next to it. They had a smaller one over their fireplace and numerous mountain lion rugs that were pretty good sized. There's a guy in that part of the state who's famous around there for hunting them and basically that's his job. Either his first or last name is Henry. Anyway...that's all.

brad cook

 

[HankB]

H&H . . . hey, I didn't say it was a BS picture, like something that's been Photoshopped or something (I've got a funny story about that myself . . . I'll post it sometime. ) it's just that when the critter is in the foreground, and the guys are standing in back, the foreground tends to look a might, shall we say, "enhanced" by comparison.

8' is a nice cat.

Really nice.

Anyway, I'll probably contact your buddy . . . thanks for the lead.

 

[H&Hhunter]

H&H . . . hey, I didn't say it was a BS picture, like something that's been Photoshopped or something (I've got a funny story about that myself . . . I'll post it sometime.

Hank,

I was speaking tounge in cheek.. No hard feelings . Whomever you choose good luck and good hunting.

H&H