Cougars -- On Public Land in Colorado?

22 February 2002, 16:34

Russell E. Taylor

I thought I might first try my cougar-hunting luck with Colorado, to which I can drive, versus Washington, to which I'd have to fly.

I have some information on the way from the state of Colorado, but any input you guys could provide would be appreciated. I'd even consider paying a "humble" trespass fee if it would up my odds of hitting hot tracks... but I'd like to go as cheap as possible, and I guess that means public lands.

Thoughts and help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Russ

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"Out here, 'due process' is a bullet!" -- John Wayne, "The Green Berets"

22 February 2002, 20:14

Matt Norman

Russ, are you taking your own dogs with you? Give a few more details as to what you have in mind.

While it's certainly possible to cut a set of tracks, successfully following them up on foot in snow in that terrain is very difficult. Unless you have a lot of time to commit and are in very good shape, you might be going for a long drive followed by a long walk looking at a lot of trees and rocks.

In the 16 years I spent living in Wyoming, spending considerable time in some decent mountain lion country, I never saw a live mountain lion. I never personally knew anyone that successfully hunted one without dogs either.

Were I wanting to hunt mountail lion, I'd spend the bucks to go with a reputable guide.

22 February 2002, 20:55

Russell E. Taylor

No dogs, just calling with a Wildlife Technologies caller.

Russ

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"Out here, 'due process' is a bullet!" -- John Wayne, "The Green Berets"

23 February 2002, 09:27

RMK

Go as cheap as possible,since without dogs,your chances of killing a lion are going to be slim to none. If you look around,chances are you could get a guided lion hunt with hounds for as much as it would cost you to go by yourself. Alot of times these hunts get canceled and they need another back up client at reduced price. With the way snow has been this year,I'm sure you'd be able to find a reduced price hunt.

23 February 2002, 19:31

<Infidel>

quote:
Originally posted by Russell E. Taylor:
....I have some information on the way from the state of Colorado, ....
Thoughts ... will be appreciated.

Look at the game management units where you can get two tags,-- they have the most cats.

Forget the mules. In the territory where I have seen cat sign (in those GMUs), mules probably won't make it and horses for sure won't. Steep, lots of deadfalls.

Try to talk to the Rangers in the particular areas where you are thinking of hunting.

If you hunt the way that you say that you want to hunt them, then you are going to have to be (1) good, and (2) lucky.

Good luck.