Mt Lion hunting questions

[Izzy]

To any of you who have ever hunted them with dogs what would you say was the piece of equipment you couldnt have done without or wish you had brougt.Im leaving to Utah on 01/13/08 and am getting my lastminute preparations together now.Any other advice would be appreciated as well.Ill be shooting my Zipper recurve most likely but its possible I might take my Griffin 1 piece.I jog about 20 miles of hills a week even though its only at basically sea level, buts its the best I can do.Thanks and Happy Thanks Giving.
                            Izzy

[Tradesmen4]

a good recipe for mountain lion. Enjoy your hunt and climb slow so you don't get a headache. Or other symptoms of attitude sickness. Gaitors and bibs for what ever your riding while trying to cut a track. Good Luck

[Walt Francis]

I second the bibs if you will be using a snowmobile; bring gaiters regardless of the mode of transportation.  

Bring a Trekking or Ski Pole for help negotiating the steep hills.  

I use a one piece selfbow but a takedown would make it a lot easier (I keep telling myself to make a takedown but always end up donating or giving them away     ).  

Lot's of water but watch out for the line freezing if you use a bladder system.  

You might want to email Robin (Roughcountry) and ask him for suggestions: He has more experience running cats then anybody I know of.

[Stone Knife]

Izzy, I can't help you out in this department except to say , enjoy yourself and good luck with the hunt. I'll be looking forward to the post hunt thread right here on Trad Gang.

[IndianaBowman]

Best of luck Herkimer.

[Brian Krebs]

I don't believe it would hurt one bit if you went to the taxidermist your going to use; and see what pose you want on the lion; and then some tips on skinning it properly.

 Other than cold weather gear; and a good attitude - sounds like your ready for the challenge.

 Good luck - and tradesman4 is not joking; lion meat is the best meat in the woods.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Izzy; Sounds like you are pretty well ready. The exercise is good. It will take about 2-3 days for your blood to change to handle the less oxygen at the higher elevations. The other tradgang suggestion are great, would also advise not to wear jaen as they bind terribly as you are climbing and this taxs your legs and endurance even more. You may chuckle at this next suggestion, "wear panty hose under your pants" makes them slide instead of binding, same as horse back riding to prevent saddle burns. And no comments from the rest of ya :)javascript:void(0)

[dnovo]

If you will be on a fourwheeler make sure you have something that blocks the wind with a windshear lining. I wore face mask also, heavy boots that I changed when it came time to run a track. Mostly same gear you hunt with. A good backpack but one that is not oversized. Lots of luck. It was one of the best hunts of my life.

[Roughcountry]

You've got good advice here. Those bibs you can slip into when on a sled is great.

I try to layer so I can peel when trying to stay with the race. A hat that you can stuff in a pack/pocket if you overheat is handy. If the trees have fresh snow on them wear something that it won't melt on and get you wet. Wool is king if the temps are cold enough for it.
If you start to sweat be real carefull, when you stop you can chill bad.

Workout on some stairs with a loaded pack, might help a little. Your gonna like hound music, luck to you and let us know about your hunt.

[Izzy]

My taxidermists father got one last year so we discussed forms quite a bit.Either panty hose or Ill dig out me tiger striped spandex from the mid eighties(HEY DONT LAUGH I BET YOU WANTED TO BE DAVID LEE ROTH TOO!)Ive heard it makes a big difference.And Ive heard that the meat is veal like.I also got a smoking recipe from a TBH back issue.Ill be toting Filson and Cabelas Berber with windshear so the riding shouldnt be an issue.I wear microtex on most of my hunts which blocks some wind and is light and dries fast.Keep it coming buds and Woodchucker, if you see this post do a long distance snow dance.Thanks Fellas.
                             Izzy

[the Ferret]

Camera. You can never take too many pics of an adventure like lion hunting and you will want pics of the cat in the tree. The first time you stare into those eyes i can guarantee you will feel something stirring in your soul.

[San Juan Slim]

Izzy,

Sounds like you're already planning your clothing well.  But, make sure you wear layers that can be taken off or put on easily.  It can be substantially below zero in the morning and you'll be sweating by noon chasing those hounds.  Then, by the time you have that cat skinned and in the bag it will be very cold again.  I like wool.  You don't need camo, but a nice plaid shirt or a camo jacket will look nice in the pictures.  Also, most outfitters have a small tape measure, but bring one just in case.  Make sure to ask the taxidermist what measurements he will want.  You want to make sure he makes the form fit the lion and not the lion fit the form.  In otherwords, you want to make sure your trophy comes out the right size.  Make sure if you take pictures in the snow to move your lion to an area with fresh untracked and unbloody snow.  Then the pix you post here will look great.  Finally, make sure you stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of water before, during and after the hunt.  Even in cold weather, you will dry out fast and the water will help combat any altitude related problems you may encounter.  Have fun!

Mike

[Jack Shanks]

If I ever do another lion hunt I would definitely have a easy to assemble two piece T/D. I would want to be able to carry the bow along with the arrows in some type of sleeve slung over my back. You will want both hands free for climbing holds or the use of treking poles.

 It takes me a long time to actually act on something but I have suffered through my last backpack and horseback hunt with a full sized bow.
As soon as I got back from my Alaskan sheep hunt this year I put in a deposit on a two piece longbow.

[Jack Shanks]

If you haven't read it already, here is Walt's story to get you going.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=040351#000000

[tomh]

thanks for posting the thread on Walt's hunt. That was awesome.

[Nate Steen .]

My .02 worth from hunting them out here in Idaho,

The running is great for getting your lungs in shape,  but if you're a flatlander, I would seriously recommend hiking up multiple flights of stairs or bleachers with a weighted pack.  Do this as much as you can.  Your lungs can only do so much if your legs give out.  We see way too many eastern hunters out here who can breath but can't move their legs when the chase really gets going.

Also, for getting your blood acclimated to the higher elevation,  drink some baking soda in water starting the day before you hunt and every morning of the hunt.  This helps your blood carry the oxygen better to your muscles in the higher altitude.

It's a shame for a hunter to spend the dollars on a mountain hunt and not be fully prepared in his body for the rigors of a cat chase.