The Allure of Lions

Towering snow ghosts guarded the entrance of the canyon, where in the distance the first hound's musical howls were fading in the timber. This dog's excited chant had broken the early morning silence and pushed the lion deep into the canyon hollows. We would soon release the second hound and follow on foot, trying to traverse the jagged rocks that were now hidden by heavy winter snows.

This was my first hunt for mountain lions. We had cut a fresh track in the pre-dawn, which quickly warmed our bodies and flamed our expectations. The snowy mountain road showed the direction and pattern of the track, which indicated the cat may have a kill somewhere along the lower mountain stream and was going up onto the mountainside to bed. The beauty of this mountain valley was seen at every corner, from the frozen sculptured fountains that were once free flowing streams, to the sky scrapping pines struggling to remain upright under the weight of the mountain's white coat. This hunt would create memories like no other, memories of the beautiful creature we would pursue and of nature's elements in which we would endure.

Releasing the second hound, Mitch's face seemed to glow with a "father like" pride as his well trained dog quickly took foot on the lion trail. The weeks and months of training were now worth the effort as the two dogs were now joined in an orchestrated chant, hot on the trail of our feline. We geared up with backpacks and bows and tried to keep them within earshot, but the deep snows and steep terrain slowed our progress, allowing the dogs to get well ahead. The only way to trail the hounds now was to follow their tracks. At one point as I belly crawled under a tangle of pines and deadfall branches trying to protect my scrapped arms and bruised shins, I recalled the many instances to which people had referred to hunting lions with hounds as "unsportsmanlike". In this thick timbered steep terrain, deep snow and thin air, I would challenge any of them to the task of tracking these sly and cunning creatures. This is a physically tough hunt, and with the roller coaster of emotions can be very mentally straining as well.

Our long and quiet pursuit was finally interrupted by the soft sound of the baying hounds in the distance. The dogs had treed the lion! We hurried down the boxed canyon to where the dogs' bays echoed and knew it was now less than 100 yards to our quarry.

The anticipation was almost unbearable. My pulse raced with excitement, for I would soon witness this mysterious animal that I have only before seen in pictures or caged displays.

When we reached the stand of trees, the older (first) dog had perched himself at the base of a sixty foot pine. His relentless baying howls held the lion's attention enabling us to circle for a better look. There, lying comfortably on the high pine branches was the treasure at the end of this mountain rainbow. This was an unbelievable animal. The facial markings of black, tan and white coupled with the black tipped tail and white under belly made her a dynamic example of the species. This is what I had waited for. The excitement of watching a wild and dangerous animal only a stones throw away was exhilarating.

After video taping her for several minutes and snapping countless pictures, I grabbed my bow, nocked an arrow and drew on this beauty of nature. I settled my pin between the branches on her chest and imagined the arrow guiding the Rocky Mountain broadhead to its mark. "Yes, I could shoot her"; "She would make a great trophy". But this big female was not to be harvested. Mitch and I had agreed before the hunt, that we would not shoot a female. The females at this time of year may have already been bred and this was a healthy lion that would probably be capable of producing multiple birth litters.

My heart sank as I placed the arrow back into the quiver. Not harvesting this cougar was disappointing, but this would be our part of the game management. This area in Montana was a place where we could hunt for years, and by using our discretion now, would allow us to enjoy successes later.

As I watched her descend from the tree and instantly disappear into her natural surroundings, I realized the opportunity to hunt this lion was over, but my allure of lions will continue.

We had a few weeks of our season left and made several more attempts to find a good tom, but the warm weather soon had taken away our snow and our season was over.

One day I hope to return to that mountain valley, and hopefully at that time loosen a string on a nature's most elusive predator, The Mountain Lion.

Expanding East...

The lion population in the west has been growing steadily through sound management practices and in some cases closed seasons. These higher populations have lions moving into areas they have not occupied in decades and have increased encounters with humans. Many of the states in the Midwest have already witnessed positive proof of them exploring eastward. States such as Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas have had confirmed roadside sightings and here in North Dakota, we have recently had several confirmed sightings, including one attack on horses and another witnessed chasing a deer. In our neighboring state of South Dakota, they are said to have a resident population of lions in the Black Hills. Other Eastern states from Missouri to Kentucky have also had confirmed sightings. With the increasing spread of lions into new areas, we must take every precaution to properly manage these predators for both the good of the ecosystem and as a game animal.

Hunting organizations must work together with state game departments so that we may one day have the opportunity to open hunting seasons so that all can experience the "Allure of Lions".

Author's Notes: When hunting in lion country, being in good physical condition is a must. Many chases can be long and grueling. Practicing stair climbing with heavy boots or hiking in the snow are good ways to use the outdoors to stay in shape.

Quality equipment should always be at the top of your list. I rely on lightweight and accurate Mathews bows, tough Gold Tip arrows, as well as durable sure flying Rocky Mountain Broadheads for my hunts. While practicing, shoot upward at steep angles while trying to simulate a lion in a tree. These shots can be difficult and the practice will help you to pin point small openings when shooting through branches.