Mountain Lion is the ultimate big game animal. It can be the easiest or the most difficult hunt you've ever been on. We never know what we might get into while lion hunting. Mountain lions live in a wide variety of habitats, from the alpine forests of the Gila to the mesquite-cactus country of the Chihauhaun desert. They are mostly nocturnal. We ride through country on mules trying to cut a fresh track that the lion made the night before. When the dogs cut the track, they trail to where the lion is laid up for the day. After jumping it, it can be a very short race or a very long one depending on the individual lion and the terrain.

 Trailing is the real work in trying to catch a lion and the hounds can be worn out after several days of trailing. We try to keep the dogs as fresh as possible. We alternate two packs of dogs with a good mix of both young and old dogs. Long hours can be expected in the saddle and very little walking is usually required. Any type of weapon can be used, but something easy to carry is preferred.

 Accommodations are either in a bunkhouse or in a tent camp depending on weather and location of the hunt. Hunt dates are set according to availability with about a week between hunts to rest the hounds and scout for another lion. We can start hunting any day of the week.

 We do not conduct on-call hunts or wait for fresh snow. In fact, we hunt primarily on dry-ground conditions with about an 80% success rate. Tags are sold over the counter but they must be purchased 2 days before hunting. Tags can be purchased through the mail by calling the New Mexico Game Department or you can down load forms from the their website.