[bearman12]

I am heading to Arizona on a Lion hunt in February, anyone been there and any experiences you want to shae. I have checked multiple referances, what to bring and any other needs for hunt. I just want to hear some experiances, yes this is a true western hunt on horses, 100,00 acre ranch and staying in ranch.
Thanks for your help- Jeff

 

[*Moose]

Sounds like a great time. Good luck.

 

[muttleysback]

You are in for one of the great adventures of a lifetime. Go and enjoy yourself. A few words from experience.

Riding horses can be tough on you if you have not ridden much. Do a bit of riding before you go and you will do just fine. Also, get yourself in shape. A lion hunt can be physically demanding. When I got my lion, we jumped him on top of a mountain and had to follow him and the dogs on foot downhill into a river drainage and then upstream for several miles. I hiked well over ten miles that day, ending with having to help pack a 200 pound lion uphill to the top of the mountain. A friend who posts on here, Tplank, got me into mountain biking as a way to get in shape. It works. My knees won't take running anymore, but biking is low impact and great conditioning. I used it to get in shape for a Dall Sheep hunt in Alaska. My hunt was in Idaho, and the weather was cold. I'm not sure what the weather in Arizona will be like, but be prepared for nearly anything from snow and rain to cold. As to weaponry, lions are not all that hard to kill. I took mine with a .44 magnum handgun. Take a gun you can shoot accurately and are familiar with. Anything from .30-06 down to .243 will do the job if you make a good shot. You will probably be hunting with dogs, which makes for an exciting hunt in a lot of ways. If so, your lion will probably be treed and the shot less that 25 yards through branches. If you get lucky, here is what you will come home with.

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

awesome

 

[bearman12]

Mutley, remember me we met at your camp in bear season, I am Jeff the Glassman, you have a wonderful camp and lots of great freinds. Thanks for the advice, started riding lessons last week and will be going til I feel comfortable. I do need to start a routine, and I do figure by February I'll be in shape from deer and bear season's. Keep in touch, love the mount. I'll be in desert so we'll see what kind of weather we get, like you said, anything is possible.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[muttleysback]

Yes, I sure do, Jeff. Several of the posters from huntingpa visited us last year before bear season. I think I still have your card somewhere here in this mess I call an office.

Feel free to stop in this year if you are in the area. My buddy Larry, and maybe Dave as well, will be in camp for the five day archery bear season, and then for the rifle season.

You might be right about the weather in the desert. I doubt it gets quite as cold as it does at the top of the mountains in Idaho in January. Good luck. You are going on the adventure of a lifetime. Take lots of photos and post a report on your lion hunt when you get back.

 

[muttleysback]

I hope the email address in your profile is a working one. I just emailed you a story.

 

[tundragriz]

I hunted southern Utah Paunsaugunt region, borders Arizona Kaibab region. Not sure of the elevation where you'll be hunting, I was in 8000-9000 feet and that can be a challenge to your lungs. The area was extremely rugged, lots and lots of nearly straight up and down. Hopefully you will be on snow, without can be difficult. I love high mountain hunting and any hunting involving tracking so this hunt rates up at the top.

A couple videos and pics here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/tundragriz/Utah2006Cougar#

 

[muttleysback]

Nice lookin' lion, griz.