Cougar calling Sequence?

[Hnthrdr]

Cold calling is really not preferred but I’d go to a place where there is high lion density/ known hangouts have some canyons/ gulches in Co that seem to be Lions all over them

 

[LoneOregonWolf]

I have killed 4 lions calling, and I put in a lot of effort. I’m confident if a lion is within earshot, chances are good, I feel like they are easy to call in, but it’s extremely difficult to be within earshot of a lion while calling.

I don’t do much cold calling anymore, because it’s been fruitless, I cover ground looking for fresh sign rather than using that time cold calling, makes more sense to me

My calling sequence has been pretty much the same on each successful call in, a couple minutes of distress and then lion vocals, and I don’t pause much in calling, I don’t think they are call shy… I treat it like calling roosies, loud and proud

I have only had one sneak in with lion vocals, I caught it sneaking away at 37yds and whacked it

It’s certainly the hardest tag to fill on purpose, it’s not for the easily discouraged, but it can be done.

They always want to approach from above, so take that into account when setting up, it’s important and makes it harder to find good setups. I recently got a couple tree stands that will solve that issue and make hunting them on NF land possible… hunting on the ground in big second growth is pretty much pointless, you’ll never see one you call in between the ferns, salmonberry, huckleberry and vine maple… a tree stand makes it possible, and as a bonus gets your movement off the ground where they will see you if you move at all… they spot movement for a living.

I love hunting lions, and it’s so insanely satisfying when it works out because of the difficulty. There is nothing more exciting than watching a lion appear out of nowhere at 30yds… it’s surreal.

If you are dedicated, it’s doable to kill one a year if you have some time to try. I don’t change my general sequence any time of year, I keep the strategy the same but mix it up with actual sounds, but with lion vocals, I don’t think they hang up and become educated very often, they are a bold animal and a territorial animal so I don’t worry about educating them like coyotes… lions seem to come in decisively when they do.

You also can have an impact in a small region, i have killed 3 in one area and then for awhile, i wasn’t seeing cat sign and started getting deer pics on my cam I had out to for lions. It’s getting back to bad now, but i plan on beating it up this winter, i know the country well and know how lions use it

That brings me to another important aspect, the rest of the year when not chasing cats, pay attention to sign and where you see it, and how often

I have a pretty good list of places to check for fresh sign, and that’s helpful to race into an area and check for fresh sign.

Understand that it takes a lot of effort and it’s not an instant gratification activity, but it’s doable if you are dedicated enough to go try when you can

Incredible info. Thank you. Very helpful.