Mtn Lion Bow Hunting Preparation

[swampfoxsc]

My first lion hunt is in a few months and I'm bringing my bow. While I feel confident shooting from a tree down at a whitetail, I'm starting my training to do the opposite - shooting from the ground up. I'm thinking I'll use a pulley system to hoist a target over a branch ~20ft high but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have suggestions to prepare myself for this hunt?

 

[Joshk358]

I like that option. I did a bear hunt over hounds a couple of years ago and while I didn't shoot at extreme upward angles I did drawn my bow alot....bend at the waist and aim up in trees. When the time came to shoot the bear I feel like I had done that shot a bunch of times. The shot was maybe 5 yds from the base of the tree and 30 feet up. Made a perfect shot. But actually SHOOTING at that angle would be ideal.

 

[2Stamp]

My one lion kill was with a bow, and I was on the upslope of the tree, essentially level with him. I had to worry more about hitting a branch a I had a small hole to put the arrow through. I spent more time testing my top pin at all distances from 5yd-25yd.

You're not shooting a long distance, so if you shoot well down out of a tree stand this will be the same. Bend at the waist keeping your form.

 

[Cwsharer]

Just so you know it is no feat to shoot a lion with a bow on a treed animal , you would be doing yourself and the outfitter a favor by using a firearm . I know you didn’t ask but just some advice from a guy with some hounds!

 

[swampfoxsc]

Just so you know it is no feat to shoot a lion with a bow on a treed animal , you would be doing yourself and the outfitter a favor by using a firearm . I know you didn’t ask but just some advice from a guy with some hounds!

I have not heard that before. Will you please elaborate?

 

[2Stamp]

I have not heard that before. Will you please elaborate?

Speaking of my own experience and a couple other lion hunts I've tagged along, with a bow the houndsman has more concern for the dogs. Often the arrow stays in the car when it bails and runs off. It's a hazard for the dogs (sharp pointy thing that can harm the dogs). Catching the cat and getting in a few bites is a reward for dogs, as explained to me. Doing that with an arrow sticking out is not good.

The houndsman I was with (a friend and fellow guide) wanted to lease the dogs so they didn't immediately chase the cat when it jumped at the shot. We treed my cat twice. He bailed the first time because we were leashing. We leased at the second tree also. We watched pretty closely to see where the arrow ended up. He walked his dogs up to the cat in leash, and we verified if the broad head was sticking out, had fallen out, etc. Before he even let the dogs get close to the carcass.

 

[swampfoxsc]

Speaking of my own experience and a couple other lion hunts I've tagged along, with a bow the houndsman has more concern for the dogs. Often the arrow stays in the car when it bails and runs off. It's a hazard for the dogs (sharp pointy thing that can harm the dogs). Catching the cat and getting in a few bites is a reward for dogs, as explained to me. Doing that with an arrow sticking out is not good.

The houndsman I was with (a friend and fellow guide) wanted to lease the dogs so they didn't immediately chase the cat when it jumped at the shot. We treed my cat twice. He bailed the first time because we were leashing. We leased at the second tree also. We watched pretty closely to see where the arrow ended up. He walked his dogs up to the cat in leash, and we verified if the broad head was sticking out, had fallen out, etc. Before he even let the dogs get close to the carcass.

That makes sense. The houndsman said he's ok with a bow, but I'll press to see if that causes him more concern than he's leading on.

 

[WeiserBucks]

It can get a little western once in a while

 

[Joshk358]

What an awesome picture! The fellow I hunted with preferred bowhunters. So, guessing that varies from outfitter to outfitter? Understandable either way.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Every houndsman is different, I have a couple friends with dogs but I've never been with an outfitter.

 

[benconfused]

My first lion hunt is in a few months and I'm bringing my bow. While I feel confident shooting from a tree down at a whitetail, I'm starting my training to do the opposite - shooting from the ground up. I'm thinking I'll use a pulley system to hoist a target over a branch ~20ft high but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have suggestions to prepare myself for this hunt?

Not sure where you are but a total archery challenge event is always a great concentrated event to test your angles and equipment. Id recommend specifically the Prime and Ultraview courses for heavier angled shots.

 

[KHNC]

My first lion hunt is in a few months and I'm bringing my bow. While I feel confident shooting from a tree down at a whitetail, I'm starting my training to do the opposite - shooting from the ground up. I'm thinking I'll use a pulley system to hoist a target over a branch ~20ft high but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have suggestions to prepare myself for this hunt?

Well, i can tell you my lion archery shot was over the edge of a 80-100' cliff. Larry, (our old turkey guide from Cali) held my belt as i leaned over the cliff to shoot down 18-20yds. Took two arrows to knock that cat out of the cliffhanger tree. Of course he fell all the way to the bottom of the canyon. So, you may not be shooting "up" lol

Edit: I dont think you are the real Swamp Fox. Sorry, good luck on your lion hunt anyway tho.