The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Mountain Lions

There’s something undeniably primal about locking eyes—albeit briefly—with one of North America’s most elusive apex predators: the mountain lion. Also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers depending on where you’re hunting, these big cats are ghosts of the wilderness. They move silently, stalk expertly, and vanish just as quickly as they appear. For the dedicated hunter, mountain lion hunting is less about meat and more about the challenge, the adventure, and a deep respect for predator-prey dynamics.

This is your ultimate guide to hunting mountain lions—crafted for both seasoned outdoorsmen and curious newcomers alike.

What Makes Mountain Lion Hunting Unique?

Unlike hunting deer or elk where you glass open hillsides or sit in a blind, mountain lion hunting is a different beast entirely. It requires:

• Tracking prowess (often with the help of hounds)
  
  

• Patience
  
  

• Endurance over rugged terrain
  
  

• A willingness to hunt in winter conditions
  
  

You’re not just looking for the animal—you’re tracking a ghost through snow-covered mountains, trying to outwit a creature that can leap 15 feet vertically and drag a full-grown deer into a tree.

Where to Hunt Mountain Lions in the U.S.

Mountain lions roam across the western half of the U.S., though regulated hunting is only allowed in select states. The top states for mountain lion hunting include:

• Arizona: Year-round season, with excellent populations and diverse terrain.
  
  

• Idaho: Offers long seasons and high success rates, especially in the central mountains.
  
  

• Utah: Tag opportunities with both limited-entry and over-the-counter options.
  
  

• Colorado: Requires a tag and a mountain lion education certificate, but boasts solid lion numbers.
  
  

• Montana: Offers both general and special licenses, often paired with big game hunts.
  
  

• New Mexico: Offers open season in many areas and allows pursuit with hounds.
  
  

Most of these hunts take place between December and March, when snow makes tracking easier.

The Role of Hounds: An Age-Old Tradition

If you’ve never hunted behind a pack of trained hounds, brace yourself. It’s not only one of the oldest methods of predator hunting, it’s also incredibly effective—and adrenaline-pumping.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. You start early in the morning, driving roads or hiking ridges looking for a fresh track in the snow.
   
   

2. Once a track is found, hounds are released to follow the scent.
   
   

3. After hours of barking, chasing, and climbing, the lion is treed or bayed up on a cliff.
   
   

4. The hunter then follows the hounds to the treed cat for a clean, ethical shot.
   
   

Ethical hunters work closely with guides and handlers to ensure the chase is fair and that the animal is harvested respectfully.

“There’s nothing like hearing hounds baying in the canyon below you. It’s a raw, wild sound you never forget.” — veteran Arizona hunter

Essential Gear for Mountain Lion Hunting

Mountain lion country is steep, snowy, and unforgiving. Come prepared, or stay home.

Clothing & Boots:

• Insulated, waterproof boots with excellent grip
  
  

• Layered clothing system (base layer, mid-layer, outer shell)
  
  

• Gloves, gaiters, and face protection for cold weather
  
  

Tracking & Navigation:

• GPS with mapping software (many hunters use Garmin with Topo maps)
  
  

• Radio communication (especially with a hound handler)
  
  

• Headlamp with extra batteries
  
  

Firearms & Optics:

• .243, .270, or .30-06 rifles are popular (you don’t need a magnum)
  
  

• Some hunters use handguns or bows for the close-range shot
  
  

• Quality scope or red dot sight for dense timber shots
  
  

Licenses and Regulations

Each state has its own system for obtaining a mountain lion hunting license or tag. Here are some general rules:

• Many states require a lion identification course or certification.
  
  

• Tags may be over-the-counter or require a lottery draw.
  
  

• Some zones have harvest quotas; once met, the unit closes for the season.
  
  

• Hunters are often required to report harvests within 24 hours and submit the carcass or skull for inspection.
  
  

Pro tip: Always check current regulations and unit closures before heading out. Mountain lion seasons can change fast—especially after a heavy snow year or population spike.

Ethics and Conservation

Mountain lions are solitary, low-reproducing predators. Ethical harvest is critical. When choosing to pull the trigger, hunters often:

• Avoid taking females with dependent kittens
  
  

• Target mature tom cats (larger males)
  
  

• Use fair-chase principles—no radios guiding the shooter in, no snowmobiles closing distance illegally
  
  

The truth is, mountain lion hunting is as much about conservation as it is about the hunt. When lion populations grow unchecked, they can heavily impact deer and elk herds, especially fawns and calves.

Should You Use a Guide?

If you’re new to predator hunting—or don’t have a team of hounds—hiring a professional guide is a smart move. Not only do they have experienced dogs, but they also know the terrain, local quotas, and how to judge the age and sex of a treed cat. Plus, many states like Utah and Colorado require non-residents to hunt with an outfitter in certain units.

Look for outfitters with:

• Ethical practices
  
  

• A long track record of success
  
  

• Transparent trophy fee and pricing policies
  
  

• Excellent reviews from past clients
  
  

Final Thoughts

Hunting mountain lions in the U.S. isn’t a casual weekend pursuit—it’s a full-tilt adventure into the wild. It's a chess match played in snow, silence, and steep country. It demands grit, patience, respect for the land, and reverence for the predator you're pursuing.

But for those who take it on, there’s hardly a more intense or rewarding pursuit in North American hunting.