Cougar Hunting with Hounds

Cougar hunting with hounds is a very misunderstood subject. I’m looking to help you know more before you book a guided cougar hunt. First off, cougar hunting with hounds is one of the only ways to successfully harvest a cougar. It’s also one of the only ways to successfully harvest a Tom. This is better for cougar population numbers. It’s literally the only way to get it done. If you want a high probability of success you will need to hire a cougar outfitter to help you. My hope is to help you be more informed on how they are hunted and why. This will help you make better decisions as to where and with whom you hunt them.

Impact on Species Populations

Cougars naturally occur in healthy numbers in every area in the lower 48. We are helping to save deer and big game species when we harvest them. On average a cougar will kill a deer a week. That’s a lot of deer when you realize there is cougar patrolling a fairly small area. Houndsmen hunt cougars primarily in the months of December, January and February when deer and elk are on winter range. They focus on that time frame because it’s when snow is the most predictable and best for treeing a Tom.

Cougar Hunting with Hounds – Benefits of Snow

The right amount of snow is a huge factor for your success. You want enough to leave a print and soft enough to stay consistent. Well trained dogs will put a cougar in a tree fairly quickly if the snow is right and the tracks are fresh. As the hunter, you need to be fit enough and ready to get to that tree to make the kill. Many times they will tree in deep snow and that is what you will battle most to get yours. Your cougar outfitter will most likely have snowshoes for you to use.

Be prepared for how outfitters locate tracks if you are wanting to go along with them. Do they look for tracks on snow machines or by 4 x 4? Hunting cougars with an outfitter makes it nice because they will tell you what gear to bring ahead of time. A critical part of cougar hunting is locating tracks and your outfitter will be exceptionally good at it. He will also be good at covering a LOT of country fast before light, every morning.

Making the Shot

Once you get a cat in the tree, the shots are usually quite close. You will need to practice an upward angle shot, especially if you are bow hunting. That is an uncommon shooting angle and one you should know where your bullet or arrow hits before you arrive. Be prepared and talk with me about what you want cougar hunting. I have many great outfitters in the west that hunt cougars with hounds. Outfitters that hunt cougars with hounds are a unique breed. I have been putting my clients on cougar hunts successfully for over 10 years. If you are ready to tackle this amazing hunt, give me a call and we will get ya squared away. Cougars are also a species on the list for the Super Slam of North American Big Game 29 if you are interested in that.

Cheers,

Marc