Az Lion Down!

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It's still sinking in. We did it. We called and killed a lion!
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I've heard stories, but I am pretty sure you are the first person that I actually have firsthand knowledge of who has called in AND killed a lion. That is saying something considering some of the professional predator hunters I've been acquainted with over the years!

That truly was a once in a lifetime event. The odds of it ever happening again are staggering. But I predict you might just get it done. You've got some lucky stars who hunt with you!:)
 
That's an absolutely amazing cat, awesome job!!

Don't even give the ammo thing a second thought, there are far more dangerous and risky circumstances to be considered when just driving to the grocery store with your girls, seriously.

I took my 3 yr. old Son with me one early spring morning, we went up by Wing Mountain on the pipe line road, I'm imagine you know the place. Anyway, I was scouting turkey for my up coming spring hunt, and like a moron I forgot to bring a firearm with me. We had called at several spots along the way, and each time we had deer and elk come in out of curiosity, so when we stopped on the pipe line and heard something coming through the tree line, we expected to see deer, elk, or even maybe a turkey, ha, ha.. As it turned out, a big sow bear came running in, and with her was a cub in tow. I whispered to my Son to not move a muscle, so he and I both froze, she got to within just several feet of us, I thought we were done for, but then she stood straight up, YELLED REAL LOUD IN OUR FACES, then turned and ran away, mowing down a bunch of oak saplings.

The second I knew we were safe, I grabbed my son, drove home, we lived in Cheshire Estates so it was only a 10 or 15 minute drive, changed my under wear, grabbed my 44 mag SBH, then went back and picked my call up where I had left it laying.

Ya, we make dumb mistakes, like the ammo thing, I can't even count the number of times I didn't bring enough with me. I actually think that it was some how a good luck charm for me, cause everything I had just enough ammo with me, I would have a successful hunt.

Keep those girls involved, your doing a great job Jake!

GS
 
Well H&H I'm gonna try for sure! After getting this cat, I can tell you I want to do it again. Calling in another someday would be fantastic but it may well not happen again. I spend a lot of time in big cat country though. I really want to call in a bear as well. Next year I'd like to run behind some dogs, a lot of tradition around running hounds and I've never done it. Looks like a blast and everyone who's done it says it is.

GS yes I know that area. Have friends that live in Cheshire :)
 
Ditto to all the accolades posted previously!

But I'm curious, having never hunted or even seen a lion … is a shotgun typically the weapon of choice?
 
I've not tried calling with lions in mind, but I've found that some baiting works. A buddy of mine and I set out a bunch of meat scraps, a jackrabbit carcass, and a handfull of bulk catnip. Sure enough! Beautiful, sorta-seal-point Siamese coloring. My buddy got so excited that he missed him three times!

Later on, telling the story, he got so excited that he missed him three more times...

Later on, I tried wiring a rag, soaked in bacon grease, to a wire on the fence in my south pasture. Next morning, sure enough, large paddy-paw tracks, and the rag was gone. Constipated lion? Dunno. :)
 
Wow, just incredible. Congratulations on your successful hunt. I have only seen one lion, and that was many years ago while building fence. I see tracks once in a while, but that's it. I'm jealous. lol
 
Typically no, a shotgun is not a weapon of choice amongst lion hunters but it's a very typical weapon of choice amongst predator hunters. Historically shotgun shooting shot was not legal to take lion until 4-5 years ago after a push from predator hunting organizations since lions get called occasionally and it's an effective way to kill them. Buckshot was originally a requirement but I believe that stipulation has been lifted as well. I would not want smaller than #4 buck. The Dead Coyote T shot stuff I'd also likely effective.
 
I dunno if it would have stopped him up. The rag was well lubricated..;)
 
Jake, I used to call bears off the Mogollon Rim, above Oak Creek canyon or over Red Rock was usually pretty productive. Actually any where where you can find some good cliffs with rock slides is usually pretty good, provided you see some sign up on top of course.

Also Sycamore Canyon, but that area is so remote and brutal. We've knocked a couple big one's down in there before, and let me tell ya, we spent 3 days packing a 450 pounder out of there once. I don't know how it is now, but back in the day there weren't any roads to pack it out too, so it usually meant a long and rough weekend of getting it out. At least the Mogollon will often have some roads down at the bottom.

GS
 
A couple centuries ago, the mountain men claimed that cougar was very good eating... .
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I'm sure they did because the flavor hasn't changed bit in modern times. Mt lion tastes much like a veal or pork and is a light meat. I've eaten it more than a few times. Just make sure it's fully cooked as with any carnivore trichinosis is always a danger.
 
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Yep, I could only read about it until last night, cooked up the first package. Cubed a roast and braised it, served over rice. It was excellent, both my girls loved it too.

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Awesome full story. I've been working the grind since a week before Monday, and just reading your story made my day. What a great family, you are your girls are lucky to have each other. Both mine are pretty much grown with the last one leaving in a year or so. Very neat.

I would definitely would eat a big cat. What a hunt!!

With a shotgun!!
 
that is a beautiful cat, wankerjake. congratulations to you for bagging that fine animal and to your two girls for spotting that cat before dad! that is what hunting is all about.

murf
 
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