Mountain Lions in Backyard - What Caliber?

[TallPine]

The thing with cats is, while they don't like hunting things that would give anywhere near a fair fight, they are also extremely territorial. If you are in what they have marked off and defended as their backyard, they will very likely be keeping an eye on you from somewhere. As would most of us with an intruder in our back yard.

That's kinda scary - considering one has apparently marked off my backyard as his/her backyard

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

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This should do the trick.










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[Ridgerunner665]

The best thing you could get is at least 4 good dogs (hounds...something that knows how to fight in a pack...if they just charge in like a pit bull would do...they would get killed)...

The cats will move if they feel threatened...an outnumbered cat will run unless its cornered.

Yes...I have encountered a few large kitty cats in my time. (140 lbs. is large for my area)...they are few and far between here...but they are here.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

And an addition to murph's very accurate post...


About attacking from behind...yes they do...from behind and above (trees, ledges...anything with a view)...

Much like your housecat...pouncing from the top of the couch.

A mountain lion nearly got the jump on me one time...from the top of an old abandoned shed...if my mule hadn't known he was there (Henry either smelled or heard him...not sure which, but he knew he was there)...I would have never noticed him up there, and I knew where and how to look for them...the hunter can easily become the hunted when dealing with cats.

Don't kill them unless you have to...and NO I'm not a PETA member...but I see no need to kill something thats just trying to survive...same as me.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

To answer the question...it may happen quick...so a quick handling lever gun is best (30-30, 44 Mag, 45 colt, 357 Mag)...or an AR 15 loaded with good bullets (Barnes TSX, Nolser Partition, Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw) of at least 60 grains. 55 grains in the TBBC is all it comes in, and it would do the job nicely.

Don't underestimate the 5.56/223...with good bullets...its a fine weapon for anything weighing less than 300 lbs.

Handguns...45 Colt, 44 mag, 357 mag (with heavy bullets)

 

[ridata]

The bear that doesn't stay off our porch is one thing ... but a mountain lion is quite another. Though I don't give it any chances, I doubt the bear will do much to humans. The lion..would.

 

[MT GUNNY]

"Mountain Lions get really pissy when shot poorly" A friend told me this he is a avid cat hunter up here in the NW. He carries a 44mag as back up when he and his dogs track cats for friends with a tag.

From some of the stories he a has told me I will always be armed with something with heft to it!!