Mountain Lion hunt from wheelchair

[Archery1973]

I'm not sure this is the right forum but I figured I'd ask.

Has anybody heard of a wheelchair person being able to hunt mountain lions? I've been searching and cannot find someone who has tried it or done it. I realize it's incredibly hard for people on 2 feet but less crazier things have been accomplished.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences on it.

 

[ol mike]

I've seen some hunts on TV and when using hounds -by far the most successful way to hunt them -the hunters are in very steep rugged country .
Hunting them by using a predator call might be a feasible way to get it done .
Put the wheelchair hunter in a ground blind in rugged mountainous terrain using a 4x4 truck .Drop the hunter out -put the blind over him set out the caller -park the truck in a low spot 4-500yds away come back crank up the caller and wait for a shot.
You'd probably has to shoot a few coyotes and bobcats while having your fingers crossed for a ML -but hey that wouldn't be that bad. Save some deer and other critters while waiting out the ML.
Put a little buddy propane heater in the blind and wait'em out..
From what I've read about ML calling -don't bother glassing b/c they are usually 'just there' .
Best of luck !
Mike

 

[WildRose]

About the only practical way I can think of would be to have someone else locate a carcass that they were feeding on and get you set up over it.

Could be a long wait though. The predator call would work but only if one was close by.

In general big cats are extremely elusive. We have them in our area and see the signs of same frequently but In thirty years of hunting and then living here I've only seen two.

 

[Archery1973]

I was thinking hounds with me on a horse with a high saddle.

 

[bigngreen]

You can absolutely find a way to get it done!! The guy I learned to trap coyotes from broke his back and he still out traps everyone in the county, he still has enough below the waist he can us a walker kinda but when he's out he pulls himself on a sled to check his line.
The horse idea is a good one and would generally get you in the area of the tree, they usually tree in stuff that is steeper than a cows face though, at least around here. If you find a good houndsmen he'll know which cats he can get treed faster and where the best area would be to get on a fast tree. A couple buddies could pull a guy in a sled to the tree.
Lion hunting behind hound is the best hunting to be had IMO, between following lions and seeing the mountains through their eyes and listening to the hounds and getting in close on a lion I've never been on a better and sometimes more challenging hunt.

 

[jamaro]

Tred Barta did a show on it... They ended up killing a bobcat but it is the same idea...
J-

 

[Broz]

We have been treeing lions for the past month here. Been a good year. Some hikes are only a short one. Some would be too far. But for sure if you got with the right houndsman and spent some time it could be done. Would help to have a few strong friends to help you to the tree. Once the cat is treed it usually stays, but it might jump if it is too low in the tree, as humans approach. The dogs will tree it again usually in 200 yards or less. They will stay in the first or second tree most always and will stay there for as long as the dogs are there. So getting to the tree would not be a hurry up deal as long as shooting hours are not close to over. So I would definitely do a morning chase. But yes, you could do it and I think it would be very cool!!

Jeff

 

[SidecarFlip]

Great article in Hunt'in Fool (December) about a wheelchair bound hunter that got a trophy Elk.

I love stories and endings like that.

 

[WildRose]

I was thinking hounds with me on a horse with a high saddle.

If you can safely ride a horse then it should be doable.

The problem is you'll have to shoot from the horse.

Horses are very unstable shooting platforms and in spite of what you see in the movies most of them do not like being shot off of.

Also unlike the movies the last thing you want to do is shoot over or beside the horses head.

Not knowing your condition or physical limitations in detail the best I can suggest on this idea is to talk to some guides and see what you can work out.

Most may well be resistant due to liability fears should something happen.

Riding a horse is not like sitting in a chair and generally requires a good bit of upper and lower body work to keep you centered and upright and even much more so on steep, rugged terrain like big cats tend to prefer.

Best of luck.

 

[cowboy]

They kill a lot of mountain lion every year in the Black Hills of South Dakota and hounds are not legal. I think they upped the quota to 100 cats this year. Vast majority are taken by calling.

 

[HARPERC]

Lots of variables, and challenges. If you can find the right folks, and stay persistent, until the right race comes along anything is possible. No real advice just encouragement, and hope that you make it work. I recall a couple of occasions that races were short, and the cat treed in pretty accessible spots. Good luck.

 

[Archery1973]

I'm hooking up with Travis Reggear in Idaho for bear hunt with hounds in May 2014. If it works out well, I'll go back with Travis and do cats in February 2015. He's never had a paraplegic and wants to test the waters with a bear.

Thanks for the suggestions and thanks to Shawn Carlock for the referral.