09/14/2026
We did not harvest this lion or guide this hunter just simply stating the facts of hound hunting!
Hunting mountain lions with dogs is one of the most misunderstood forms of hunting, but itâs also one of the most selective.
A skilled hound team can follow a specific lionâs track through country where a hunter would otherwise have almost no chance of locating it. Once the dogs have the cat treed or bayed, the hunter has time to identify the animal, evaluate its age and s*x, and decide whether to harvest it or let it go. That ability to make a careful decision is a major advantage, especially when wildlife managers are trying to remove a particular problem lion or meet specific management objectives.
Dogs can also help ensure a clean, accountable harvest and make recovery far more reliable. This isnât a push-button hunt. It takes experienced dogs, knowledgeable handlers, miles of difficult terrain, and an enormous amount of work.
Predator control is an essential part of wildlife management. Mountain lions belong on the landscape, but their numbers still have to be managed alongside deer, elk, livestock, habitat conditions, and growing human development. Regulated hunting gives wildlife agencies a precise tool for maintaining that balance while generating funding for conservation.
And despite one of the most common criticisms, mountain lions arenât killed simply for a trophy. Their meat is lean, mild, and often compared to pork. Many hunters consider it some of the best wild game theyâve ever eaten.
You can respect the power and beauty of a mountain lion while also recognizing the value of hunting it. Those ideas arenât contradictory. Theyâre part of responsible, science-based conservation.
Congratulations to Chris Brunson on this Nevada mountain lion. Who here has hunted lions behind hounds?