I also find Cats fascinating to hunt and have hunted Mountain Lion (Idaho & BC), Lynx (BC), and Bobcat (Texas, Maine). For Mountain lion it’s all about the hounds - the chase. On my 2nd Idaho hunt we finally struck a big track and treed a nice Tom. The Guide & I got to the tree first, big male panting heavily on a low tree limb (only 15’ feet above the ground) - as relaxed as a house cat and the baying “single hound” barking below him was of No concern. MY guide suggested I shoot the cat with my .357 revolver (it was only 25’ shot) but we instead waited for my friend to arrive at the Tree - know this would be his only chance to ever get a Cat because it treed only 100 yrds from a road and was an easy downhill walk (he was older and not in good shape). I was fine with that because all the excitement was over - the shot would be like shooting a fat squirrel. We waited for my friend to make his way down to the tree - he shot it 2x w/.243 and it fell but ran 100 yrds before expiring. It was a great Idaho Tom, well above average and guide estimated 165-180 lbs (Guides always over estimate) but it had a Big pumpkin Head. I was thrilled for my Friend and it was his “trophy of a lifetime”. I’ve gone on another Mountain Lion/combo Lynx hunt in BC. After my Son and I killed our Lynx over hounds on Day 3....we concentrated the next 5 days hunting for Mountain Lion and although we cut fresh Lion tracks daily - never cut a Big track so I went home w/out my lion again. I still want a Mountain Lion and only a Big one will do - for me the kill is too easy to be satisfied with a small or average Cat - the “thrill” is the chase.
