Mountain Lion Tracking Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Mountain lions known as: Kougar, Puma, Panther, Catamount.
• Habitat ranges from Patagonia to Northern British Columbia.
• Focus of this lecture: Tracking mountain lions in Idaho's dense forests.

Hunting Conditions

• Sub-zero temperatures and accumulating snow create ideal hunting conditions.
• Effective tracking involves walking, listening, and utilizing tracking skills.

The Speaker

• Steven Rinella shares his philosophy on hunting:
  • Hunting is about more than just the pursuit of animals.
  • It reflects who we are as individuals.
  • Strong belief in consuming meat.

Tracking Mountain Lions

• Bart George: Wildlife biologist with a focus on native wildlife.
  • Expertise in tracking mountain lions and associated research.
  • Trains his own dogs for tracking purposes.
• Bruce Duncan: Fellow houndsman, acts as a mentor for Bart.

Pre-Hunt Preparations

• Group heads out before sunrise to find fresh tracks near deer herds.
• Importance of distinguishing between male and female tracks for ethical hunting:
  • Avoid hunting females to protect local populations.
• Fresh tracks indicate a male mountain lion, vital for tracking.

Tracking Techniques

• Measure the stride of the mountain lion to determine size:
  • A 40-inch stride generally indicates a larger male.
• Use of GPS collars for dogs enhances tracking efficiency:
  • Allows tracking of the lion's movements.
  • Aids in understanding the lion's behavior in different terrains.

Challenges in Tracking

• Encountering a river presents risks for the dogs:
  • Dogs may attempt to cross, leading to potential danger in cold weather.
• Confusion from multiple lion tracks can lead to losses:
  • Dogs may become disoriented without clear tracks.

Ethical Considerations in Hunting

• Controversies surrounding mountain lion hunting using hounds:
  • Some argue it provides an unfair advantage.
  • Historical context: Hunting with dogs has been practiced for thousands of years.
• Emphasizes collaboration between hunters and dogs.

Day One Summary

• Tracking efforts reveal signs of a mountain lion's kill, indicating proximity.
• After a day of tracking, the lion is not located due to adverse conditions.

Day Two: Fresh Tracks

• New snowfall complicates tracking but also offers fresh tracks.
• Difficulty differentiating tracks due to confusion created by snow.
• Importance of patience and thorough searching in tracking.

Finding the Mountain Lion

• Successful identification of the mountain lion's fresh tracks.
• Discovery of a deer carcass indicates the lion's recent activity.
• Dramatic moment: Dogs locate the mountain lion.

The Hunt Experience

• Steven recounts the emotional experience of seeing a mountain lion in the wild after extensive tracking.
• Discusses the process of handling and preparing the mountain lion for consumption:
  • Similarities between lion and pork meat in texture and color.
  • Cooking techniques mentioned: Slow cooking and searing.

Conclusion

• The speaker reflects on the experience of tracking and hunting mountain lions:
  • Emphasizes the connection to nature and the skills involved.
  • The value of the experience remains even after the animal is processed.