Quick Answer
Ideal terrain for hunting mountain lions with hounds includes rugged, mountainous areas with rocky outcroppings, steep slopes, and dense vegetation, allowing hounds to follow scents and track prey through challenging terrain. This terrain often features canyons, ridges, and valleys that hounds can easily navigate. A mix of open and dense areas helps hounds to track and tree the mountain lion.
Terrain Characteristics
When selecting an area to hunt mountain lions with hounds, look for rugged terrain that provides numerous hiding spots and ambush points for the mountain lion. This includes areas with rocky outcroppings, steep slopes, and dense vegetation such as scrub oak, pine, and chaparral. A good starting point is to target areas with elevations between 5,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level, where mountain lions are most active.
Using the Terrain to Your Advantage
Use the terrain to your advantage by setting up hunting scenarios that funnel the mountain lion into areas where hounds can easily track and tree them. This can be achieved by setting up a series of canyons, ridges, and valleys that create a funnel effect, forcing the mountain lion to move through areas where hounds can easily track them. Aim to have at least one mile of terrain that allows hounds to follow a scent trail without being interrupted by obstacles or competing scents.
Hunting with Hounds in Mountainous Terrain
When hunting with hounds in mountainous terrain, it’s essential to keep the terrain in mind when deploying the hounds. Use areas with dense vegetation to your advantage by releasing the hounds in areas where they can easily pick up scents and track the mountain lion. Use open areas to allow the hounds to run and chase the mountain lion, but also be prepared to quickly close off areas to prevent the mountain lion from escaping.
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