Lions, Hounds, And Culverts: A Lion Hunter`s Journey

Send us Fan MailA mountain lion's paw print in fresh snow means something different to Scott of Montana Mountain Lion Adventures—it's the beginning of a primal pursuit that represents one of hunting's most specialized traditions. Through decades of experience training "long, sophisticated tracking machines" (his hounds), Scott has developed a deep understanding of both the cats he pursues and the dogs that help him do it.From his childhood fascination with a life-sized mountain lion mount in his family's kitchen to becoming president of the Montana State Hounding Association, Scott's journey reveals the extraordinary patience and perseverance required to master this craft. He shares the pivotal moment when an ornery but skilled local hunter took him under his wing, leading to his first successful mountain lion hunt and the realization that his previous failures weren't due to a lack of tracking ability but working with dogs unsuited to Montana's challenging conditions.Scott provides fascinating insights into his selective breeding approach—by 18 months, his dogs must independently trail and tree lions, and by 30 months, they must perform on dry ground without snow to assist tracking. His commitment to quality over quantity is evident in his guiding philosophy, typically using only three dogs when most would run six or seven, ensuring every hound genuinely contributes to the hunt.Beyond the hunt itself, Scott's participation in Montana's Mountain Lion Monitoring Program reveals surprising scientific discoveries about these predators. GPS-collared cats have shown that while some lions kill deer weekly, others might survive 20 days between major kills, relying on smaller prey. Perhaps most striking is the evidence that mortality rates in non-hunted lion populations closely match those in areas with well-managed hunting quotas, challenging common assumptions about conservation approaches.Call Scott directly to discuss booking a hunt—with only a limited number of clients accepted each year and typically booked 1-2 years in advance, these specialized experiences require advance planning but deliver an authentic connection to one of hunting's most challenging pursuits.Check us out on Facebook  Hunts On Outfitting, or myself Ken Marr. Reach out and  Tell your hunting buddies about the podcast if you like it, Thanks!