A question for houndsmen and educated lion hunters

[gotcoues]

My question is, in cold conditions (no snow), old long is still considered "viable" or "good" to track a lion?

 

IE; A hunter glasses up a lion and tries to find someone who is willing to chase with dogs. Does terrain matter, desert vs. pines?

 

All be damned if I didn't carry a rifle even on short scouting trips last year every where I went with a lion tag in my pocket dreaming of putting my first lion down and yesterday while out with my son javelina hunting I glassed up a lion at 1400 yards. No rifle of course, and I might not of had time to get to a good shooting distance to take the shot before he went over the ridge. But still, it hurt bad to sit and watch!

 

Another question,

 

Is it illegal to carry your rifle while actively bowhunting? I assume yes, but I don't think that is far if your carrying a lion tag while bowhunting. I'm crazy enough to lug it and my bow around if it is legal!!!!

 

 

I don't know if and when I will be willing to flat out hire a guide to pursue a lion, but I do feel better about glassing one and then calling around to pursue "my lion" as a DIY kinda guy!

[trophyhnter]

When pursuing archery only game, a sidearm for personal protection is the only legal firearm allowed! On the otherhand, while you may be out looking for javelina with bow and rifle in hand, if asked, you could say that you are hunting coyotes or lions!

[trophyhnter]

Found the section:

R12-4-318

Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals,

Birds, and Reptiles

 

C. When designated by Commission order, the following

 

seasons have specific requirements and lawful methods

of take more restrictive than those for general and special

seasons, as prescribed in this Section. While taking

the species authorized by the season:

1. An individual participating in a “muzzleloader” season

shall not use or possess any firearm other than

muzzle-loading rifles or muzzle-loading handguns,

as defined under R12-4-101. Individuals participating

in a “muzzleloader” season may possess a

non-hunting handgun for personal protection. It

is unlawful to take any wildlife with this handgun

while participating in a “muzzleloader” season. For

the purposes of this Section, a non-hunting handgun

is defined as a handgun with a barrel length of

six inches or less that does not have a scope or any

type of electronic sight.

2. An individual participating in an “archery-only”

season may only use or possess a bow and arrow

as prescribed under R12-4-304 and shall not use or

possess any other weapons, including crossbows or

bows with a device that holds the bow in a drawn

position except as authorized under R12-4-216. Individuals

participating in an “archery-only” season

may possess a non-hunting handgun for personal

protection. It is unlawful to take any wildlife with this

handgun while participating in an “archery-only”

season. For the purposes of this Section, a nonhunting

handgun is defined as a handgun with a

barrel length of six inches or less that does not have

a scope or any type of electronic sight.

[gotcoues]

That's pretty much how I understood the handgun rule, I just hadn't read it from the regs for verification. That bums me out that I can't tote the long range man cannon in my scabbard while out archery hunting. I'm guessing lions are more active during the day in the colder months just like other animals.