Suggestions on a lion hunt

B

Bitter24

New member
Hey guys,

So I'm new to this web site been creeping for a while. Im going to be moving to AZ towards the end of this year. On that note it has been on my need to do list to hunt lion. In AZ from what ive read you can harvest one lion per year.

Id assume (which my be wrong) but it would probably be worth the money to hire a guide in order to do this cause what I gather its not easy to hunt them. I def dont mind putting in time and effort to do scouting and trying to find a area. What is your guys take on it?

How is the lion hunting in AZ I've heard that dry hunts are harder then snow hunts which makes sense.

I know guys on here have said they got lucky and when they were calling yotes they had a lion come in. I would think that is pretty rare?

thanks for and info or advice you guys can offer up to a newb
 
I've called for 5 days for them in AZ a few years ago. Never called one in, but it was fun trying. One day, I will go on a good ole fashion lion hunt behind dogs. Heck, I wouldn't even have to shoot one, just want to experience it and watch it treed. It's on my list of things to do.

There are a few guys in this forum that guide lion hunters, I believe.

Tony
 
Tony,

I agree I think a dog hunt for them would a be a lot of fun! I hunt on a bear hunt with dogs and that was cool, though I think a lion hunt would be a lot tougher of a hunt
 
You are money ahead to hire a guide..check his references before you book the hunt and talk to as many different ones as you can to see what fits you best. People hunt a bunch of different ways....do you like horses and mules? Do you think you will still like horses and mules after 7 days in the saddle? Or is trucks, wheelers and some walking more your style? Alot of choices...

Don't get caught up with dry ground is the "real" way to hunt a lion or the harder way. I'd rather sit on my horse and ride into a lion tree anyday over walking in waste deep snow in a deep canyon crawling through oak....and thats after you have burried a stupid snowmobile all morning long.

If i was spending the money, i would think what a trophy lion was for me and make sure the outfitter can try and meet my expectations. There are not guarantees but i dont wanna shoot a female or dink tom...i'd rather go home empty handed.

Good luck, jason
 
According to the AGFD lion harvest stats, there were 247 lions taken by sport harvest statewide in AZ last season and of those, 165 were taken with the aid of dogs. This does NOT include 31 taken for depredation and 7 for other reasons.

Bitter24...In GMU 35A (Sierra Vista area), there were 10 lions taken by sport harvest and only 4 of the 10 were by using dogs. Half the lions there were harvested between Jan and Mar. Welcome to AZ!

A successful AZ lion hunter is required to contact the AZ Game and Fish Dept to report their kill within 48 hours and check in their lion within 10 days of being killed. Some GMU's may allow hunters to take more than 1 lion per year.
 
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