Trapping a Cougar/Mountain Lion

[Oogyboogawa]

I'm new to trapping, though I've always been fascinated with the idea I've never given it a try. Now we've got a cougar literally hunting chickens in our backyard.  Most animals, I would simply try to take care of with a gun, but I'm afraid this one may be too smart, swift, and stealthy for that.

I'm guessing cougar may not be the recommended way to start learning how to trap, but I don't have a ton of time to spend learning with other critters.  Based on what I've been reading, it looks like my most likely options are a spring trap that grabs it's paw or a snare around it's neck.  I'm leaning towards the snare, but was wondering if anyone here had any specific advice.

I've also read that if you anchor the snare/trap solidly, there is a good chance that they will break it since they are so strong.  So instead you want to give it a fair length of chain connected to a weight of some sort that they can drag around until they get tangled up.  Is this right?

[Dee]

Either will work, but I'm bettin Bobcat, unless you've actually seen the mountian lion.

[FPH]

Have you actually seen a Mountain Lion......I bet bobcat also, or even Owl.

[Oogyboogawa]

We actually saw it yesterday morning.  At first we weren't sure what it was, just that something kept spooking our chickens and a few of them had disappeared.  Several days ago, it screeched at me before running away, but I only caught a glimpse of it through the brush.  I'd never heard a cougar before so I wasn't sure that was the sound they made, and I didn't get a clear enough view that time to be 100% sure - but I highly suspected it.

Then yesterday morning, we actually saw it.  It apparently had gone after one of our chickens and gotten close enough to take out a bunch of feathers, but the chicken got away and we heard the commotion.

I have to say, if it hadn't been in our backyard, it would've been pretty incredible to watch.  It's not very often you get that close to a predatory cat in hunting mode.

As soon as the door opened so I could take a shot, it disappeared into the brush with lightning speed.


Anyway, all that is to say, we are certain it is a mountain lion. It seems to have determined that our backyard is an easy source of food, so I'm pretty sure it will come back.

[Dee]

Sounds like rifle time.

[Oogyboogawa]

Like I said: Based on what I've seen so far, I think he's going to be too alert for me to get a shot at him. He's got acres and acres of unmaintained land to hide in and is smart enough not to come out when I'm out there.  His territory is big enough (supposedly they average around 22 square miles for the territory they claim) that he doesn't come by everyday so it's hard to predict when he will show up.

[FPH]

If a rifle is not an option I would get your States Game and Fish involved and declare him a nuisance animal.

[Bogmaster]

 Not to rain on your parade--but --with no trapping experience,pass it on to someone who has. A cougar is not something a novice should start out with. Contact your state officials,many states do not allow the hunting or trapping of cougar.But they should be able to help you out with your problem.
 Keep us posted.
 Tom

[Oogyboogawa]

Let's pretend for a moment that I've considered both of the options presented so far and actually think trapping is a better option for me - is there a reason I should believe otherwise?

[Oogyboogawa]

Sorry Bogmaster, that last post was submitted before I saw your response.


I've checked as far as the legality and since it is posing a threat and damaging livestock it is okay for me to do with it as I wish.  Would prefer to go about this without bringing in the officials if possible - but it may come to that.  I realize that this is not the ideal way to learn - but is there really a reason that a novice can't or shouldn't do it?


Figured out how to edit so I could add: The reason I think this cougar might be easier to trap than they normally would be is that I already know it has specific habits (both that it does come back to the area to "hunt" but also specific paths and even a spot that it ran and hid when it sensed danger - so I'm assuming it felt relatively safe there) and I've seen it in action. If it wasn't for the fact that it is hard to predict when it will strike, I would sit out there with a gun and wait - I just can't do that all day everyday.

[Bogmaster]

 One of the main reasons I am opposed to a novice trapping cougar.This is not a muskrat ,or coon--it is an animal that can easily kill you. If the drag is hung up, you are the one that must go in and confront the animal. If it is hidden, you are at risk when going in to dispatch it.
 Also experience with proper use and type of snares and traps is essential.
 Do yourself a favor,either shoot it,or let someone experienced in trapping  cougar ,handle the job.
 Tom

[Ranger99]

x2 with bogmaster


if the thing didn't kill you, once wounded or
hurt the thing would be a terrible danger to
folks in the area until killed.
worse if you wounded it and it got away and
hurt some kids.

[hillbill]

something you could try, if you know for sure its in the area, try to call it in with a varmint call.circle so the winds in your favor and start calling, maybe with a buddy to watch behind you.cats come in very slow so be paitent.if it busts you or you miss your shot yu prob wont git another chance.but it may be a young dumb one also.
 
if you do decide to trap it, use enough trap. i would prob go with a no 4 coilspring or long spring.. a no 3 coil mite be fine also.jus be warned, a trap that strong will be very hard on any domestic animals that get in it.as far as fastening the trap,id think a pair of x stakes and a very short chain.that will give it less room to run and hit the end of the chain.i would not tie it to a sapling as they will wind around it and use it for leverage. if you use a log drag also use a short chain cuz as soon as it drags it up agin something its the same as tied solid. as other posters said a couger is not somthing you want to start your trappin career on.but if yu have no choice but to protect your stock id go for it.no advice on snares cuz i havent used them.

[52bagman]

I would stake out a chicken on a lanyard and wait fro the sucker in a hide. Do you have a building in the area of where the chickens are? Get in the building with a gun ready out a window or other opening and let him have it after he gets a hold of the chicken. Shot gun would be my choice of weapon.

[FPH]

Let your Game and Fish handle the trapping........Mountain Lions are serious business.......very cunning and dangerous.

[james]

I saw one of those long tailed cats in Montana and gave a trapper the location.  He said they have to take a class from the Game and Fish before they can get a license to trap them.   That sounds like a good idea to me.

[SHOOTALL]

My son traps alot for extra cash. He learned from a very good trapper and at times they still trap togeter .Son os pretty good he gets bobcats often . I ride along and often check traps when my son is working. I don't do sets yet. He has had one lion in a trap. It got out of a trap that has held yotes . A bear also got out of one . Both lion and bear destoryed the traps . You may know his habits but you can bet he knows your's also. I have been way to close to a lion in the woods before and gained alot of respect for them. If at all possible I would opt to shoot it as hurting it and it getting away could be more problems that you could imagine. In Va. if you get one in a trap you are suppose to call a game warden and they send a speical agent to get it out of the trap. They put it to sleep and make sure it is not injured before release ( we can't kill them here).

[FPH]

I have never trapped cougar.......always have run dogs and shot the cat.