Registered: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 315

I'm going out west in Jan to hunt lions. My old man has a seasoned lion dog but I would also like to try one of my coon hounds out on lion. I can bring only one and I'm having a hard time choosing.

I've been told that a good accurate coon dog will not be the best lion because lions tend to jump several feet into the tree. Do you agree or disagree?

Dog A is poor lay up dog but an accurate, honest coon dog. She has been put on bobcats twice and seem interested. I really enjoy this dog so I'd like to see her run lions as well, but I'd be upset if something happened to her (she is the closest thing to a triple grand in my yard).

Dog B is a decent comp dog, has been run on bobcats a few times. She is out of shape but doesn't know what give up is.

Both dogs will always be coon dogs whether they run lions or not. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but would like a dog that participate. I know the best way to find out is to hunt them, but I can only bring 1.

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Registered: Apr 2009
Location:
Posts: 306

If you have a dog that can tree a coon you got a dog that can tree a fresh lion track. If the lion bails the dog will see it, plain and simple, as long as its not at night. And if she doesnt then your dads seasoned dog will and Im sure she will follow. Throw her down the track with your dads older dog, she will catch on to what they are trailing once it warms up a bit. Once a lion is jumped its about like a coon race, Lions get tired fast and take to a tree pretty quick. One thing they will tend to do is jump tree, some just dont like staying in the tree. This might ruin your coon dog when you want a stay put tree dog and they may start learning that lions jump tree and after awhile treeing on a coon they may start looking for another track or where the "coon" bailed out at. Although we run everything where Im at I havent had a problem treeing a coon or bear and them leaving the tree unless there were multiple animals and they took off on another track (possibly a deer, haha). Long story short you shouldnt have a problem and I wouldnt worry about her getting here unless where your dad is has lots of cliffs where the lion may ledge up. This is where dogs get hurt. Also tie her back if you decide to harvest the lion. And if the lion comes out alive and you dont want anything happening to your dog then turn your dads seasoned dog down the track of the injured lion if you are forced to trail it again. I almost lost a dog this year but letting all three of them go after an injured one but it was dry ground and I didnt want to lose the cat. Dogs tracking collar save his life.

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Registered: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 315

Thanks for the reply.

I dont anticipate making either female a full time lion dog. So Im not too worried about how they perform on coon when I get back.... I hope.

I'm still undecided. I know a couple of other guys are bring their younger dogs and the less idiots running around in the woods the better.

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