Idaho Mt Lion Hunting

Idaho is arguably the best state for Mountain Lion hunting, with 450 to 600 cougar taken most seasons, the highest ratio of record book entries per square mile of any state, and there's often very good hunting conditions. Bearpaw Outfitters have been outfitting and guiding mountain lion hunts for more than 40 years, they've caught hundreds of mt lions "or cougar as they are often called", including the former P&Y World Record Cougar. Bearpaw Outfitters offer guaranteed mt lion hunts in southern Idaho or in northern Idaho.

Guaranteed Mt Lion Hunts

6-Day Lion Hunt.....$6950

6-Day Non-hunter....$900

Add Bobcat Hunt...$1500

Add Wolf/Coyote.......N/C

(The Guarantee Is Simple:  If you don't get a shot opportunity at a mt lion you can return on another hunt for half price.)

Licenses and Tags are purchased Over-The-Counter

Northern Idaho costs $236.75 or Southern Idaho costs $399.50.

Mt Lion Hunting Policy

Bearpaw Outfitters prefer to get male (tom) mt lions for all the hunters. When tom lion tracks are found Bearpaw Outfitters will estimate the size and it's your decision if you want the dogs to chase the cat or look for a different mt lion to chase. When a lion is treed Bearpaw Outfitters will estimate the size and it's your choice to shoot or look for a different cat.

Matthew's 15 3/16 recordbook cougar taken in December 2021, the largest Mt Lion taken with a bow the last two years in North America.

Hunt Areas & Terrain

The Northern Idaho cougar hunting area runs about 3000' to 6000' elevation with more than 350 square miles of cougar hunting territory. The southern Idaho cougar hunting area runs about 5500' to 8500' elevation with more than 700 square miles of cougar hunting territory. Idaho is very mountanous but the guides will hike at a pace you can handle, even hunters with significant physical limitations have been successful.

Seasons, Licenses, Hunter Ed

Cougar hunting seasons run November 1 to March 31. Hunting is best when there is fresh snow, usually late November, December, January, and sometimes February is good. The License and Cougar Tag are available online in advance "HERE", or over the counter when you arrive. Proof of Hunter Education is required if born after Jan 1, 1975.

Trophy Quality

Mountain Lion toms usually weigh 120 to 160+ pounds, skinned out they usually measure 8 to 9 feet in length. Bearpaw Outfitters have taken dozens of record sized cougar. The largest scaled 205 pounds, measured over 9 1/2 feet long, scored 15 11/16, and was the P&Y world record for several years. Hunters ask if hunting is better in northern or southern Idaho? The best answer: There are good sized toms in both areas, in northern Idaho toms often score higher and there are more bobcats and wolves to hunt, in southern Idaho there is a denser lion population and usually higher success rates on mt lions.

Hunting Methods

The most successful cougar hunting method is to travel mountain roads with a 4x4 truck, ATV, or snowmobile watching for fresh cougar tracks. Bearpaw Outfitters have modern top quality equipment which makes a huge difference in the quality of your hunt. If needed, guides may also hike into remote areas looking for cougar tracks. Once a good set of fresh tracks is located the dogs are released and the chase is on. Because the hounds can cover so much country, you will stay with the vehicle until the cat is bayed or treed, then Bearpaw Outfitters will get you as close as possible before hiking in.

Shot Opportunity, Additional Game

Shot opportunity varies, there have been several years with 100% shot opportunity, but more often opportunity runs somewhere between 50% to 90%. Shots usually range from 10 to 50 yards. Ask about adding coyote, bobcat, or wolf to your hunt. Local waters also offer trout fishing and your Idaho hunting license includes 3 days of fishing.

Guiding, Lodging, Meals

Cougar hunts are guided 1x1. Lodging and meals are included at the remodeled farm house in southern Idaho or at the cabins in northern Idaho, or you can choose to stay at a motel if preferred, but any motels or restaurant meals are your expense.

Travel & Itinerary

Drive to the hunting location or fly to Salt Lake City for southern Idaho or fly to Spokane, WA for northern Idaho, get an economy rental car, it's only a 2 or 3 hour drive to meet Bearpaw Outfitters at either of our locations and roads are paved all the way to our driveways. Arrive about 4pm the day before your hunt begins. Plan to hunt the duration of the hunt if needed and plan to depart the morning after your hunt ends. Remember to call Dale a few days before the hunt to confirm there's snow on the ground or in the forecast, we would rather postpone your hunt than have you come when weather conditions are bad. Changeable airline tickets are recomended for mt lion hunts.

Trophy Care

After you harvest your Mt Lion, your guide will skin the cat and save any meat you may want, it's actually very good eating, or we'll donate the meat if you don't want any. Bearpaw Outfitters can deliver your trophy hide to an experienced mt lion taxidermist or you can take it home to your taxidermist.

To take your hide and meat home on a plane, go to the nearby Wal-Mart or grocery store and get a 24 to 48 quart cooler as needed, shipping tape, and a black marker. After Fish & Game seals your hide it can be frozen, then tape the cooler closed and write your name, address, and phone number on the cooler with the marker.

What's Not Included

Your personal gear, sleeping bag, meat processing and/or shipping, taxidermy, licenses, 6% state sales tax, motel, restaurants, gratuities to the guides, and any other items not listed as being included.

Contact Us Today

Call or Email with any questions or to book a hunt. If sending a deposit by postal mail, use the Hunt Applicationto verify your details. "We look forward to meeting you and hunting with you soon."

Dale, Tara, and The Staff