CANADA: BC - MOUNTAIN LION HUNT

The season for Mountain Lion hunting in BC, Canada, spans from November 15th to the end of February. Success rates are high throughout the season, with no truly-defined prime time, provided there is fresh snow on the ground.

-Shiras Moose: Available during the Nov. late season, booked as a combination Mountain Lion hunt package.
-Lynx: Available during the same Mountain Lion open season for a flat-rate trophy fee.
-Bobcat: Available during the same Mountain Lion open season for a flat-rate trophy fee.
-Wolf: Available as targets of opportunity all winter long for a flat-rate trophy fee.

These BC Mountain Lion hunts are 6 full days, and professionally 1x2+ guided, meaning each hunter has at least 2 guides assisting. They all begin by searching for and cutting fresh tracks in the snow. Cruise the various old logging and access roads looking for a steaming hot cat track by means of 4x4 truck, side-by-side, or snowmobile, as required. Two or even three guides will assist in this process. Clients are welcome to join searching for fresh tracks, or can remain at the lodge in a strategic central location. Once suitable tracks have been located, they are meticulously judged for the estimated sex and size of the animal. If deemed worthy, the team “boxes” the cat by driving all the nearby roads in a box pattern to ensure the Mountain Lion has not crossed elsewhere, roughly confirming his location.

At this point, the energy of the hunt completely changes, and the dogs are released on the freshest tracks, monitored by the guides by means of GPS. Once a Mountain Lion is treed, the guides and hunter rush to the tree to secure the cat. It is often described as controlled pandemonium, with so much happening at once! Certainly, an adrenalizing experience, different from any other hunt, highly specialized and rewarding. Most of the Mountain Lion hunt is quite relaxed until the mad dash to the tree is required, thus facilitating hunters of nearly all fitness levels.

Most clients bring personal rifles from home to go Mountain Lion hunting in BC, as non-residents can usually enter Canada quite easily with firearms for the purpose of hunting.

Shots are essentially always close range, under 50 yards, and with that, certain firearms perform better than others. Heavy, slower-moving pistol calibers from lever action rifles are traditional, chambered in .357, .44 mag, or the longer .30-30. Smaller centerfire rifles are also used, typically chambered in .243 or 7mm-08. Lynx and Bobcats are typically taken with a .22 Magnum or .17 HMR, which can be rented from the outfitter. Moose or any bonus Wolves are generally taken with .270 or bigger cartridges. Quality rifle rentals/ammo can also be rented for international clients at a price of $300 for the duration of the hunt.

Archery hunting is catered to, and very feasible on a treed Mountain Lion, Lynx, or Bobcat. Late-season Moose makes for a very challenging archery hunt, and bonus Wolves especially so. But archery hunting for cats is highly successful, with archery hunters welcome. Typical shooting ranges would be 30-50 yards.

This guided Mountain Lion hunt occurs in interior BC’s Okanagan Valley between Kelowna and Penticton. Known as Canada’s spring break destination, Kelowna is also dubbed “Napa Valley North.” The region is a microclimate renowned for its scenic beauty, fruit farming, vineyards, wineries, acclaimed restaurants, and dining scene. Kelowna and Penticton's full-service airports are located roughly an hour and a half drive to the lodge.

Despite proximity to town, the region is remote and difficult to access, with vast swaths of the outfitting territory remaining virtually un-hunted. The hunting area is largely sub-alpine timber interspersed with logged or burnt areas at relatively low elevations. Some Mountain Lion hunting locations in BC can include alpine meadows, river valleys, or agricultural/pasture land fringe habitats, all interconnected by a labyrinth of old decommissioned logging roads.

Conditions range depending on the hunt and the subsequent season. Mid-late November Lion-Moose combo hunts have the fall colors settled to the forest floor. Northern winds, while not overly frigid, bring a chill to the air. Snow should be expected and certainly facilitates hunting. Mid-late winter hunts see temperatures below freezing for the most part, especially at night or at higher elevations. Equipment requirements vary slightly between late November and winter Mountain Lion hunts, so clients are encouraged to pack and dress according to the weather. Layered clothing and tailored footwear are recommended.

The main lodge is a lovely open concept, riverside ranch house located in a remote valley setting with great views and plenty of privacy. It is also situated directly in the Mountain Lion hunting area to minimize commuting time. There are many creature comforts, such as a full-service kitchen, a large dining room, a common lounge, running water, flushing toilets, electricity, and private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Clients also benefit from a pool table, dart board, full Wi-Fi, digital TV, and cell service.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast line-up while Mountain Lion hunting in Canada, including many favorites such as Eggs Benny, French Toast or pancakes, bacon, muffins, yogurt, fruit, coffee, juice, or cereal. Lunches are usually bagged and packed to keep hunters out all day in the field. Sandwiches, wraps, fruit, baked goods, chips. and candy, along with bottled water or Gatorade, are typical. Daylight hours are short in the winter so it’s important to make it count. For dinner, enjoy a choice of steaks, game roasts, grilled chicken, pasta, or pork loins with all the sides and trimmings like veggies, potatoes, soup, or salad - as well as a revolving dessert menu!

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive at either the Kelowna or Penticton, British Columbia airports, where they are greeted by the outfitter or his staff. The areas for the Mountain Lion hunt are roughly a 1.5 hour drive from the airport.

Travel Suggestions: Kelowna or Penticton are easily reached via short commuter flights by various airlines (primarily Air Canada and Westjet), with the best connections occurring in Vancouver, BC, as well as Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta. Direct flights from the US are also available. The lodge is also accessible by road for any clients wishing to drive in personal or rental vehicles.

Post-hunt, skulls of Mountain Lions are carefully skinned, boiled, and fully cleaned by the outfitter if desired ($300), while hides are skinned and can be fleshed and salted by the outfitter personally ($300) - again if desired. After the season, the outfitter delivers all trophies to a capable taxidermist in the Okanagan Valley who can do the complete work or prep, permit, crate, and deliver trophies to his shipping agent or expeditor in Kelowna to be shipped nationally or internationally. Turnaround time ranges from 8-12 months.

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