Z CIRCULAR 6, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



any appreciable leiiorth of time. Because of their remarkable endur- 

 ance, hunting them requires stamhia and strength. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service hunters on the fresh track of a mountain lion have trailed the 

 animal for 10 consecutive hours or longer before treeing it. 



Like the bobcat, the mountain lion relies on its senses of smell and 

 sight in much of its foraging. Its smell is keener than that of the bob- 

 cat, though less so than that of either wolf or coyote. It can see its 

 prey from a long distance, but unquestionably it does much of its 

 silent, cautious stalking by the sense of smell alone, taking advantage 

 of every cover until within striking distance of its victim. Its sense 

 of hearuig also is acute. 



In making a kill, the mountain lion brings its victim to the ground 

 with a stunning impact of its entire weight. It generally attacks at 

 the throat and breast. 



After making a kill and taldng 1 meal, the mountain lion will some- 

 times, though not always, bury the remainder of the carcass under 

 leaves or litter, to return later. Wliether it will thus return depends 

 to some extent on weather conditions and on its ability to find prey 

 elsewhere. Its killing and feeding habits vary in other ways also. 

 In one instance, a lone lion attacked a herd of ewes and killed 192 in 

 1 night. Frequently more than 1 mountain lion may feed on a single 

 carcass. Near 1 cow carcass the writer once trapped 6 lions, of 

 various sizes, evidently the parents and 2 litters of ofispring. 



The presence of a mountain lion on a range may be indicated by its 

 kill of deer or other game, even though domestic stock may not have 

 been disturbed. If a kill is made in fall or winter, the meat may re- 

 main fresh for many weeks. 



CONTROL METHODS 



Where the control of mountain lions is required, the principal means 

 employed is the use of trained hounds. Kentucky fox hounds and a 

 cross between the Walker hound and the bloodhound have been found 

 most satisfactory for trailing mountain lions, though any good dog may 

 tree one. The hunter must keep up with the pack, however, for a 

 mountain lion that fights at bay instead of treeing may kill all the 



Figure 1. — Trap, No. 4^, most suitable for mountain lions, with drag chain and double- 

 pronged drag attached. 



