Best Dog Breed for Hunting Mountain Lions

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Ethan Smith
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Call them cougars, mountain lions, pumas, or catamount, these secretive animals attract the passion of hardcore houndsmen. Be it to hunt or for conservation, hounds play an important role in mountain lion management.

What is the best dog breed for mountain lion hunting? Houndsmen have a variety of preferences, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Plotts, Curs, Walkers or most likely a combination of these breeds. Houndsmen often breed or buy pups to fit their hunting style, and the region they hunt. There are no breed-specific competitions or clubs like there are in other hunting dog worlds that tend to force a stricter purebred approach. For houndsmen casing mountain lions it’s about results, not pedigree.

That said established breeds are a great place to start. I’m going to walk you into a detailed profile of a number of breeds common to cougar hunting. Additionally, you’ll know the strengths and weaknesses every breed has during the hunt.

Common Mountain Lion Hunting Dog Breeds

These breeds are the most common ones I’ve seen used for mountain lion hunting. These ones are guaranteed to deliver the best results.

Redbone Coonhound

Out of all Coonhounds, this breed has a well-balanced temperament. They can be quiet and laid-back as long as you feed their natural instinct of hunting and exercising.

They’re exceptionally hard workers. That’s why it’s common to see them as working dogs on farms. This is even more evident in hunting. They’ll tirelessly follow the mountain lion until they tree or corner it.

If you’ve never heard them baying before, you’ve missed a lot. When they successfully complete the hunting mission, you’ll hear an energetic and melodic baying that will fill you with an imminent joy.

Their most notable weakness is the increased liability to put on weight if they were fed carelessly, even if they maintain their natural activity level.

Also, their mental maturation is slower than their physical development. Hence, puppies won’t realize how strong they are, which will often leave your house in chaos.

Therefore, until they’re at least 2 years old, I wouldn’t recommend having them in close contact with your babies.

Facts:

  • Temperament: even-tempered and amiable
  • Height: 22-27 inches for a male, 21-26 inches for a female
  • Weight: 45-70 pounds

Strengths:

  • Hard workers
  • Strong scenthounds
  • Produce melodic baying calls

Weaknesses:

  • Can put on weight if poorly fed
  • Delayed mental maturation

Bluetick Coonhound

This is my favorite breed in terms of looks. You just fall in love with his speckled black and blue coat. But when a Bluetick goes hunting, it’s the performance that’s going to impress you.

They might be slower than other Coonhounds, but they compensate this with an amazing cold nose that tracks far older trails. Moreover, they can hunt well during the night owing to their strong eyesight.

These two abilities alone will get the sneakiest mountain lion treed in no time.

Their persistent hunting temperament is sometimes reflected within the household. Don’t get me wrong, though. They can be devoted to you and your babies. But they can’t be trusted with small pets, especially non-canines.

At older ages, they have an increased tendency to develop a cataract. While this will obviously affect their ability to chase, their noses remain powerful.

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[Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a whitetail deer in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire within the ideal range of suitable calibers for whitetail deer hunting?” our answer is: No, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is UNDERKILL for whitetail deer hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Animal Species Whitetail Deer Muzzle Energy 250 foot-pounds Animal Weight 210 lbs Shot Distance 150 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire round is approximately 250 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male whitetail deer? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male whitetail deer is approximately 210 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in whitetail deer hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for whitetail deer to be approximately 150 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the whitetail deer being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest whitetail deer - and to this question, the response again is no, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is UNDERKILL for whitetail deer hunting. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting whitetail deer to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. 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Blueticks are also prone to ear infections more than their Coonhound cousins. Hence, you should regularly clean them.

Facts:

  • Temperament: persistent and devoted
  • Height: 22-27 inches for a male, 21-25 inches for a female
  • Weight: 55-80 pounds for a male, 45-65 pounds for a female

Strengths:

  • Cold-nosed ability
  • Persistent
  • Long powerful baying

Weaknesses:

  • Slower than other Coonhounds
  • Prone to cataract and ear infections

Plott Coonhound

Want to corner an intimidating large mountain lion? Then a Plott will be of service. All Coonhounds are famous for their fearless hunting. But Plotts are the most aggressive. That’s why they’re well known for hunting big game like bears.

I think this tracks back to their unique ancestry. They’re the only Coonhounds that don’t descend from English foxhounds. Instead, they were bred from German boar-hunting dogs.

Their baying is quite distinctive with a high pitch. I believe this helps in treeing mountain lions faster.

These features make them excellent watch-dogs. They’ll instantly warn you against intruders and relentlessly fight against any danger.

The only thing I don’t like about them is their rapid boredom. They have a high homing instinct. Hence, they won’t be willing to pursue a mountain lion that went far away leaving old trails.

Additionally, compared to other Coonhounds, they have a higher tendency for hip dysplasia. But this usually develops at older ages when they’re too tired to hunt anyways.

Facts:

  • Temperament: courageous and intelligent
  • Height: 20-25 inches for a male, 20-23 inches for a female
  • Weight: 50-60 pounds for a male, 40-55 pounds for a female

Strengths:

  • Fearless and aggressive against the large game
  • High-pitched intimidating baying

Weaknesses:

  • Not persistent like other Coonhounds
  • Higher possibility for hip-dysplasia

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Treeing Walkers are widely known for their high speed and long-lasting endurance. These features will make them able to chase mountain lions tirelessly until they’re eventually treed waiting for you to finish the job.

Contrary to other Coonhounds, they can be trained to climb small trees. That’s how they can push preys up to further cornered areas. No prey can escape this easily.

But there’s a trade-off to this ability. If you choose to keep a Treeing Walker as a pet, you’ll have to surround your house with a 6-foot fence at the least. Otherwise, your neighbors might not be friendly with you.

However, if you’re looking to hunt distant mountain lions, then I wouldn’t recommend a Treeing Walker. They have a much colder nose than their cousins. Hence, they can get distracted easily by fresher trails.

With their hot noses and incredible speed, I’d definitely recommend them for field trials.

When a Treeing Walker is trailing a prey, they produce distinctive long bayings. But when they successfully corner it, they bay in a short powerful manner. This is quite helpful when you’re hunting at night and you can’t see what your dog is up to.

Facts:

  • Temperament: highly enduring and even-tempered
  • Height: 22-27 inches for a male, 20-25 inches for a female
  • Weight: 50-70 pounds

Strengths:

  • Notably faster than other Coonhounds
  • Persistent

Weaknesses:

  • Hot nose

Black and Tan Coonhound

Do you want a breed that never leaves an incomplete hunt? A Black and Tan is definitely what you’re looking for. Known for their powerful cold noses, they’re perfect to trail mountain lions at a large distance.

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People even say that a Black and Tan is a nose with a dog attached to it!

Although they’re often mellow, they can prefer to follow their independent nature and misbehave during a hunt. They typically go after the prey and think on their own while leaving you behind.

That’s why it’s important to train them as puppies to work under your command.

They can be loving and caring as pets. However, their independent nature will be a bummer to playful kids.

Due to their large droopy ears, they require constant ear cleaning. Otherwise, they might develop a serious ear infection.

Moreover, they have an increased chance to have hip dysplasia when compared to their cousins. But luckily, they both develop it in a similar old age.

Facts:

  • Temperament: independent and persistent
  • Height: 25-27 inches for a male, 23-25 inches for a female
  • Weight: 65-110 pounds

Strengths:

  • Strong cold noses
  • Persistent attitude

Weaknesses:

  • High chance for an ear infection and hip dysplasia
  • Independent dogs may misbehave

Mountain Cur

Mountain Curs are one of the hound mixed-breeds. When the English settlers migrated to the USA in the 1940s, they brought different types of Terrier breeds with them.

It’s thought that breeding of these Terriers with the native American dogs led to the emergence of the Mountain Curs.

Like most of the other Curs, they were bred to herd, hunt, and guard the homes of their owners. That’s why I think they provide the right balance between a pet and a hunting dog.

Although they were originally bred to hunt small prey like rabbits, they can perform exceptionally well in a mountain lion pursuit.

Why? For starters, they have the strength and agility of a regular hound. But my most favorite feature is that they can be trained to climb trees. Therefore, mountain lions won’t stand a chance.

Due to their droopy ears, they’re prone to skin infections and wax buildup. Hence, you should pay special attention to their cleaning. Otherwise, they might become deaf.

Moreover, their coat is known to develop regular irritations. This is especially true for pets that are kept inside for long periods.

Facts:

  • Temperament: intelligent and obedient
  • Height: 18-26 inches for a male, 16-24 inches for a female
  • Weight: 30-60 pounds

Strengths:

  • Obedient
  • Can be trained to climb trees

Weaknesses:

  • Prone to ear and skin infections

Aside from the dog breeds, I thought I should share with you other information that’s essential for every mountain lion hunter to know.

Mountain Lion Hunting Season

Generally, the best season to hunt them is winter. The snowy ground makes it easier to track them. However, each state may impose a specific period for hunting. So make sure to check your state’s law to avoid legal problems.

It’s important to note that some states, like Oregon, don’t allow the use of dogs to pursue or kill mountain lions. Others, like Montana, allow it within certain months.

Legal Regulations

As you may know, you need to purchase a license from your state’s wildlife agency to be legally allowed to hunt mountain lions.

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Some states have a specific quota after which the hunting season is closed. In those states hunters must check that the quota has not been reached before hunting the next day.

Fully review the regulations for where you are hunting. If you are successful you may be required to check-in the carcass and hide of your mountain lion in your state’s wildlife agency. Biologists know incredibly little about these animals. That’s why they want to gather as much information as they can.

Required Caliber

If you decide to go with rifles, then I recommend using something like .300 Savage, .300 Lapua, .308 Winchester, 300 Blackout or .444 Marlin.

I know what you’re thinking, these look notably overkill considering the animal size. And yes, they are.

But mountain lions are dangerous, even when wounded. Actually, a wounded mountain lion may become frustrated to the point that it goes for one last attack. You never know what can happen.

That’s why you have to take this animal down as clean and fast as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the characteristics of a good mountain lion dog?

Above all, a mountain lion hunting dog has to have an obedient temperament. A strong cold nose is also essential to properly track sneaky mountain lions.

Fearlessness is an obvious character to be able to stand against the hisses and growls of a mountain lion. Speed, agility, stamina, and strength are generally wanted in any hunting dog.

Do these breeds make good family pets?

Yes. Outside the hunting ground, most of these breeds can be loving and caring for your family. They show loyalty and friendliness as long as you take good care of them.

Also, they provide the best protection. Plott Coonhounds, for example, are famous watch-dogs.

However, as they bay and bark louder than other breeds, your neighbors may disapprove of them.

Can these breeds live inside?

Again, yes. Nearly all the breeds I mentioned can be taken inside the household. However, as these dogs were bred to hunt, you should give them the chance to satisfy this instinct.

Take them for regular walks, field trials, or even raccoon hunting. Otherwise, the dog will get bored and start to aggressively misbehave.

Moreover, some breeds have delayed mental maturation, like the Redbone Coonhound. This means that a Redbone puppy may be unable to realize how strong he is.

Consequently, having them as pets may damage your property and possibly harm your children.

Do mountain lions ever kill the dogs hunting them?

Mountain lions are strong carnivores. In terms of size, they are the fourth largest cat after tigers, lions, and jaguars.

So technically, yes. They can kill a hunting dog. But hunting with a pack of more than 2 dogs will drastically reduce the likelihood of dog injuries.

Also, Coonhound bayings are found to intimidate mountain lions. Therefore, they tend to run and climb trees to avoid combat.

To Sum Up

If you have interest, find a mentor, get a pup and get on a trail. These dogs make great companions and great pets. Lastly, good luck! I wish you a safe and fruitful hunt.

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