Hello!!
New to the forum and new to trapping.
I have chance to trap mountain lion and wanted to give it a try.
I am looking for info on sets, baits, lures and techniques.
So far, I haven’t found any books or videos that were very helpful.
I am also looking to use long spring #5s.
Lastly, since this wouldn’t be on a ranch, setting up on a lion kill is probably not the way I will be able to go.
I appreciate any advice you might have!

The Sicilian

trap has to have 7 inches or less of a jaw spread in n.m. you can only trap them on private property or state property also

You need to do some research on the laws in NM before you go out and start setting. Based on what you are planning to do/use you are headed for arrest not success.

Longspring #5's are not legal. 6.5" maximum outside jaw spread (7" if outside laminated). Basically a Bridger #3 coilspring, Bridger #4 longspring or similar is as big as you can use. They also need to be offset. It's illegal to trap a lion on BLM or USFS property. It is legal on private property (with permission of course) and on state lease land (owned by the state land office not NMGF or any other state agency), however, since you state it wouldn't be on a ranch it sounds like you will be trapping on public land. That will likely be illegal. ALL FURBEARER TRAPPING LAWS APPLY.

You also need BOTH a trapping license and a cougar license (which has to be purchased at least 2 days prior to hunting/trapping for lions). You also must follow the season dates for normal furbearer trapping. You cannot use visible bait. ALL FURBEARER TRAPPING LAWS APPLY.

I would strongly encourage you to read the rule book and/or call a game warden before you commit a crime or possibly many crimes and in the process give NM trappers another black eye. We don't need any more illegal activity by folks who should know better. Please do everyone a favor and educate yourself before trying this.

As far as how to trap for lions:

Lions trapping techniques are very similar to bobcat trapping techniques but they are obviously much larger and your anchoring system needs to take that into account. Welded J hooks are strongly recommended. Set further back from your attractor/scent and make your stepping guides reflect a larger stride from a much larger animal.

If you are new to trapping or are just getting back into it there are a lot of laws that you can violate without knowing it so I'd also recommend you join the NM Trapper's Association as well as the National Trappers Association and Fur Takers of America. They can be a great source of information and can give you access to people who know what is legal and what isn't. I don't mean to jump all over someone who is excited to try a new sport, but trapping, especially in NM, is under constant attack and we don't want you to violate the law OR cause us to lose trapping because of illegal activity.

Welcome to trapperman bud. I got nothing too add but echo the statement of memorize your state regs. Otherwise i hope you keep it up in learning to trap.

Welcome pull up a chair and your favorite drink.

X2 danny and wronganswer.
+ you will need to follow both sets of rules for trapping lion (trapping regs and lion regs) such as quota check, exposed bait etc.... Also make sure you have passed the required cougar identification course online before you buy your lion tag and be absolutely 1000% certain you are trapping on state land. The state land can be patchy and surrounded by other lands.
Always have fun be careful and good luck.

Welcome from another person of Sicillian descent. My paternal great grandfather came over from Sant'Angelo di Brolo and my paternal great grandmother came over from Palermo.

Keith

Welcome to trapper man, Sicilian.

Thanks!!
I am trying to stick with long springs, any suggestions for those?

Thanks!!

Thanks!!
Just trying to learn what it takes!!

Don't get discouraged, but set every trap as if it was on the front page of The Ajbq. Journal cause if you screw up it will be! I have had some success with Lions, biggest thing I've found is time is on their side and when the snow comes the houndsmen start catching them and the quota is filled---it's over for me ! A sign they are around is they leave me the front leg of the coyote in my trap. A good tip a guy gave me is a cat won't turn its foot in the trap it will likely pull out if the trap closes on the side of the foot-----step over the jaw not in between. If or when you catch one it wasn't enough for me I have to keep at 'em! Its a good time to be a trapper!

Thanks!! I’ll do my best !!

[quote=Wronganswer]You need to do some research on the laws in NM before you go out and start setting. Based on what you are planning to do/use you are headed for arrest not success.

Longspring #5's are not legal. 6.5" maximum outside jaw spread (7" if outside laminated). Basically a Bridger #3 coilspring, Bridger #4 longspring or similar is as big as you can use. They also need to be offset. It's illegal to trap a lion on BLM or USFS property. It is legal on private property (with permission of course) and on state lease land (owned by the state land office not NMGF or any other state agency), however, since you state it wouldn't be on a ranch it sounds like you will be trapping on public land. That will likely be illegal. ALL FURBEARER TRAPPING LAWS APPLY.

You also need BOTH a trapping license and a cougar license (which has to be purchased at least 2 days prior to hunting/trapping for lions). You also must follow the season dates for normal furbearer trapping. You cannot use visible bait. ALL FURBEARER TRAPPING LAWS APPLY.

I would strongly encourage you to read the rule book and/or call a game warden before you commit a crime or possibly many crimes and in the process give NM trappers another black eye. We don't need any more illegal activity by folks who should know better. Please do everyone a favor and educate yourself before trying this.

As far as how to trap for lions:

Lions trapping techniques are very similar to bobcat trapping techniques but they are obviously much larger and your anchoring system needs to take that into account. Welded J hooks are strongly recommended. Set further back from your attractor/scent and make your stepping guides reflect a larger stride from a much larger animal.

If you are new to trapping or are just getting back into it there are a lot of laws that you can violate without knowing it so I'd also recommend you join the NM Trapper's Association as well as the National Trappers Association and Fur Takers of America. They can be a great source of information and can give you access to people who know what is legal and what isn't. I don't mean to jump all over someone who is excited to try a new sport, but trapping, especially in NM, is under constant attack and we don't want you to violate the law OR cause us to lose trapping

Wrong,
WOW!!!
You don’t know what you don’t know until the info hits you like a freight train!!
I appreciate your passion and your knowledge and as I stated, I am new to trapping and I joined the forum to learn more.
I can promise you that I intend NOT to break any laws or besmirch trapping in NM and maybe I should have looked into it more before I posted anything...live and learn.
I actually just joined the NMTA but with all the trouble I had just joining their organization I was not filled with confidence in finding a mentor.
Maybe you can spare some time if you happen to live close by?

Thanks

I actually did know about the test, the time frame for tags purchased, cougar license and trapping license.as well as quota check but that was as far as I got so far.
I will be digging deeper!!
Thanks!!

Hey!!!
Pleased to meet you!!
My grandparents are from a town called Cannacatti in the province of Agrigento.
Southwest Sicily

THANKS!

I went to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento back in 1998. It's an awesome place.

Keith

Thanks for the info!
If you don’t mind I hope to pick your brain a little further! LOL

It’s agin the law where I live.

You're welcome. Good luck

I tried digging up past threads and below is what I found that might help you the best. I thought there was a couple in the archives (have treasure chests of info) but no dice.
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/6479484/Searchpage/1/Main/484776/Words/%2Blion/Search/true/lion-traps#Post6479484