For those of you that have trapped and held on to a mountain lion, what was the trap that did the trick? Just doing a little preplanning here and wanted to hear your experiences or even advice on what you may have heard from others who have held lions. At the present, my plan is to use MB 750's with the Alaskan Wolf setup including oversized swivels that are welded shut, inline shock springs and oversized threaded quick links to anchor the chains to a nearby tree. During my first attempt to catch a lion, it occurred to me during a trap check that I really didn't want to go looking for a lion on a drag. After experiencing how bobcats and lynx will lay still until they know they have been spotted, I decided that I really don't need that much excitement in my life. Added to the tools will be cast, offset MB 650's that are four coiled for bobcat sets or coyote sets where a lion may or may not make an appearance. I've also got a few Newhouse No. 4 DLS that are extremely stout.

You’re allowed to trap lions? I wish we were. We got lots of em. Bridger #3s hold em just fine most of the time. Mb 750 wolf set up is way more than you actually need to hold a lion. I’ve seen em held in 1.75 size traps several times.

I know an old boy here in tx that uses #4 DLS. catches just fine.

Bridger #3's sure do hold them, fully modified. Tied off to a tree with 1/8" cable.

They sure do mess up a good bobcat set

Seen several in #2s. Staking the trap is the biggest challenge.

Going to one of the very few spots where it's legal. Ran sets for five weeks last time and had to pull. Set on sign too. Planning a 2–3-month trip next time. I wish Arizona or Nevada or Wyoming, or Idaho or Montana would allow lion trapping. It would open up a whole new world for me.

Just make a bunch of really good exposed bobcat sets, a lion will be sure to get in and mess one up lol

#1 coil is optimum.

Thanks for the responses so far. Lion paws are so darn big, finding a happy medium on jaw spread and holding ability is what caused me to ask for advice. I've held big male bobcats in MB 450's and lynx in MB 650's. Both had plenty of holding ability but lacked on jaw spread compared to the paw size of the catches. Getting a good pad catch related to paw size and jaw spread is my goal.

Would you mind a ride along? I want to see your method.

Quality traps for sure. Set some in Alaska for wolf. I've also got a few Alaska 9's. Don't know about me lugging that big of iron up into the heads of canyons and saddles. Sounds like work! About killed me when I did it with MB 750's.

get a mule. mule will also tell you if a lion is around

get one out of a nice tennessee walker mare. big and gaited

If I go back to where I was before, A mule would serve several purposes. Hauling my butt around would be job number one and two being an early warning system as you described. It took me the better part of a week to actually find a lion track on the first trip. If memory serves, I remember quite a few old pictures of lion hunters with their dogs and their horse. Not a bad idea at all.

Your idea of using MB 750 wolfers will work. You can just wrap the chain through the drag points to secure to a tie off to avoid tracking a lion. Thats what I usually do. MB 650 cast are also fully capable of holding lions including mature toms but the jaw spread is not what I would rely on for specifically targeting lions. You will still occasionally lose a lion no matter the trap. In 33 years of trapping lions both for the feds and privately I've only lost one out of a foot snare. If targeting just lions I prefer the foot snares and is a huge difference in packing in equipment into remote sites. PM me and we can visit some more.

Check out the fully modified TS 85 that Rodney Jordan out of Texas produces.

Absolutely! Thanks.

When we could trap them and keep them I used a KB5.5, 15 to 20 feet of 2/0 chain on a good hook welded everything and a JC Connor 100 lb shock spring. I check traps with an Airedale shot them all with a 22 handgun used a good cat lure and a different smell I make that really cranked them up got pictures of a big old one spent 5 minutes rolling n rubbin'.

I have caught plenty of lions in a bear foot snare. I don't know if your heart is set on a steel trap, but the foot snare rarely misses or lets go. I always had the cable around a tree to hold them. There would be a new learning curve with them however. Best tip I could give is that you can force there foot to go where you want.