My boy asked me what the best mountain lion trap is. I've certainly never trapped one, not legal and they are a real rarity here. I was able to give him a generic answer just because I know what some were caught in historically and what is marketed now. I know some folks hold them longer than they'd like to in their bobcat traps. But for any of you folks that have any experience on the matter, I'd love to hear your opinion on what makes a good lion trap. Thanks for any info.

I had one pull-out of a 4 1/2 Newhouse once. Might have been too much trap; there is such a thing. Also had one pull-out of a #3 Newhouse. Guessing #4 would be about right, or probably MB750.

I have never caught a lion but have pursued some cougars when I had been overserved. If George needs info on chasing (or avoiding) cougars I am happy to tell him all about it.

I'm going to try real hard to make sure my boys don't have your phone number when they are teenage, lol. If they are anything like me, the questions won't involve avoiding them.

And thank you waggler.

The late Bill Applegate used 4 1/2 Newhouses.

I have caught a few, on purpose I use the MB750 wolf traps, have caught them in #3’s while bobcat trapping, they will hold one if it’s not a giant cat. We have to release if livestocks not involved.

wws

I would think the 4 1\2 new house would be a good trap. Coil springs probably a 750 Alaskan or fully worked Bridger #5. But the bigger long spring traps might do a better job.

I don't know why that didn't occur to me, as I recently acquired one of his traps, though it's not one that he got around to modifying. Thank you.

When they are old enough to have a phone (16) they should have my number programmed in on speed dial. They are your offspring so will likely need bail money sooner or later. That reminds me of a time my grandpa "rescued me" someplace I shouldn't have been being I wasn't old enough to have a drivers license. He drove into town after 10 PM, got my old pickup started and NEVER said a word to my parents about it.

That's funny, 160. My emergency contact was an old farmer that I worked for occasionally. He got me out of a few interesting situations without informing my old man. One time it took a D-6 cat and a flatbed to get me out of trouble, and he never uttered a word.

Wow, I never dated any women THAT big.

If they stray too far south make sure they have my number….

No one believes that… Just Saying.

If staked properly 650s will hold them.

Thank you to Mike and Rob for the entertainment, we have kin in Iowa so we'll have to get the boys your number, Mike. They're likely to get in a bind down there someday and need some sound advice, or a doughnut dealer.

And thank you everyone else for the information.

I still want to hear more about this gal you were running around with that required a D6 and a flatbed......

Her dad had good hunting property, and I made several poor decisions. And that's all I'll say on the matter.

The first one I caught was in a #3 Victor Coil, it held for quite a while, but when I tracked it down, it was just a neat little pile of Trap parts. Another one in a 550 had to be ( put down ) because a team of Wardens couldn’t get the trap off of his foot.

If lions are the target, Livestock Protection Company #7 or #8.

After catching exactly one lion, I can assure you that an Alaskan #9 held it securely with minimal foot damage and no damage to the trap.

No, we don't have lions in Interior AK, but for several years I put in some time each fall/winter on a ranch in northern NM and got to legally try it.

Pete