Guided Mountain Lion Hunts in Arizona
Chase Arizona lions behind our hound pack, in the snow or on dry ground. Over-the-counter tag, no draw, and six days to find your tom.
- 6-day hunts
- Sept to May
- OTC tag
- Trained hounds
- Guided price
- $6,500
- Length
- 6 days
- Season
- Sept to May
- Tag
- OTC nonpermit
- Method
- Hounds
- Bag limit
- 1 per year
The dogs do the finding. You make the call.
Mountain lions are almost never seen by chance. They cover big country at night and hole up in rimrock and thick timber by day. A good hound pack changes the odds.
Our dogs work a fresh track until the lion trees or bays. By the time you get there, the cat is holding, and you can take your time. You can judge a mature tom, take photos, and decide. If it is not the lion you want, the dogs are pulled and we hunt on.
That selectivity is also why hound hunting is good management. Females with kittens can be identified and passed.
What to expect
- Before daylightWe run roads and check crossings for fresh tracks, in snow when we have it and in dirt when we do not.
- The castOnce we find a good track, the hounds go down and start working it.
- The raceThe chase can last minutes or hours. You follow on foot, often through steep, rocky canyons.
- At the treeYou catch your breath, look the lion over, and take your shot if it is the right cat.
Remember, it is hunting, not shopping. Some days the dogs strike early, some days we cover a lot of country first. Six days gives you real time.
Where we hunt lions
We hunt Arizona's lion country from the high ponderosa pine forests to the desert chaparral and rimrock below. Snow makes tracking easier, but we run dry-ground hunts too. The hounds can work a track on dirt.
Arizona manages lion harvest by zones made up of game management units. Each zone closes once it hits its harvest threshold. We watch the tracker and plan hunts where the zones are open and the cats are.
Call us to talk about which units fit your dates.
Arizona mountain lion tag basics
- No draw. Lions are hunted on a nonpermit tag, sold over the counter and online. You also need an Arizona hunting license.
- One lion per calendar year.
- Zone closures. A zone closes at sundown the Wednesday after it reaches its harvest threshold.
- After the harvest: report within 48 hours, and present the lion for inspection within 10 days by appointment.
Regulations change each year. Always check the current AZGFD mountain lion rules before your hunt. We help every client get it right.
$6,500 for a 6-day guided lion hunt
- Your guide and the full hound team
- Six days of hunting, extendable if needed
- Help with tags, reporting, and inspection
- Fully outfitted option: add $200 per day for lodging, meals, and transportation
Guided-only rate does not include lodging, meals, or transportation to the hunting area. Licenses and tags are purchased separately from AZGFD.
Fitness and gear
Lion hunting is one of the most physical hunts in the West. Expect long walks on steep, rocky ground, sometimes in snow. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the race. Good broken-in boots, warm layers, a daypack with water, and a reliable rifle or bow are the basics. We will send a full gear list when you book.
Lions taken with our hounds
"It was a real incredible experience for me. Having a knowledgeable hunting guide, great team of dogs, this hunt is one I will always remember. If you want to have an amazing experience then you have to go with Boykin Guides & Outfitters."
Mountain lion hunt FAQ
Do I need to draw a tag to hunt mountain lion in Arizona?
No. Mountain lion is hunted on a nonpermit tag, sold over the counter by Arizona license dealers and online through AZGFD. You also need a valid Arizona hunting license. There is no draw, so you can book this season.
How many lions can I take?
The Arizona bag limit is one mountain lion per calendar year.
When is lion season?
We run lion hunts from early September through the end of May. Harvest is managed by zone, and each zone closes at sundown the Wednesday after it reaches its harvest threshold. Booking earlier in the season gives you the most options.
How long is a lion hunt?
Our standard lion hunt is 6 days. Arizona residents can split it into two 3-day hunts to fit a work schedule. If we need a little more time, we can often extend.
How hard is a hound hunt?
It can be very demanding. Once the dogs strike a track, you may cover steep, rocky country on foot, in snow or on dry ground, to reach the tree. Tell us about your fitness when you call and we will plan around it.
Can I pass on a lion once it is treed?
Yes. With hounds, the lion is at the tree before you decide. That gives you time to judge a mature tom and pass on anything you do not want to take.
What do I have to do after I harvest a lion?
Arizona requires you to report the harvest within 48 hours and present the lion for inspection within 10 days, by appointment. We walk every client through it.
What is included in the price?
Guided hunts include your guide, the hound team, and the hunt itself. Lodging, meals, and transportation to the hunting area are on the hunter, or add $200 per day for a fully outfitted hunt with all three covered.
Check open dates
Zones close as the season goes, so earlier dates give you the most options. Call Doug or send your details and we will call you back.