Mountain Lion Outfitters?

[SwoopSJ]

I'm in the process of planning a trip to hunt mountain lion / cougar.  I've done a lot of web-based research, but there are too many outfitters spread across too many states for me to even begin to make a decision.  I was hoping some of you may have done some hunting of this nature and could recommend a good outfitter.  I would prefer to avoid the use of horses or mules, if possible, but have no other preferences regarding the style of hunt.  The horses and mules could be overlooked, also if the particular hunt is worth it.  As always, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Swoop

[ratcatcher55]

Charlie Leeder, Leeder Hunting in New Harmony, Utah.

I took a realy nice tom with Charlie and his son Shad. He also guided a friend to a great cat.

Leeder Hunting
Charles Leeder
P.O. Box 551
278 East 900 South
New Harmony, Utah 84757
E-Mail: leederhunting@hotmail.com

Highly recommended

[shooter32]

Swoop, Fred Eichler is a good guy and will work his butt off for you!

http://www.fulldrawoutfitters.net/lion.htm

[ratcatcher55]

They do use mules but they are broke to non riders. You'll have no problems with them.

[fightingquaker13]

Assuming cash is not the main object (lions ain't cheap), I would start with Gray's Sporting Journal. They are, for my money, the best hunting/fishing mag out there. Very few how to's, no product placements, no "how to bag a monster buck at Wal-Mart", just well written stories about trips and recipes and some techniques. Its a bit spendy, but a hefty, beautifully bound  magazine you will never throw away. Anyway, every year they publish a "Guides Issue". This is a catalog with a few articles. Thing is, in years passed (I don't know their policy now), all advertizers had their references checked before they were accepted. Also Cabela's has a guides catalog, which I know lttle about, but it too might be worth a look and they will send you the catalog for free. Also, for what you'll drop on a lion hunt, think about African Plains game. It is (relatively) cheap now. Airfare is low, the market is hurting and bargains are to be had.
FQ13 who demands a trip report. Check out Gray's regardless, you will be amazed at how good a magazine it is, and has benn for decades.
http://grayssportingjournal.com/
PS a sample of some old articles from Grays, you don't find stuff like this elsewhere, I'd try The Season
http://grayssportingjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=32&Itemid=78

[Sponsor]

[SwoopSJ]

Thanks for the help, guys.  I have requested information from the outfitters or sources that you all have suggested and, hopefully, will be able to start serious planning very soon.  I'll definitely post details and pictures after this trip, as I'll have to do a little bragging.  (Hopefully, I'll have something to brag about.)  If you think or hear of any more outfitters that excel with mountain lion, please let me know. 

Swoop
   

[fightingquaker13]

Swoop
Check this out. No guarantees and caveat emptor, but it seems like a square deal.
FQ13
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0038643619742a&type=product&cm_mmc=CRR-_-RLP-_-619742-_-productname_link&cmCat=CRR

Bringing home a trophy big-game animal is every hunter's dream, but finding the right unit and drawing a tag for that special location isn't that easy. Cabela's has done the research for you and simplified the process with our 2010 Trophy Applications and Guide Service catalog. Through our Trophy Applications and Guide Service, you can apply for tags in as many states for as many species as you want, and you won't have to pay for any tag until you draw it because Cabela's will front your tag fees. All you have to do is supply a non-refundable state license/application fee, any bonus point fees and a reasonable consultation fee. And once you draw a tag, you can use our knowledgeable Cabela's Outdoor Adventures Group for help in hiring a reputable outfitter. Our catalog lists hunt applications for 11 western states, plus Alaska, South Dakota and Kansas. Order the Trophy Applications and Guide Service catalog and we'll pay you $2. Each catalog contains a $2 coupon toward your next Cabela's merchandise mail order. In effect, we are giving you your dollar back, plus one of ours. Limit one each per customer.

Their outfitters page is here. The reason I'm going to this much trouble is that I  (and the rest of the board) want to live vicariously. We want a full report and don't care if you do flub the shot. We won't razz you (hell, who am I kidding, we will, but all in good fun fun ), just give us a good trip report, the good, the bad and the ugly. I in return, promise to do the same with my old man's crazy fishing trip. It may not be pretty, but it will be entertaining.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/inthefield/trips/pages/trips-home-content.jsp?cm_re=oa*left*home&oaPage=home