HINTS ON
MOUNTAIN-LION
TRAPPING
Issued April, 1933
HINTS ON MOUNTAIN-LION TRAPPING
By Stanley P. Young, Principal Biologist, in Charge, Division of PredatoryAnimal and Rodent Control, Bureau of Biological Survey
THE AMERICAN MOUNTAIN-LION (Felis concolor) is oneof the largest predatory animals of the United States, sometimesweighing more than 200 pounds. Game conservationists recognizeit as the greatest natural enemy of deer. Stockmen learnto their sorrow that when game is scarce the mountain-lion attacksyoung domestic stock, particularly colts, lambs, and kids, and evenfull-grown horses and cattle. In some western areas it is practicallyimpossible to raise young colts or sheep on open stock rangesin the rough, rocky, and broken country that forms an ideal habitatfor the mountain-lion.
The range of the mountain-lion, which is known also as cougar,panther, puma, and catamount, includes at present the large wildernessareas of the United States west of the one hundredth meridian.The heaviest infestation is in the Rocky Mountain States and southwardthrough the desert mountain ranges of Arizona, Texas, andNew Mexico. Farther westward mountain-lions are much lessnumerous, except in the coastal ranges of California, Oregon, andWashington, where they are somewhat abundant.
For the protection of domestic livestock and of large game incertain areas it is necessary to keep mountain-lions well under control.In spite of control measures, however, these predators willprobably long continue to exist in the United States. There aremany areas where normal hunting and the vicissitudes of the wildcan be depended upon to keep their numbers within reasonablelimits. There are also great stretches of wilderness areas thatprobably will never be touched by any mountain-lion-controlcampaigns.
This leaflet, intended to help stockmen and game protectors inlocal control of mountain-lions, is based on the experience of BiologicalSurvey predatory-animal hunters. A similar publication (LeafletNo. 78) discusses control measures for such smaller membersof the wild-cat family as the bobcat and the Canada lynx.
Natural Food and Feeding Habits of the Mountain Lion
Mountain lions find most of their prey near the rougher andmore inaccessible canyons, and in such places they live and breedwith least disturbance. One