Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Outfitters
Mountain Lion Hunts in Colorado
Nothing stirs the mind of a big game hunter more than the Rocky Mountains, backcountry ghosts, and teeth/claws! The key to a great Mountain Lion Hunt is the quality of the dogs used in pursuing a lion and the houndsman who is the keeper of the hounds.
The common perception of a Lion Hunt is a vision of a client shooting a Tom out of a tree, but there is so much more to the experience than just that. Hunting a mountain lion is more about the entire experience: finding the lion, tracking the lion, watching the dogs work, and learning from a houndsman with a ton of experience on not just the hunt and the hounds but the country itself!
Those who have booked with us describe the experience as spiritual. It is a long way from just shooting a treed Tom. It is a memory you will earn and never forget!
The Guided Mountain Lion Hunt
Our mountain lion hunts take place on thousands of acres of private and public land around the Middle Park/North Park region of Colorado, specifically near the towns of Kremmling, Granby, and Walden. We stage our clients around the town of Granby/Grand Lake, where there are ample hotels and Airbnb homes to rent, and plenty of amenities such as grocery stores and restaurants.
We book our Mountain Lion Hunts to be very flexible, and we need fresh snow to find these elusive predators and fresh snow to track, so once a deposit is received, the client goes on the call list. Once we get a fresh snowstorm, we call the clients by order of the date the deposit was received. The best months for mountain lion hunting in our part of Colorado are late November through early January. We enjoy an opportunity rate of 95% - 100%.
We look to harvest Toms in the 140 lb—200 lb range, understanding that a 200 lb Tom is very rare. The average size Tom harvested is around 140 lbs.
Mountain Lion meat is a delicacy. You are in for a treat if you harvest a good Tom, and we have processors in the area that will help prepare your lion for consumption.
Physically, this is an extreme hunt that is not for the faint of heart. Clients must be in tiptop shape to deal with the extreme country lions call home. It’s not just the terrain and the altitude that will affect the client. It's the constant adrenaline rush that takes over once a lion has been found, the dogs released, then coming face to face with a lion 30 feet in a tree watching below. This is hunting big game at its most intense, not to mention, a lion could easily eat you!
Mountain Lion Hunting Methods
We recommend either a pistol, bow, or a light 30-caliber rifle with no scope for this hunt. Weight is a huge factor as moving quickly across broken rough terrain and sometimes deep snow will take all of your energy; carrying a heavy rifle with a significant scope works against the client. Open sights are a must as most shots are in a tree with a lot of limbs and thick branches.
It is also important to practice before your hunt, as most people do not shoot open sights, only scopes, and this takes a bit of practice to be proficient. If you choose a bow or pistol, practice shooting at ranges of 10-30 yards and if possible, practice shooting at upward angles.
2024-2025 Colorado Mountain Lion Season Dates
Mountain Lion Rifle Hunting Season: November 25 - March 31
Over-the-Counter License (All clients must complete the Colorado Mountain Lion online course and pass the test with a score of 85% or better)
All Big Game Units in Colorado have a Mountain Lion quota. Once that quote is reached, that unit is closed to further lion hunting until the next calendar year.
To book your Colorado mountain lion hunt, give Earl a call at 720-218-4677.
Common Questions About Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting
What supplies do I need to bring with me when I hunt mountain lion at your ranch?
You will need to bring your weapon of choice, hunting clothes, boots, snow shoes, hiking poles, pack, binoculars, range finder, and camp clothes. All towels and sleeping gear are provided at the ranch, along with a fully stocked kitchen where our cook provides home-cooked meals. You may want to bring coolers or a freezer to get your meat home.
Will I be hunting private of public land in CO?
Both, we have permits on a ton of public land, but mostly you will be hunting on private land.
Do you charge Trophy Fees?
No, the price of the hunt applies for any lion harvested. “Trophy hunting” is considered illegal in Colorado, and all meat and edible parts of every animal must be consumed.
How big of a lion can I expect to harvest?
We harvest lions that weigh from 140 lbs. up to 180 lbs.
How much is a Lion Hunt?
See our mountain lion hunting packages on our rates page.
What is included in the price of the Mountain Lion hunt?
The price of the hunt includes guide fees, incredible views, and an awesome experience. Meals and lodging are not included.
What is NOT included in the price of the hunt?
- Meals & Lodging
- Hunting license
- Game processing (we will gut and skin your lion and prepare it for processing)
- Taxidermy
- Alcohol
- Guide/Cook Tips (Recommend a minimum of 10% to guide, and $100/hunter or guest to cook)
- Transportation to our lodge from your home (Once you are at the lodge, we transport clients to the daily hunting spots)
How many clients per each guide?
Our hunts are 1 Client for 1 guide.
How do I get a license to hunt mountain lion in Colorado?
Clients must pass an online test and get a certificate. Once you get your certificate, you can purchase your license over the counter. There is a unit quota; once that quota is met, the unit is closed to hunting, so we must check the quota every evening to make sure we can hunt the following days. If the quota is met and the unit is closed, we are done hunting in that unit for the year. If you still have hunting days, we will move those days to the following year or move to another unit if possible.
Do you help take care of my animal after it’s down?
Yes, our guides will gut the animal in the field. It will then be loaded up on our ranch equipment and taken to our skinning shed to be hung and skinned.
Do you have a list of references I can talk to who have hunted with you before?
Yes, we will provide references upon request. You can check out client reviews on our website's home page. Scroll down to the bottom to find the reviews, and you can also check out more reviews on our Facebook or Yelp pages.
How do I book a hunt with I&A Outfitters?
We require a 50% deposit to hold reservations. The hunt balance is then due either 90 days before your hunt start date or by July 30th if you are hunting in November.
What if I book a hunt and then need to cancel?
We understand that life sometimes interrupts your plans. Because of our hunt schedule and Colorado’s license system, we most likely will not be able to move you to another date in the same year. However, we do allow you to move your hunt to the following year provided that we are notified at least 60 days prior to your hunt start date; anything within 60 days of your hunt start date will not allow for any refunds or change in schedule. Cancellations are not allowed.
Do you offer any discounted pricing for youth hunters?
No, we work just as hard for youth hunters as we do for any other clients, so we do not offer any youth hunt pricing breaks.
Do you offer any discounts for more than 1 hunter in a group?
No, with our 1:1 client-to-guide ratio, we are set up to handle clients who come in by themselves or with groups.
What is the closest airport to your ranch?
Denver International Airport is 120 miles from our ranch. You can rent a car at the airport and drive to our ranch (drive time is approx. 3 hours). You can also fly into Cheyenne, Wyoming, or Steamboat Springs to shorten your drive by around 1-2 hours. If you have your own plane, you can land in Walden, Colorado, and we can pick you up! We DO NOT do pick-ups at any other airport.
What Game Management Units do you guide in?
GMU 6, 16, 17, 18, 171, and 181.
How physically demanding are your hunts?
Extreme. Our hunts are not easy. Deep snow and high elevation make chasing Lions in our country difficult. You will need snowshoes to get around, but most of your travel will be on an AT or UTV with snow tracks. You will still have to make the final stalk by foot, so snowshoes are a must!
What kind of weather can I expect on my hunt?
The Rocky Mountains have some of the most torrent weather in North America; expect sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and possible storms blowing in. One thing is certain: clients should be prepared for all seasons in one day!
What kind of success rate do your clients see?
95-100% opportunity rate. It is up to the hunter to make the most of that opportunity.
