7 Day Mountain Lion Hunting in Craig, Colorado
Shared Trip
Active hunting
Sevenday guided mountain lion hunt in Colorado backcountryExpert guides with trained hounds for tracking and treeingRifle or archery options with lodging and gear provided
You've hunted whitetail, maybe taken a few elk, but nothing compares to tracking one of the most dangerous predators in North America. This 7-day mountain lion hunt with CJ Outfitters puts you deep in Colorado's backcountry, where the real wildcats roam. We're talking about serious terrain here - the kind that separates weekend hunters from those who live for the chase. With expert guides, top-rated hound dogs, and fair-chase methods that test every skill you've got, this hunt will push you harder than anything you've done before. Craig sits right in prime cat country, where the Rocky Mountain foothills meet endless wilderness. Pack your rifle, bow, or whatever legal weapon gets your blood pumping - we'll handle the rest.
This isn't your typical tree stand hunt. You'll wake up before dawn every day for seven straight days, fueled by coffee and the knowledge that today might be the day you cross paths with a 150-pound tom. Our guides have been working these mountains for decades, and they know every ridge, draw, and game trail where cats move. The hunt starts with finding fresh sign - tracks in snow, claw marks on trees, or scat that tells us we're in the right drainage. Once we cut a hot track, the hounds go to work. These aren't just any dogs - they're bred and trained specifically for mountain lions, with the stamina to cover miles of rough country and the nose to stay on a cold trail. You'll need to keep up as we follow the pack, sometimes hiking for hours through timber so thick you can barely see the sky. When those dogs tree a cat, your heart will pound like never before. That's when everything you've practiced at the range matters - one shot, clean and ethical, in terrain that might have you shooting uphill at 200 yards.
Mountain lion hunting is all about reading the country and understanding how these cats think. We'll teach you to spot the subtle signs most hunters miss - the way a lion drags its kill, how it uses ridgelines to travel, and why certain south-facing slopes hold more game. The terrain around Craig ranges from dense aspen groves to wide-open sagebrush flats, with elevations climbing from 6,000 feet up to timberline. Your legs better be ready for it. We'll cover 10-15 miles some days, gaining and losing thousands of feet of elevation as we work different drainages. The dogs do most of the tracking work, but you need to understand what they're telling you. A excited bark means they're on fresh scent, while a long, mournful howl usually means they've treed something. Weather plays a huge role too - fresh snow makes tracking easier, but it also makes the country harder to navigate. We provide all the specialized gear you'll need, from GPS units to emergency beacons, but make sure you bring quality boots and layers for Colorado's unpredictable mountain weather. Most shots happen quickly once a cat is located, so your weapon needs to be zeroed perfectly and you need to be comfortable shooting from unconventional positions.
Mountain lions in this part of Colorado are the real deal - apex predators that can weigh anywhere from 80 to 180 pounds, with the big toms pushing the upper end of that range. These cats are incredibly intelligent and have adapted to survive in some of the harshest country you'll find. During winter months, which is prime hunting season, lions follow elk and deer herds down from the high country, making them more accessible but also more concentrated in specific drainages. A mature tom can have a territory covering 100 square miles, and they're constantly on the move, checking scent posts and hunting prey. What makes mountain lion hunting so addictive is the unpredictability - you might glass one crossing an open hillside at 800 yards, or suddenly find yourself face-to-face with one at 30 feet when the dogs tree it in thick timber. Lions are ambush predators by nature, built for explosive speed and power rather than endurance. Once treed, they'll usually stay put until you arrive, giving you time to plan your shot and make sure it's ethical. The meat is actually quite good - similar to pork - and the hide makes a world-class trophy. Colorado's lion population is healthy and well-managed, with limited tags ensuring quality hunting and conservation of the species.
Seven days in Colorado's backcountry chasing mountain lions isn't just a hunt - it's the kind of experience that changes how you think about hunting altogether. You'll push your limits physically and mentally, learn from guides who've dedicated their lives to this pursuit, and hopefully take home a trophy that represents one of hunting's ultimate challenges. The single-hunter capacity means you get our complete attention and the best chance at success. Remember to plan your own meals since food isn't included, but we've got everything else covered - lodging, specialized gear, expert guides, and world-class hounds ready to work. Mountain lion tags in Colorado don't last long, and the best outfitters book up months in advance. If you're serious about adding a cat to your trophy room and testing yourself against one of North America's most formidable predators, this is your chance. Contact CJ Outfitters today to secure your dates and start planning the hunt you'll be talking about for the rest of your life.
Mountain lions are Colorado's largest wild cat, with mature adults weighing 80-160 pounds and stretching up to 8 feet nose to tail. These solitary hunters prefer rocky terrain, dense timber, and steep canyon country - exactly what we've got around Craig. They're active year-round, but winter tracking in fresh snow gives us the best advantage for following their trail. What makes lion hunting special is the chess match. These cats are incredibly smart and athletic, capable of 40-foot leaps and scaling near-vertical cliffs. The chase with hounds through rugged backcountry tests both hunter and dog team. Once treed, you'll need steady nerves for a clean shot. The meat's surprisingly lean and mild - think pork tenderloin. Here's an insider tip: always check north-facing slopes first thing in the morning. Lions will bed down in timber after a night hunt, and those cooler exposures hold their scent longer for the dogs to work.
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