In the 5-minute Facebook video below, Fred Eichler discovers a Colorado mountain lion track on fresh snow a half-mile from his house. He releases one of his tracking dogs, Jane, on the track, and soon she’s “barking treed,” so Fred grabs his Bear Takedown Recurve and heads for Jane’s location.
The date is Jan. 1, 2025, and as Fred explains, he used the same arrow on a deer the day before. The lion doesn’t run far, and soon Fred is sneaking close to the treed cat. Watch closely and you’ll see the lion jump out of the tree, then flee with Jane in pursuit. Thankfully, the lion doesn’t attack Jane, and it climbs another tree almost immediately.
Yes, Fred is an outstanding shot with a recurve, but this is no slam-dunk opportunity. The range is 25 yards, the angle is steeply upward, and a mountain lion isn’t a big target. But sneaking closer isn’t really an option.
The lion is providing a perfect broadside shot with no branches or twigs in the way to deflect the arrow, and if Fred attempts to close the distance, the lion could move in the tree, resulting in a poor shot angle, or it could jump to the ground again.
Fred’s arrow hits exactly where he’s aiming, and as he lines up a follow-up shot, the lion falls from the tree. This is a dangerous moment, especially for a tracking dog. Even mortally wounded, a lion could quickly kill a dog before it expires. You can hear the worry in Fred’s voice when he yells to Jane. Fortunately, Jane remains safe.
I have friends who tell me that mountain lion meat is delicious, and certainly Fred’s family will feast on this lion. And removing it from the mountains will no doubt save a few deer, too.
P.S. Be sure to turn up the volume on the video for best viewing.
