Mountain Lion Gear Guide: What to Pack for a Winter Hunt
Lion hunts start on fresh snow and end in steep country behind hounds. Dress for cold starts and hard climbs.
Where and When You'll Hunt, and What the Weather Does
Most lion hunting with hounds happens on fresh snow, December through March. Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Nevada all run winter seasons, and many hunters book with a houndsman. Expect canyons, rimrock and timbered draws.
Season dates change by unit and year. Check Idaho Fish and Game, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Montana FWP before you plan.
| Place | Month | High / low | Rain and snowmelt (in.) | Snow (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon, ID 3,953 ft | Dec | 29° / 13° | 0.73 | 6.4 |
| Salmon, ID 3,953 ft | Jan | 28° / 11° | 0.58 | 6.7 |
| Salmon, ID 3,953 ft | Feb | 36° / 16° | 0.37 | 3.8 |
| Meeker, CO 6,390 ft | Dec | 36° / 9° | 0.88 | — |
| Meeker, CO 6,390 ft | Jan | 34° / 8° | 1.07 | — |
| Ely, NV 6,262 ft | Jan | 41° / 12° | 0.75 | 10.5 |
| Ely, NV 6,262 ft | Feb | 44° / 16° | 0.84 | 9.1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 monthly averages for each station (linked). Stations sit in valleys and towns; ridges and passes run colder and windier. A dash means the station does not publish a snow normal.
How to Dress and Pack for It
- Starts are cold: Salmon, Idaho averages 11°F on January mornings, and Meeker averages 8°F.
- Afternoons warm up (Ely averages 44°F in February). You will sweat on the chase, then freeze at the tree, so dress in layers you can vent.
- Insulated, stiff boots and slip-on traction keep you upright on icy side-hills.
- The shot is usually close, at a treed cat. Compact binoculars are plenty; save weight for water and layers.
- Chases cover miles off trail. Carry a satellite messenger and a headlamp.
Gear Picks for These Conditions
Picked for the weather and terrain above. Prices are from each store on Nov 11, 2026 and change often; confirm size and price at checkout. Clothing sections list men's and women's options side by side.
Boots and Traction
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 1000 (men's)
1,000 g insulation for snow and long cold sits.
$564.95
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 1000 (women's)
Women's 1,000 g version for snow tracking.
$529.95
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Kahtoola MICROspikes
Slip-on traction for icy trails and frozen side-hills.
$83.95
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Clothing: Men's
Kings XKG Foundation 260 Merino 1/4 Zip (men's)
Heavier merino base for frosty mornings.
$129.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At Kings Camo
Kings Weather Pro Insulated Jacket (men's)
Insulated, quiet jacket for still sits in the cold.
$169.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At Kings Camo
Kings XKG Insulated Gloves
Warm hands for glassing and trigger work.
$64.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At Kings Camo
Clothing: Women's
First Lite Kiln Hoody (women's)
Midweight merino hoody for frosty dawns.
$105.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Kings Women's Weather Pro Insulated Jacket
Women's insulated jacket for cold sits.
$179.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026. Limited sizes in stock.
See At Kings Camo
Kings Women's Hunter Wind-Defender Pro Fleece Bib
Windproof women's bib for stand and snow days.
$169.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At Kings Camo
Pack and Optics
Mystery Ranch Pop Up 30
Day pack with a frame that can haul a quarter or a cape.
$425.00
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x42
Wide view and light weight for close timber and trees on a chase.
$189.49
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Knife
HX Outdoors Rock Apex Fixed Blade
3.7 in. DC53 blade for field dressing and quartering.
From $95.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026. Readers get 10% off with code JEFFREYDAY; confirm the discount in your cart.
See At HX Outdoors
Safety and Warmth
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Two-way satellite texting and SOS where phones have no signal.
$349.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Petzl ACTIK CORE
Rechargeable headlamp for dark walks in and late pack-outs.
$87.95
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
HotHands Hand Warmers (10 pairs)
Pocket heat for long cold sits.
$12.99
Price on Nov 11, 2026.
See At OpticsPlanet
Before You Leave
Check current wildlife-agency regulations and your permit, confirm access and the forecast, test the kit with weight, and leave your route and return time with someone you trust.
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