I've been out hunting the hounds on and off all winter, and have been cutting tracks about every day and getting treed from time to time as well. I've also had a hunter or two along but we've walked away from a few toms for one reason or another. Anybody that's ever been under the tree with me knows I seldom push anybody to kill, and more times than not I'm tickled to death to see them walk away, cause to me killing is a personal thing and has little to do with hunting, but is only the end result of the hunt if a person chooses.
We put this lion up one day last week for a hunter and he chose to walk away, and I told him before and after it didn't bother me one damn bit. This tom had some of his right ear missing, a scar under his left eye and two or more toes gone on his left front foot. He had plenty of character but personally I like to know there are lions living and roaming my hunting areas that have lived a rough life like many of us have.
I believe that the lion population is making a come back, as I've found tracks in the dirt or snow every time I've gone afield this year since the end of deer season.
Just another nice tom lion I left in the tree.........
Hope that you all have had a great winter and are looking forward to bear as much as I am..........
ike
