DYI Lion hunt and needed advice

[oconee]

Planning a few trips to NM this winter and am having a hard time deciding on the area I need to spend my time in. I will be heading out on snow fronts because of my inexperienced hounds and will be walking my dogs on any snow tracks I can possibly find. I've researched a couple areas and would like any info on the southern half if Zone C. I noticed it has a huge quota and assumed that meant a very dense population of lions but became confused when I read the harvest report and found the harvest was less than half the quota last year. I don't know if that means the numbers are lower than I assumed or if the conditions were tough last year or mabe its a rough terrain Zone and many hunters spend there time elsewhere? I realize I will be basically searching for a needle in a haystack with my bear dogs so I would like to spend my time in the haystack with a lot of needles so any info on the density around the Pecos/Las Vegas/Mora areas will be appreciated. I've also researched the southern part of NM around Cloudcroft in th Lincoln NF and hear there's a decent population down there but snow is scarce and I can't operate without snow but if its good enough area I can focous on that area and just hope for a good snow year.

FYI I don't kill game my hounds catch I just like to take pics so if I was to get lucky there's no need to worry about me killing females. Not trying to step on any toes I just want to see my ol' mutts under a lion. Thanks