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How long does the scent stick around in the dirt after a lion travels through? I know wind and sun can make a difference. My dogs started a track in the dirt last year but I don't know how fresh it was. My male struck on 2-3 day old tracks in snow.. Will they take an older track in the dirt?? I am looking to dirt hunt this year. Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

I'm not a great dry ground hunter, but what I have found is. sometimes my dogs will trail an older track in the dirt a ways, but they can't move it as fast as I can walk. the ones they run and catch are mostly night old tracks....

Sounds good. Thanks for the reply! I hope mine will take a night old track good.

There are so many variables that come into play on bare ground hunting it is very difficult to analize each situation if you are not right there. Soil type, vegetation, atmospheric pressure, sun, wind, frost, dew, daytime temperature, night time temperature, and even altitude can all be factors in success or failure.

For example in this area which has very clay/and sand based soils with little grass or ground brush it can be pretty tough. Lions have been moving like crazy the past couple days but the warm daytime temperatures coupled with below freezing and fairly heavy frost burning off quickly have made it tough. You better get on the short end of the track and catch them early or when the sun burns that frost off and that miserable west wind comes up you will have to get lucky indeed.


One thing about bare ground hunting is you never learn it all and each new track is a learning experience but it can be very rewarding when it all comes together.


Have fun and good luck!

I have been reading a great book on bare ground hunting. It is called Lion Tales by Jonathon Kibler. It is all about bare ground hunting and has a chapter just going in detail on the variable Mike Leonard just mentioned above.

Thanks for the info guys! This will help me on my next hunt! It is great to get tips from the well experienced! Keep it coming. I was thinking about rigging during the night hours and if they struck one, wait until legal hours to let them loose. If this isn't productive, then roading and hiking are in my brain. Good idea?

ilchaf wrote:I have been reading a great book on bare ground hunting. It is called Lion Tales by Jonathon Kibler. It is all about bare ground hunting and has a chapter just going in detail on the variable Mike Leonard just mentioned above.

That is by far the best book on dry ground lion hunting that I have read.

Beimel, you need to get a copy. it will probably help you and good luck!

Thanks for the help guys! I will have to get that book!