Mountain lion, puma, cougar, panther, or catamount is second in size only to the jaguar among cats in the Americas.  I was born into a family of Penn State alumni and as a child I knew the cat only as the Nittany Lion.  Developing as a hunter and eventually becoming a Penn State Nittany Lion myself; I was clearly destined to develop a fascination with this powerful predator and no doubt eventually plan a mountain lion hunt.

Day 1 - Prologue
From my current vista, I scan ridge lines and mountains 50 miles distant.  The rugged landscape is breathtaking and dominated by towering cliffs, elevated mesas, vast valleys filled with brush and dark forest, and multi-colored bands of rock.  Distance creates the illusion of calm tranquility.

The wind slacks for the first time in ten minutes and suddenly I hear the intense barking of dogs.  It's coming from up canyon and farther North than we had expected.  My cell phone rings and I snatch at it expectantly.  It's Wayne and his words have me moving fast.  A huge lion is pinned on a ledge 1,500 ft. down slope by a single dog.  Every second counts.