Rob,
The deal with the lion is kind funny, in retrospect, I had read that guys were calling in lions. So i went out, bought the cat tag, bought a cow elk call, took my T/C and my 629 up into the mts and started snoopin around.up above a rocky point I cut some tracks of deer, and sure enough there was a cat followin them. Now I was fairly certain the tracks were pretty fresh, probably a day or so old by my estimation, and I knew I couldnt sneak up on a lion, so I sat down on a log to try this call I had no idea how to use. I blew on it for about 5 min or so tryin to emmulate the bleats of a fawn. I musta done something right......heard the soft thumping of padded feet from BEHIND me, and quickly turned around. I think the cat was more surprised to to see a human than I was to see him. He was coming straight at me until I turned around, then it was as though he turned on a dime to my right and took off like a shot! i got 1 shot off with the T/C (went high, of course) and killed a tree nearby, but by the time I put the T/C down and grabbed for the 44, he was long gone. Saw 8 mule deer does and yearlings head for cover, too. After it was all over I just sat there trying to figure out what had just happened. It took a few moments to,ah, compose myself, if you know what I mean. To this day, I have no idea how big he was, but he sure LOOKED big to me! Next time, I'll bring a friend(if I can find one brave enough) so we can watch each others backs. I think it'll work better that way. I really didnt expect him to charge in like that, but I know better now!
Stay safe,
o1paw