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I looked back throught the archives and couldn't find an answer.
So, what is the best snowmobile for lion hunting?
Also, which is handier, a dog box mounted on the snomobile or a dog box on a trailer?

The best snowmobile for lion hunting is one that will stay running long enough to get you there and back!

I have had better luck with the box on the sled. Don't have to worry about turning around and can get from a to z a lot quicker.

lionhunterdaves wrote:The best snowmobile for lion hunting is one that will stay running long enough to get you there and back!

I hear that! But if you had your pick, what would it be?

Anything air cooled the new tundra's are nice and have enough tunnel space on the back to mount a dog basket. I have a polaris trail rmk 550 it has been a good sled.

A 440 or 380 air cooled engine would probally be the best fuel wise, a 4 stroke would also be nice.

What about track length? Someone told me that a 153inches would be the best for the mountains with a dog sled.

Yes, what about...

Track length?
Engine size?
Air or liquid cooled?
2 or 4 cycle?
Make and model?

The arctic cat powder special is a good one. It is light and easy to handle.

If I had enough money I would buy a yamaha rx-1. Not near the maintenance on a 4stroke, but they are a lot heavier.

Best snowmobile for hunting is: From Dec - Feb a liquid cooled is hard to beat, but an air cooled engine does great. From Feb-April AIR cooled all the way....snow is icey and liquid cooled engines suck when your cutting tracks at 0.1 miles an hr I prefer air cooled although I own a liquid cooled....I prefer a sled behind the snowmobile as I can pile 4-5 dogs in it (but I usually go find a track and come back for my dogs...so I have a trail beat into the track) I prefer a long track with at least 500 cc's of motor. One of the best machines I had was a Yamaha Phaser...a little under powered with the dogs, but great for cutting as it was light enough to throw around. I hunted with a guy for years that used a Ski-Doo Skandic....it was air cooled...had low/high range....500 cc motor....reverse etc.... HEAVY SOB but he carried a com-a-long under the seat to help when stuck. It had a wide-long track. Actually was a pretty nice sled, but to heavy for my liking. I imagine snowmobiles are like trucks...everyone is gonna like something a little different. Your gonna cuss everyone of them sooner or later (usually sooner )

I am surprized nobody has said ARTIC CAT. LOL!

Actually my son in Wyoming has a couple of those great big long new model Cats he doesn't hunt on them but they have a lot of fun out there just buzzing around.

Mike
I think all these newer sleds are nice....just a matter of preference. I'd sure ride an Arctic Cat, or Polaris, Ski-Doo, Yamaha....lol...anything that'll get me back to the truck at the end of the day Kinda like Horses....there's goodens in every breed....just finding that certain one that's the hard part

I have an Arctic cat 660 four stroke I like real well. It has lots of power and gets real good fuel mileage, around 20 mpg. It sure isn't a powder sled though. I will usually stick to the roads and trails then walk into the trees. Some guys I know think they have to park under every cat tree. I'll just walk a little bit and put that maintenance $$$ into my dogs rather than my sled.

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Have an old Ski Doo Tundra long track. Its only 250 cc fan cooled but it is light, simple and easy to handle. If you get stuck or in a tight place you can lift it around with ease. I can pull a sled with a couple of dogs once I have broke trail. Will not set any speed records but it sure is reliable...

If you plan on buying new snowmobiles you should look into Mattracks. They have a new line of tracks out for mid-sized trucks and suvs that wouldn't cost anymore than a couple new snowmobiles. I bought a set that were a few years old and have had great luck with them. Way better than a snowmobile. I have had mine for three seasons and haven't had any problems. I put them on a Toyota Landcruiser SUV that seats 8. Seats 5 when I have the dog box in the back. I have put 6 dogs in the dog box. The rig doesn't get that great of gas mileage but it does better than running four of my snowmobiles at the same time. Plus it has a heater. I was able to license it as a snowmobile when the tracks are on.

First time trying to post pictures, we will see if it works.

That's freakin sweet george! I just hope you never find out what it's like to get it stuck if possable. I'msure if I was driving it I would find a way, always wanting to make it just a little farther than I should. I personally have a polaras 700 rmk with 136" track that has done the job for a lot of years. and I like the dog sled behind although "Hook" always rides on front with me. I have used this sled in anything from deep powder to mostly dirt and rocks with a little snow here and ther. -30 f to +45-50 f. I go through a set of skis every year, but it gets me everywhere I need to be.