Exploration of a lifetime

Have you ever seen a mountain lion in the wild?

Ever stalked a wily cougar across rugged terrain, following a pack of hound dogs hot on the big cat's trail?

If the answer is no, then now's your chance to enter the Marine Corps League's 2011 National Convention raffle. Grand prize is an all-expense paid cougar hunt in the scenic Owyhee Mountains of central Idaho, guided by Juniper Mountain Outfitters.

Including transportation, hunting license and all necessary equipment, the package is worth around $7,000. The cost of a raffle ticket is $5.

"The cougar hunt is to support the national convention of the Marine Corps League that's being held in Boise this year," said Don Glovick, a retired gunnery sergeant and member of the Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detachment. "This is the crown jewel of our money-raising efforts. It appeals to a lot of people."

Brochures are available at Black Sheep Sporting Goods on U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene. Just about every Marine Corps League member has one, too, Glovick added. Simply fill out the form, enclose $5 (or more, if additional tickets are desired) and send to MCL 2011 National Convention, P.O. Box 45874, Boise, ID 83711.

The drawing will take place at the convention banquet on Aug. 5. The winner does not have to be present.

If the winner does not wish to accept the hunt, the Marine Corps League will hand out $2,500 instead.

Just two hours from Boise, Juniper Mountain Outfitters hunts the scenic Payette River country in the Boise National Forest. The outfit offers mountain lion, elk, bighorn sheep and deer hunting, as well as wilderness pack trips on horseback.

"That area, and that guide, is known for cougar hunts," Glovick said. "You ride along with your dogs, and they catch the scent of a cougar. Then your dogs will tree the cougar."

At that point, he added, the hunter can either shoot the mountain lion or snap a photograph of the treed cat.

The raffle winner will arrive in the Owyhee Mountains next winter. All equipment, lodging, meals, horses and dogs will be provided by Juniper Mountain Outfitters. The guides will also furnish weapons and ammunition, if need be, and dress the cougar.

In Units 40 and 42, where the guides operate, the hound hunting season runs from Nov. 25 until the end of March.

Taxidermy is also an option, but will cost the winner extra.

Guides Paul and Stan Meholchick donated the hunt to the Marine Corps League. Stan is a former Marine and member of the MCL. He "works tirelessly to support veterans groups," the raffle brochure noted.