Sure, all the time. But with large predators its always risky for both the animal and the shooter. Darts aren't very accurate and the meds don't act instantly. A large, intelligent predator can associate pain with a shooter and a high-speed hypo is gonna hurt. So you better have a back-up plan. Like somebody with a big mofo rifle who has excellent reflexes and steel-like nerves and is an excellent shot. Because a mad, hungry 400# predator barreling down on you within dart range is going to take the word, "Intimidating" to a whole new plateau.

I know a guy who was suppsoed to tranq a small black bear that was in a tree. It isn't as easy as it seems in theory. It's more like shooting a musket than a rifle and if the dart doesn't get good penetration in soft tissue, the animal may require a second darting. Or it might react like some humans do to a medicine--you know, in an unexpected violent way.

All I'm saying is that getting into a canyon full of madrono with a hungry, huge-f**king predator with a dart is a heck of a lot to ask of somebody who has a family.