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Any Bobcat Trappers Here?

diggler1833

diggler1833

World's Okayest Rancher and Hog Hunter
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    • Jul 22, 2007
    5,081
    21,646
    Oklahoma
    #1
    I've got a smaller, but beautifully coated bobcat that likes to walk one of our trails here on the ranch this year. I'd really like to save the coat of this one, and won't just be shooting it like I do the others when I happen across it.

    I've had good success snaring coyotes in the past, but I really don't do any trapping with every other commitment I have here that eats time. My experience is limited to snares and 330 Conibears...and dogproof coon traps that I do actually use frequently (but that doesn't really count). My experience for bobcats is ZERO.

    So if you've caught some cats, I'd love for you to link perhaps a video that shows a successful method...or if there is an idiot who makes a lot of bad videos, I'd love to know whose content to avoid. The stuff is all over YouTube, but I've seen some conflicting methods.

    Any insight is appreciated.

    Pic for reference, sorry for the shitty photo of a photo.
    Screenshot_20241204-071857_Gallery.jpg
     
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    #5
    We use box traps (box with bait in the rear, conibear at the entrance of box but still inside box) and an attention getter nearby. Bait is typically a game bird carcass and attention getter is a bird wing hung by a string to a tree branch. Some people use reflective cards instead of a wing or feathers. Bobcats are sight hunters. I could send you pictures but the season isn't open yet. Probably plenty of info online.
     
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    #6
    joe777 said:
    We use box traps (box with bait in the rear, conibear at the entrance of box but still inside box) and an attention getter nearby. Bait is typically a game bird carcass and attention getter is a bird wing hung by a string to a tree branch. Some people use reflective cards instead of a wing or feathers. Bobcats are sight hunters. I could send you pictures but the season isn't open yet. Probably plenty of info online.
    Click to expand...

    Yeah, I have a bunch of the barred, second wing turkey feathers from my turkeys that run around. I was going to hang those up over my trap about 12 - 15' from the trail that this cat walks up and down. There is a natural bank right there too, so I was going to brush in a path with an entrance funnel.

    My conibear use is basically right in front of a bucket that I throw deer scraps in. I have never killed a bobcat with that setup, but it does hell on the various other little bastard species that raid my turkey nests (skunks, coons, opossums).
     
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    #7
    Many moons ago, I was taught a trick that has worked on all sorts of carnivores...

    Hang a Guinea Hen from a limb in a predator proof cage that is big enough for it to move around in some and with some feed and a water bottle. They make lots of noise and are apparently stinky. Live bait. Do that well before dark. Use a different bird every day or they will get accustomed to being in the cage and stop making as much noise. 3-4 birds is plenty.

    Under the cage (actually way beforehand, weeks is best) build a mound so the cage is about 4-5 feet high from the top. The predator will come up the mound to inspect the hen. Even better if you can find a place with the mound already there. Place leg hold trap under the dirt at or near the apex of the mound (waxed dirt) and 2-3 others around the base. Boil your traps, etc.

    Snares at obvious or suspected entry points to the mound.

    Don't be surprised if you get more than one predator at a time. Others come in to see why one is squalling.

    I always set this up so I can check it from 25 yards or more away, check it every couple hours if you are rural enough that critters are plentiful, only walking all the way in, as scent free as I can be, around mid-afternoon to swap out the bird. Once you do catch something, don't bait it again or go there again for a couple of weeks. Let it cool off, so to speak.

    I've also had success with the bucket by using branches to create a funnel into the connibear trap and cover the bucket with branches and leaves and hay and snow or whatever. I use a tuna can with just a little bit of tuna left in it. I have also use those real small cans of cheap cat food. Spread the trigger forks out a bit so it can be triggered from the outer edges, not just hanging straight down or up.

    Coyotes, foxes, lynx, marten...
     
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    #8
    diggler1833 said:
    I've got a smaller, but beautifully coated bobcat that likes to walk one of our trails here on the ranch this year. I'd really like to save the coat of this one, and won't just be shooting it like I do the others when I happen across it.

    I've had good success snaring coyotes in the past, but I really don't do any trapping with every other commitment I have here that eats time. My experience is limited to snares and 330 Conibears...and dogproof coon traps that I do actually use frequently (but that doesn't really count). My experience for bobcats is ZERO.

    So if you've caught some cats, I'd love for you to link perhaps a video that shows a successful method...or if there is an idiot who makes a lot of bad videos, I'd love to know whose content to avoid. The stuff is all over YouTube, but I've seen some conflicting methods.

    Any insight is appreciated.

    Pic for reference, sorry for the shitty photo of a photo.
    View attachment 8560418
    Click to expand...
    Just curious...as we don't have bobcats around here to my knowledge...why do you want to kill them? What livestock, etc is at risk from them?
     
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    #9
    Baron23 said:
    Just curious...as we don't have bobcats around here to my knowledge...why do you want to kill them? What livestock, etc is at risk from them?
    Click to expand...

    Great questions man. Thanks for asking without blasting me.

    1) They absolutely kill fawns (even grown deer occasionally), and turkeys. Those are my own little protected species around the ranch here, and I love watching both species run around. For that reason, the cats have to go. *The same for coyotes.

    2) They will also kill my barn cats on occasion. Another reason why they have to go.

    3) I have four known (three now, shot one Sunday) bobcats running around my little place. That is basically four that I know of in a single square mile...that is pretty damn thick for bobcats. We've created a habitat that is rich in hunting for them and they're thriving, just like the coyotes. I literally kill between 25-50 coyotes a year here, and I saw a pack of three Monday run across the pasture below my house.

    I'm not worried about the cattle we have. My #1 cattle predator is packs of feral dogs, and those are thick too. I kill way more of those then I want (zero would be nice).
     
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    #12
    diggler1833 said:
    Great questions man. Thanks for asking without blasting me.

    1) They absolutely kill fawns (even grown deer occasionally), and turkeys. Those are my own little protected species around the ranch here, and I love watching both species run around. For that reason, the cats have to go. *The same for coyotes.

    2) They will also kill my barn cats on occasion. Another reason why they have to go.

    3) I have four known (three now, shot one Sunday) bobcats running around my little place. That is basically four that I know of in a single square mile...that is pretty damn thick for bobcats. We've created a habitat that is rich in hunting for them and they're thriving, just like the coyotes. I literally kill between 25-50 coyotes a year here, and I saw a pack of three Monday run across the pasture below my house.

    I'm not worried about the cattle we have. My #1 cattle predator is packs of feral dogs, and those are thick too. I kill way more of those then I want (zero would be nice).
    Click to expand...
    I know you are quite a far piece north of me.

    I don't have any cattle yet but there are lots of cattle all around. The coyotes are very populous and I don't think anyone here really kills them except as maybe a target of opportunity. Just a few nights ago, there were 5 gathered only about 50 yards away from the house (WAAAY too close) and they were all singing. It sounded like a hundred. I got one. I have not seen any feral or pet dogs other than my own. My neighbors all have dogs but those, as far as I know, also stay close to home.

    We have 2 mini Weiner Dogs and I have a very handsome and well trained German Wirehaired Pointer. Notice the "we" and "I"? One of those little Weiner Dogs has claimed me and she follows me EVERYWHERE. I call her The Supervisor. She has a real strong prey drive and is seriously vicious on mice, rats and rabbits.

    I'm not worried too much about the bird dog, at least one on one. But I think 5 might kill him, for certain tear him up some and the vet bills.... He roams free but doesn't roam very far thanks to having been trained with a boundary collar he hasn't had on in many months. He rarely makes any noise so when he barks, there is something close. I say something because he thinks every human wants to pet him and/or give him a ride in the truck (ask my UPS guy). Terrible watch dog as far as human intruders are concerned...I'd have it no other way, honestly. If he's growling, it's real close to him and he's about to get violent. He gets so excited when he sees a rifle or shotgun!! HAHA! You have to keep track of him because after the first round, he's going to find something to fetch. He gets all of his hair up on a dead coyote and wants to attack but I have not let him get too close for fear of mange or something. I just take them down to the far south creek and give them a toss.

    For certain the little dogs are at risk with even one and we look out and around before turning them loose.

    We do plan to get some goats and cows, chickens and my wife wants some peacocks. I like Guinea's because they gang up on snakes and make all sorts of noise when intruders are around. Peacocks also are great alarm systems. Coyotes gotta go. I'd feel same, same about bobcats. At least (I think) we don't have to worry about Mountain Lion and Wolves.

    I have not seen any Bobcats but that doesn't mean they are not around. No trail cams and I only recently got a thermal and started seeing in the dark. There are hogs around but no evidence on my property (yet). My cousin saw what he figures was about 20 on his place and I'm going to help him thin that down.
     
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    #13
    diggler1833 said:
    Great questions man. Thanks for asking without blasting me.

    1) They absolutely kill fawns (even grown deer occasionally), and turkeys. Those are my own little protected species around the ranch here, and I love watching both species run around. For that reason, the cats have to go. *The same for coyotes.

    2) They will also kill my barn cats on occasion. Another reason why they have to go.

    3) I have four known (three now, shot one Sunday) bobcats running around my little place. That is basically four that I know of in a single square mile...that is pretty damn thick for bobcats. We've created a habitat that is rich in hunting for them and they're thriving, just like the coyotes. I literally kill between 25-50 coyotes a year here, and I saw a pack of three Monday run across the pasture below my house.

    I'm not worried about the cattle we have. My #1 cattle predator is packs of feral dogs, and those are thick too. I kill way more of those then I want (zero would be nice).
    Click to expand...
    Thanks for the reply. Makes sense to me (y)
     
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    #14
    Aftermath said:
    I know you are quite a far piece north of me.

    I don't have any cattle yet but there are lots of cattle all around. The coyotes are very populous and I don't think anyone here really kills them except as maybe a target of opportunity. Just a few nights ago, there were 5 gathered only about 50 yards away from the house (WAAAY too close) and they were all singing. It sounded like a hundred. I got one. I have not seen any feral or pet dogs other than my own. My neighbors all have dogs but those, as far as I know, also stay close to home.

    We have 2 mini Weiner Dogs and I have a very handsome and well trained German Wirehaired Pointer. Notice the "we" and "I"? One of those little Weiner Dogs has claimed me and she follows me EVERYWHERE. I call her The Supervisor. She has a real strong prey drive and is seriously vicious on mice, rats and rabbits.

    I'm not worried too much about the bird dog, at least one on one. But I think 5 might kill him, for certain tear him up some and the vet bills.... He roams free but doesn't roam very far thanks to having been trained with a boundary collar he hasn't had on in many months. He rarely makes any noise so when he barks, there is something close. I say something because he thinks every human wants to pet him and/or give him a ride in the truck (ask my UPS guy). Terrible watch dog as far as human intruders are concerned...I'd have it no other way, honestly. If he's growling, it's real close to him and he's about to get violent. He gets so excited when he sees a rifle or shotgun!! HAHA! You have to keep track of him because after the first round, he's going to find something to fetch. He gets all of his hair up on a dead coyote and wants to attack but I have not let him get too close for fear of mange or something. I just take them down to the far south creek and give them a toss.

    For certain the little dogs are at risk with even one and we look out and around before turning them loose.

    We do plan to get some goats and cows, chickens and my wife wants some peacocks. I like Guinea's because they gang up on snakes and make all sorts of noise when intruders are around. Peacocks also are great alarm systems. Coyotes gotta go. I'd feel same, same about bobcats. At least (I think) we don't have to worry about Mountain Lion and Wolves.

    I have not seen any Bobcats but that doesn't mean they are not around. No trail cams and I only recently got a thermal and started seeing in the dark. There are hogs around but no evidence on my property (yet). My cousin saw what he figures was about 20 on his place and I'm going to help him thin that down.
    Click to expand...

    There are still a few laws regarding using thermals in OK man. If you need caught up on them, hit me up. I don't want to see you slipping up and ending up in trouble. Hope that you get all the hogs though!

    I think I'm actually south of you. I'm in Push Co.

    We had a wiener dog in last week. Aggressive little thing went after the owner's other dog (a lab/great dane mix) and the big dog ragamuffin'd the little wiener dog. We tried our best, but she died a day later. They are aggressive little things, bred for going after badgers IIRC.
     
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    #15
    diggler1833 said:
    There are still a few laws regarding using thermals in OK man. If you need caught up on them, hit me up. I don't want to see you slipping up and ending up in trouble. Hope that you get all the hogs though!

    I think I'm actually south of you. I'm in Push Co.

    We had a wiener dog in last week. Aggressive little thing went after the owner's other dog (a lab/great dane mix) and the big dog ragamuffin'd the little wiener dog. We tried our best, but she died a day later. They are aggressive little things, bred for going after badgers IIRC.
    Click to expand...
    My bad. I thought you were you were up in the NE corner. I'm in Haskell County. PM'd you.
     
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    #17
    Had this guy at about 35 yards on a bowhint in Illinois last weekend. Biggest bobcat I have ever seen anywhere. I didn't have a tag, so I couldn't take him. I bet he weighed 40lbs if he weighed an ounce. Got about 3 minutes of videos of him it was awesome being that close to him and him clueless about me being there.
    IMG_20241211_172248.jpg
     
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    #18
    wvfarrier said:
    I use a large coyote trap with a live chicken in the inside bait box (no danger from.predator)
    Click to expand...
    This. Live trap with leg holds around it buried in the usual way that doesn’t impede the trap. Make sure the trap has tight enough spacing in the wire that a coon can reach in and put the bird through bit by bit. Terrible way to die if you are the bird. Anchor everything down. For wary animals it can take a few days before they will approach it.

    Catches all the species you described that need thinning out. Change out the bird at least every other day.

    Make sure all of your local game laws allow this.
     
    #19
    Heartstopper said:
    Had this guy at about 35 yards on a bowhint in Illinois last weekend. Biggest bobcat I have ever seen anywhere. I didn't have a tag, so I couldn't take him. I bet he weighed 40lbs if he weighed an ounce. Got about 3 minutes of videos of him it was awesome being that close to him and him clueless about me being there.
    View attachment 8566839
    Click to expand...
    Damn you gotta have a bobcat tag? Here in NC, it is open season from October to February with no daily or season limit
     
    #20
    roostercogburn98 said:
    Damn you gotta have a bobcat tag? Here in NC, it is open season from October to February with no daily or season limit
    Click to expand...
    Illinois is a draw they have 2000 tags in the quota. Of the 2000 a little over 300 were killed last year according to the internet. My home state of Tn is like NC
    Ky is that way also. I'm gonna apply next year in September. I'm sure I wont see anything like this again.
     
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    #21
    Don't know if you're aware or not but ODWC recently started holding trapping workshops with the WMA techs and wildlife biologists. I know they have one soon over in the Push county WMA; I've attended on the west side of the state and the guys running it are pretty serious about trapping pretty much everything OK allows. Might be worth checking out for getting a bit deeper than videos.


    Coon Creek Outdoors like posted above.
     
    #22
    Heartstopper said:
    Illinois is a draw they have 2000 tags in the quota. Of the 2000 a little over 300 were killed last year according to the internet. My home state of Tn is like NC
    Ky is that way also. I'm gonna apply next year in September. I'm sure I wont see anything like this again.
    Click to expand...
    That’s crazy, what’s the overall population look like there? They are thick here, especially in the swamp areas
     
    #23
    Not sure on total population. Not my home state. Here in Tn and Ky we are not over run with them at all. I have put in probably close to 300 hours in a stand of some sort in Illinois over the last 4 years and that's the first one I have laid eyes on. Coyotes on the other hand are a different story.
     
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    #24
    Heartstopper said:
    Not sure on total population. Not my home state. Here in Tn and Ky we are not over run with them at all. I have put in probably close to 300 hours in a stand of some sort in Illinois over the last 4 years and that's the first one I have laid eyes on. Coyotes on the other hand are a different story.
    Click to expand...
    Seeing on in person and seeing on camera are different as well, they are sneaky little fuckers. I catch them on trail cameras quite often round here. I think the NC estimate is close to 1 million or so statewide
     
    #25
    Yes they are and there is a big difference as you mentioned. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the privilege of seeing this one and getting the cell camera footage of him. He was very close. I was about 18 feet in the air. I would have given up my buck tag to have shot him.
     
    #26
    While in college at Oklahoma State, I would archery hunt university land. It cost a dollar a day but you were pretty much guaranteed to not see any other hunters.

    I was hung over one morning and got a late start, didn't get into my stand before light. I sat on my knees against the trunk of a big tree where 2 trails converged and waited for light with my bow between my legs, arrow knocked. Right at daybreak, I heard faint rustling in the leaves from my right about 5 o'clock. I turned my head real slow and waited.

    It was a pretty big bobcat just being a bobcat. He'd look around and be real quiet and then swat at something. I figured maybe flies. When he was quartering away, about 20 yards, I sucked air through my teeth once and he immediately turned his head like Linda Blair and looked right at me. I was all cammo and face net and just sat as still as possible, looking just past him so I didn't make eye contact. He moved his head around like an owl does and then finally started to move on.

    I did it again and this time he sorta jumped and crouched facing right at me. He was 100% locked on to me. He could see me but was not sure what I was. When he started sorta flinching his hind leg, I got a little scared. I knew he was about to pounce. I figured I'd have to stab him with that arrow and thought about my sheath knife. I jumped up and yelled and made myself big. I had to sorta jump at him just because of the position I was in. That cat jumped about 8 feet in the air and I could hear him squalling as he ran away for about 30 seconds. I think I scared him way more than he scared me. I could not help myself from laughing. He didn't know what it was that about to get him!!

    I have relived that moment many many times through the years and would LOVE to have been able to record it. Of course, back then, recording devices were not anywhere near as portable as they are now and not silent, either.
     
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