best way to hunt bobcats?

Question

ok that's 2 idiots now...how bout someone with serious suggestions

Angela M--if you lived where i live (mid MO) you would quickly discover that they are NOT rare by any means...and they do throw off the ecosystem, eating other game animals like deer and turkeys

Answer 1

First off check your state for Bobcat season and see if it is over or even exists, for some states have the Bobcat listed as a protected species and illegal to hunt or trap, where your at might be one of them.

In Oklahoma Bobcat are Varmints that are over populated.
You hunt them the very same way you hunt coyotes.
The only 2 major differences in bobcat as apposed to coyotes is.
1= Bobcats usually 95% of the time come in very slow.
For coyotes I call for 15 to 20 minutes if I done see one I move to another calling sight.
Where as bobcats I call for 45 to 60 minutes before I move to another calling sight.
Bobcats stalk the caller, he does not move fast and you wont a decoy set up to help you out.
You cant believe how slow he will come in, and you must give him time to get to you.
I have called as many as 6 bobcats in on one set up.
2= Bobcats relies on his eyes and ears more then his nose, he will come up wind, down wind, cross wind it don’t mater to him.
I try to hunt bobcats with a partner, I do the calling and watch 180% in front of me while my partner covers the other 180% behind me.
In heavy brush and thickets that the bobcats really like to live and hunt, Scoped varmint rifles are not my first choice, Shotgun 12 or 20 gauge shooting # 2 shot or BB Shot or rifle open sights no scope.
I use a 30-30 shooting my own 125 grain lead hard cast bullet so as not to destroy the hide the hard cast does not expand on bobcats or I will use hand gun like my Ruger GP100 357 mag with a 6 inch barrel shooting 150 grain hard cast lead Wad Cutter or Simi Wad Cutter I use these to protect the hide the hard cast don’t expand on the bobcat.
The name of this game is “Patients”

Calls to use any distress calls that works on coyotes, work as well on bobcats.
The also like the woodpecker distress and piglet distress.

My all time favorite decoy is 3 large turkey wing feathers tied to monofilament, suspended above grass, ground what ever you terrain is
Attach it so it moves freely in the slightest of breeze and watch it dance.
I attach to fences between, not to the past, overhanging limbs or what ever will not obstruct free movement of the dancing feathers.
If you live where there is a good population of Eagles or Hawks take spare feathers and string.
For it’s been my experience they cant Resist the dancing feathers either.

100% camouflage face net, gloves and body for close up bobcats or coyotes.

If the bobcat is watching the decoy, he’s not watching you, that my reason for the decoy.
Link attached that may help.
http://www.varmintal.com/ahunt.htm

Answer 2

I'm in Missouri, just got my bobcat back from the taxidermist. I shot it about 40 miles west of Springfield. 25lb male

The problem with bobcats is that they are very sly and jumpy, and have great eyesight. They like to sneak up on things, just like a house cat.

Buy yourself a electronic, remote controlled call, that has a rabbit in distress sound. Bass Pro has one for under $100. Also buy or build yourself a decoy with some fake fur. Something that will move in the breeze.

Place your call and decoy in a field, and hide in a tree line. You need to be behind something, or in a deer blind. Bobcats can detect the slightest movement. I had another bobcat called to the edge of a field, about 200yds away, but he saw me try to turn in his direction to get a shot.

It is very unlikely that you will get a shot under 100yds, mine was 160yds. So you need a good rifle and scope, and a lot of practice.

Hope this helps, happy hunting.

Answer 3

I thought that virtually the only way was to hunt them with dogs. I would imagine that for most people, that would require hiring a guide of some sort. I have not head of anyone having success with calling but I hunt WI and, while present, bobcats are not around every other tree.

Answer 4

I haven't had any luck with them in Northern Wisconsin. I know they're there because of the tracks in the snow, but every time I try to set up and call, the @()*# coyotes come in. The guy with the wing feathers has it going on, I use a rabbit pelt in a similar way, but like I said, no cats yet. Did get a couple wolves interested two years ago, but they were still protected then. :)

Answer 5

holy smokes is there some un-informed bloggers here. Rare? ok mr mutual of omaha. Rare like the one that come right up and wiped out the chickens in the chicken coup at my farm?

The best way to hunt them is dogs. Bobcats are sly sneaky critters. You would be hard pressed to get one to come into a pedator call and actually see it to shoot it.

Everyone I know run them with dogs until they tree which by the way could be miles and miles.

Good luck and Godspeed and SAVE THE OWLS

Answer 6

If it is legal to shoot them in your area, then try a distressed chick or injured rabbit call. If legal to use a rimfire then use at least a .22 Magnum.

The 'call' may bring in other predators so you might be better off with a centerfire rifle unless you want the pelt. If so then use solid bullets or try for head shots.

H

Answer 7

Try a wounded rabbit call or use some rotting meat as bait.

Use caution though. Any means you use to attract a bobcat will also attract predators like coyotes and bears.

Miketyson26

Answer 8

Predator calls same as coyotes only realize when you do this let the coyotes pass , and wait the bobcats will then come in.

Answer 9

Best way I know to do it is to use a varmint call. I tried to call one across a field, using a turkey call, but he was too interested in whatever was on the other side of the field.

Answer 10

There are only to ways to get a Bobcat, #1 Chase them with dogs and tree them (most affective and allot of fun). #2 Trap them (not as fun).
I guess also it depends on where you live. Here in Montana we can chase them with dogs from Dec.1st until April 15th.