My parents live on a large property and get coyotes and have seen 4 bobcats in their backyard. We have 2 young children who like to "explore" in their backyard. Do bobcats like to "hang out" or are they frightened of us? I guess my fear is that the kids will be playing in the back of the property and that a bobcat will come and attack them.
I AM NOT talking about a mountain lion.
2007-08-22 05:49:06 · 11 answers · asked by Autumn M 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
It is never a good idea to say "never" as in "a bobcat would never attack a human."
They are wild animals. They are predators. Although not generally agressive, they are unpredictable. If you startle it, it could attack. If you get too close to its young, it may attack. If it is sick, injured or very hungry, it might attack. If your children are very young/small, they might see them as potential prey and attack. If your children are unsupervised and come upon a bobcat, get scared, and start throwing rocks at it to chase it off, it could attack.
Ot it could run like hell in the opposite direction.
Is it really worth the risk? Don't let the kids explore unsupervised. Use the opportunity to spend some quality time with them and teach them about nature, its good side and its dangers. Teach them to respect wild animals. Keep them safe.
2007-08-22 08:24:30 · answer #1 · answered by margecutter 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Bobcats do some wondering during the day, but they hunt mostly at night.
I have lived in Montana for 43 years and hane never heard of a Bobcat attacking a human.
Also you could just keep a dog around, that keeps the bobcats away.
2007-08-22 06:42:02 · answer #2 · answered by Todd V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bobcats are curious animals but let me assure you. They are more afraid of you than you ever should be afraid of them. I am surprised you have seen as many as you have unless the rodent and rabbit population in your area is high. I have hunted the central and western states of the U.S. for over 30 years and I have never ever heard about a Bobcat attacking a human let alone a small child ever. I hunt Coyotes out west and I am constantly in areas known to have Bobcats in them. Occasionally a Bobcat will respond to a preditor call because it mimicks a wounded rabbit, and the Bobcats approached to get a :"free" meal..Most of those I saw didn't get within120 yards of me and were extremely cautious, if not downright reluctant to come closer. Those few are no longer with us :)
2007-08-22 06:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by JD 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bobcats are pretty timid. Unsupervised young kids (under age 5) is not a good thing anyway.
I'd be concerned about a chance encounter.. kids getting in between a momma bobcat and her kittens would not have a pretty outcome.
Bobcats can be pretty nasty when cornered or threatened. I watched a dumass at the zoo one time taunting a bobcat through the bars, eventually the bobcat got pissed and nearly ripped his fingers off.
2007-08-22 10:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bobcats are cautious when it comes to people. If someone is out in the open and exposed they usually wont attack. If they are walking in rocks and brush they feel an advantage though and may attack. The best way to defend yourself if you see one is make noise and throw rocks if it is threatening you
2007-08-22 14:11:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
bobcats are nocturnal, so you dont have anythign to really worry about. They hunt at night, and are afraid of humans. The only reason it might attack is if it has rabies or it gets cornered.
2007-08-22 10:40:11 · answer #6 · answered by Aaron 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
although bobcats aren't as skittish as a black bear they are just as unlikely to attack a human. i am sure your children will make enough noise to alert any bobcats in the area and send it fleeing way before they get close enough to come upon one.
2007-08-22 06:09:12 · answer #7 · answered by John S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as your kids aren't playing with dead rabbits and squirrels they will be fine.
Make sure you have a dog hangin' around and that should go doubly so.
Rabies in the high summer might cause one to not be cautious and come wondering in. That's what the dog and a double barrel are for.
2007-08-22 06:30:51 · answer #8 · answered by coolhandven 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless the cats get rabies, you shouldn't have to worry about it. Bobcats really try to avoid people.
2007-08-22 10:01:08 · answer #9 · answered by esugrad97 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only reason you should be concerned is if your children are rabbit sized, if they're larger than a rabbit, the bobcat won't bother them.
2007-08-22 07:38:57 · answer #10 · answered by boker_magnum 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋