PPHA Forums
Predator Hunting => Trapping => Topic started by: coyotenightmare on December 09, 2011, 03:59:45 PM
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Does anyone have any experience trapping bobcats? I had trail cameras out where I hunt in 4D through the summer and fall and got a ton of bobcat pictures. I hope to try and trap one when the season opens and wasn't sure what kind of sets to make. I have experience making dirt hole and blind sets for fox. I never tried to trap a bobcat before and thought maybe a cubby set would be good to make. Any info would be great. Thanks
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put your trap were you take pitures haha hope this helpd
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I haven't set for any but the boys here at work all have and they say a bucket with deer scraps thrown in the back and cover trap in front of bucket(cubby set). I know a lot of guys up here in potter also hang 3-4 CD's from some fishin line along the edge of a field. Set trap directly below the stand of CD's that will hang from a nearby tree. The field line keeps'm in line, and they are attracted to the reflections of hte CD's, and while jumping up and swatting at the, hopefully they land a paw on your pan. Some people use the tape pulled from the inside of an old cassette as well, and hang that off a branch. I've been told by some of the old timers in town, that they don't even cover their traps with anything, and if anything, just sawdust...and i've seen the mounts, they've caught a few. Again, only what i've been shown and told, never set for cats because I didn't have the time to travel north just for bobcats,but now that I live here, tag is on the way!
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Setting some traps this weekend for an ol bobcat. The way it sounds they should be easy to catch but have a big home range. Maybe I can pick up a yote or fox running my bobcat line. Just trapping one property, but they have been there pretty regular.
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Good Luck CN.
I recall the radio collar study on Bobcat by Dr. Matt Lavello, PGC Wildlife Bioligist. He stated that PA. Bobcat home range mainly included the 'sunny side' of the mountain or ridge.
I have caught many cats: Barncat, Housecat and Ferralcat and Bobcat.
Some key things-
Set on location. Set up good locations with 2 or 3 sets within sight of one another. It's just as easy to check 2-4 traps at a stop as it is to look at 1 trap. And it's neat to see 2 or 3 or 4 critters sitting there waiting on you....a double on Coon and a Grey or a Possum, Coyote and Red or a Bobcat and Grey double.
Bed trap properly. Take the time to make good sets. Bed trap propertly. Be open for business and have set working.
Location A good Bobcat location is also a good location for other critters. Funny thing in Pa. when we set traps at a good land location...we can catch Reds, Greys, Coon, Coyote, Fisher, Bobcat, Skunk and Possum (also an occasional Mink or Weasel). So set a few traps at this location with different scents and you will be opened for business when a critter comes along and be thankful for any furbearer. I am saying be prepared to catch and hold any critter because it's not possible to just target Bobcat with foothold traps.
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Not sure what my trouble is. I caught two coon but no bobcats. Maybe my bait is not stinky enough or they just haven't been through yet. Some people have told me bobcats have a large home range. You would think that in a week's time they would come through the area where my traps are set. Maybe I need more patience...thanks to the rain for the added work and half ruined sets...maybe thats why I haven't connected yet.
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I wonder how the cat trapper are doing???
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Here is an update on my Bobcat trapline. 2 coons, 1 coyote, 1 red fox. Due to my inexperience with trapping coyotes or bobcats I learned the hard way that most of my traps must not be quite big enough to hold bobcats or coyotes. I lost a coyote due to trap failure to hold him, and I believe I lost a bobcat but didn't have tracks to prove it. The "lost bobcat" was at a cubby set that a fox or coyote would be to smart to enter. Live and learn...I am going to try and get some pics posted. If I can't fill my cat tag trapping, maybe I can call one in when that season opens.
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(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/DSC00220.jpg)
Here is the red fox
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(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/4.jpg)
coyote...sure is mad
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Very nice, keep after those cats!
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He not bad , at least you caught some canines. Good Job
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Nice catch. Now you said you belive your traps didn't hold a coyote and or bobcat, I would like to know what size trap are you talking about only because I'm new at this and could use the info...thanks ED
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Icecube, Most of my traps I used are old #2 that my dad used to use. I cleaned them up and thought they would work. I also have 2 #3 or 4 Montana coyote traps. The coyote I caught was in one of them. The trap that lost a coyote was an older #2. The pan of the trap dropped to far and caught under the springs keeping them from closing all the way. The coyote could easily pull out. My second miss was a double long spring victor also from my dad's collection. I have no explanation there. Other than that since this year is my first to trap these critters I must not have placed the trap just right for a good foot catch.
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i would bet you missed with the long spring because of the pan tention, or should i say lack of. good job on the fox and yote!
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Also, I feel that the longsprings go off easily if not bedded tight, and the springs throw the foot up.
It depends on the trap itself and how its adjusted. IMO
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(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/DSC00227.jpg)
I was hoping for a big male, but just couldn't release this young female.
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[img][http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/DSC00226.jpg/img]
It took almost 2 weeks, but finally got my tag filled. I ran the line with my brother, and actually got a double catch.
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(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/DSC00226.jpg)
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(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m490/coyotenightmare/DSC00229.jpg)
Both bobcats. I checked the traps in the dark, and didn't get a picture of both in the traps. The sets were about 12 ft apart.
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My brother (left) made a cubby and I made a dirt hole set at the end of a log. Not sure who caught one first, but there was bobcat tracks all over the place. Seemed like more were in the area. My cat was caught using a Montana coyote trap #3 and his was trapped with a duke #2 double long spring. It was the same trapped that had a miss, but we re-did the set and bedded the trap better. It worked that time...just wish we could get more tags...kinda got the cat trapping fever now. Gives you a good feeling to try trapping something new and be successful. I learned a few things through the experience. I put a trail camera up a couple days before Christmas watching the one cubby set. I got a video of a bobcat coming down the road, look at the set, then see the camera, and come to the camera and bat it around for a while. Next year maybe I will just hang a couple cameras up and put a trap under them. lol
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Congratulations. Your cat has some nice spots and I wouldn't let it go if it were my first either.
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That is freaking awesome, something I'd love to get into is trapping but due to school I just dont have the time..... Awesome man. Just awesome I'll bet its a day you two will never forget!!!
Ryan.
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Yeah we will never forget it. I ran a coon line with my younger brother last year and made lifetime memories. Now this year I had to really talk my older brother into doing this trap line together and it's definitely been worth while and has made some awesome lifetime memories. I tend to rather hunt alone and do things by myself, but I am learning that its just alright teaming up with a family member or friend and doing some trapping or hunting.
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Great job..and thanks for sharing....
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Congrats! That is awsome period.
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Nice!
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Congratulations. Good job.