Anyone amped for bobcat?

[Bscman]

Up until 3 years ago, I had never seen a bobcat in the wild. Then, all of the sudden, they seem to be everywhere I look.

I was able to coax my first cat in with a raspy cottontail call in '05. Never got a shot, but it was awesome having the opportunity to see it's reactions to my calling.

My father and I got set up and were able to take our first cat in '06, with a contender pistol in .218 Bee. It wasn't a large cat (pic in my profile) but a pretty cat. My father had a full mount done with the cat resting on a large rock, legs hanging off the side.

Now, I need one for myself.
I've seen 3 so far this year, without doing any calling. I'm getting amped up!
I'm holding out for a large cat with coloration on the lighter side of the spectrum--less brown, more yellow and white....of course, larger than pops' cat  is a must. 

Just wondering how many other bobcat hunters we have on the site.

FWIW, I'm considering using a 22WMR or 17HMR to help minimize pelt damage.
Feel free to comment.

[saylean]

saw my first bobcat last year while calling (for the first time as well)...

It was amazing, probably one of the coolest things I have seen in the wild. No shot (out of season) but yes, very excited to get a bob kitty...

[PolarBear]

I've got one eating cat food off of my porch.  I am waiting in anticipation for Sept 2nd to roll around so I can pop his ass.   I've shot a few of them in the past and have a couple of mounts but would like another one.  My next bobcat mount is going to be with it curled up sleeping like a house cat.  That way I can place it around the house on furniture and freak out guests.

[billythekidrock]

Here are a couple pics to get you amped. I called these two in during a spring bear season about a week apart.

[demontang]

I have never called one in but have seen them. I can what to get a shot at one. I know there pelts in good shape are worth a pretty Pennie. If I get some It might help pay for my predator stuff.

[Gutpile]

Oh, yeah I'm amped! I've called and killed one back in 05. Saw 2 together a week later at the same spot and have seen several since in different areas but havent been able to get a shot. I'm always hoping to call one in but they don't always do what they're supposed to.  

Here's a pic of the rug but don't have any good field photos as they were taken with a 35mm.

This was an 18 1/2 lb. female shot at 178 yards with a 22-250 and a 40 grn Blitzking. Chest shot with no exit, just the way I like it.



skull

[Sagedawg]

 Im ready. Hopefully this will be my year to get my first. I saw a few when I was still down in Texas, and have seen 2 since Ive been up here, just never have connected on one yet. I know they frequent the areas I hunt, but as of yet no luck calling one in..at least that I know of.


   Sage

[Gutpile]

BTW, those are some good pics Billy!   

[Bscman]

BTKR, those are some great pics...I enjoy watching 'em scope things out. Looks like two very nice cats.

Gutpile, your cat has the coloration I am looking for. Probably not as likely to find one that light on the wet side, but I can hope.
If it's okay to ask, about what does it run to rug out a bobcat? We paid $600+ tax for my father's life-size on a rock, and it took about 8 months (he was SWAMPED with deer mounts).

The last cat I saw, late-july of this year, was hunched over facing away from me and I thought it was a bear cub at first. It's back was very dark brown.

One thing is for sure, there are a LOT of these cats out and about.
I've found them (or sign of them) in every area I frequent for deer and bear....not sure how I missed seeing them for so many years.

Good luck to all!

[rainshadow1]

What Bscman just said!

BTKR's pics are Western Washington orange hued coloration, but some amazing patterning. I saw one last year, almost solid orange, very little spotting. I'd have shot it if I could have got the crosshairs on it fast enough, no question, but it wasn't nearly as pretty. I got two the year before, orange hue, but spotted almost as nice. One the year before that, same orange, not as nice spotting.

gutpile's cat is that amazing dry country coloration. Beautiful pale! Not spotted as much as a Texas cat, but likely twice the fur.

As to the lite rounds, they're fine, unless you get one sitting down watching you at 150 yards, then you're going to be pooping yourself that you didn't have a more capable round! (Of course, thinking about shot distance, I've killed 3, failed to punctuate 2 others, been back doored twice - - and who knows how many I never knew were there - - in the last 3 years while Cougar hunting, and those were ALL inside 70 yards!)  My dedicated Bobcat round is a 222Rem with 40gr V-max. Easily take a Bobby at 200.

Good luck! Hope you nail a beauty... or two!

[Gutpile]

Thanks for the compliments. It was the first cat I had ever seen. I figured it was a yote til I screwed the power up. Couldn't believe my eyes!! The hackles went up on my neck when I went to go retrieve it, even more so than my bear. Something about cats that command respect. As far as the coloration goes, being color blind I cannot appreciate it as much as you abnormal folks with good color vision. The ones I saw in the same area were together and I spooked them from a rock as I was stalking a yote. They looked REALLY orange to me, but like I said .......colorblind.    If I was bird hunting with a shotgun I could have got them both but couldn't swing the 22-250 in time. 

If it's okay to ask, about what does it run to rug out a bobcat? We paid $600+ tax for my father's life-size on a rock, and it took about 8 months (he was SWAMPED with deer mounts).

Took about the same time but I honestly do not remember the cost. Seems like it was $550.00 or so. I purposely erase taxidermy costs from my mind so I don't have to lie to the wife. 

[Bscman]

As to the lite rounds, they're fine, unless you get one sitting down watching you at 150 yards, then you're going to be pooping yourself that you didn't have a more capable round! Good luck! Hope you nail a beauty... or two!

Most of the cats I've seen have been inside 75yds or so. I figured either would be capable at that distance....they're both more than capable accuracy wise.

Took about the same time but I honestly do not remember the cost. Seems like it was $550.00 or so. I purposely erase taxidermy costs from my mind so I don't have to lie to the wife. 

It looks great, and good idea about the costs. Not being married or "sharing" income, I haven't had the joys of those arguements........yet!

I haven't seen too many bobcat rugs...but I think you confirmed what I'm going to do with one. 

[Machias]

Go at night and call, your cat numbers will go up substantially and they are perfect for a shotgun, 3" mag with 00 buck out 60-70 yards.  Their eyes are HUGE red saucers coming in at night.  I like the woodpecker in distress calls for cats.

[jdb]

I have blown to opportunities in the last 2 years on cats . hopefully this is my year. I would love to try calling at nite, I have a fox-pro but don't really want to go alone if anyone else wants to give it a try let me know. JB

[Sagedawg]

JDB if I was closer I would. I still trying to figure out night calling. Ive done it for yotes a couple of times but not for cats. Good luck to you.


  Sage

[BC CHASER]

When calling at night do you leave the light on or periodically turn it on and off? Also do you use a red light or regular?  We went out one night with a regular spot light and had two run across the road in the same night.  We never got a shot on either one.  I dumped one with 00 buck a few years ago nice color but no size.

[DeKuma]

I have blown to opportunities in the last 2 years on cats . hopefully this is my year. I would love to try calling at nite, I have a fox-pro but don't really want to go alone if anyone else wants to give it a try let me know. JB

Too bad Selah is so far away or I would be on my way to help you out right now!  Would love to get a cat.  Been busted by them twice now and never got a shot.  Probably goo thing as I only had the 300WSM which I do not think is too pelt friendly...........

[snohohunter]

What kind of call is used for Bobcat?  I've never hunted or called them, but it sounds like fun.

Thanks, Snoho.

[Houndhunter]

nver seen one out hunting, they're always so small too. im very impressed at the guy who shot one at 178yrds, damn thing must've looked tiny in a scope

[Gutpile]

Looked like a yote only cooler. Thanks though

[alecvg]

ah man, i wanna get one sooooooooooooo bad, seen one ever, but never seen one well hunting, see their tracks everywhere.  hope to get one..

[Machias]

Cats feel much bolder at night.  I always use a red lense and leave the light on full time.  I have the heart of the beam just above the landscpe and slowly sweep around.  Big reds eyes bounding in are most likely yotes.  Red eyes slinking from bush to bush are usually cats.  Normally they will come in and sit down just as those awesome daytime photos up above.  I take the lense cover off just before I shoot.  They usually blink and then just sit there.  I haven't had any freak out when I remove the lense cover.  Cottontail calls work well, I just seem to have more cats come in with a wounded woodpecker calls.

[BC CHASER]

Do you hunt clearcuts or timber. 

[rainshadow1]

Bobcats are cats, and need their attention kept. Easily distracted. Call accordingly.

They're also lazy, (I believe), so set up accordingly. (Close to them, doesn't matter clearcut, doghair, or timber.)

[BC CHASER]

How long will you sit in one spot?

[Machias]

I mostly hunt brushy scabland along draws and waterways.  I also have good luck along creeks near brush piles or log piles.

[Machias]

Min 30 minutes

[BC CHASER]

I have a $#it load of them behind my house, I but up to timberland.  I really have never done the night thing I guess I will have to get a red light.  Any suggestions on lights?

[Big10gauge]

I'm just impatiently waiting, It's my favorite predator to hunt next to coyotes. Here's one from last year.

[billythekidrock]

B10G - Great picture!

[Gutpile]

WITH A BOW!!! Your far too studly to hang out around here!! 

[PolarBear]

I've taken 2 bobcats, a cougar and a dozen coyotes with my bow, does that count?     I plan on nailing my nuisance bobcat with my bow on the second.

[cascademountainhunter]

good pics

[rasbo]

bobs seem to take their time,if one is close it will be seen sooner.I give 40 minutes then I lose my patience,I was calling deer up in hancock and shot bobby at 12inches away from my boot,never saw it comming,50 cal muzzy at 12inches = washrag