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Author Topic: What is a Bobcats range?  (Read 5646 times)

Offline jrebel

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What is a Bobcats range?
« on: November 25, 2015, 10:11:55 PM »
Saw a huge Bobcat today while out deer hunting.  Tried to track him down in the snow but ended up not being able to follow as he went into some of the thickest reprod I have ever seen in my life.  How far do they range and what is the likelyhood I could call him in after deer season is over? 

Offline 3nails

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2015, 10:19:17 PM »
 Very good odds if you can trap him. Fair odds to call him. Slim to none to run into him.
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Offline rainshadow1

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2015, 10:30:43 PM »
Good Bobcat spot will usually have tracks year after year it seems like to me. I haven't studied them like I've studied Lions, but I think it's pretty small. Like within that square mile depending on the terrain features.
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Offline jrebel

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2015, 10:32:46 PM »
I need to take the trapping class......saw this cat up close and cut two or three other sets of cat tracks today in the snow.  Would love to have a Bob rug. 

Offline 3nails

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2015, 10:39:38 PM »
I need to take the trapping class......saw this cat up close and cut two or three other sets of cat tracks today in the snow.  Would love to have a Bob rug.
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Offline yankees2

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2015, 07:21:57 AM »
 :yeah: it's addictive for sure

Offline Caseknife

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2015, 07:51:53 AM »
Don't know the size of their range, but heard years ago that cats hunt in a circuit, visiting the same areas.  Cougars take about 21 days to complete the circuit and bobcats take about 11-12 days.

Offline rasbo

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2015, 05:01:38 AM »
calling bobs is a great way to gettem,you must keep a watchful eye they blend in well.

Offline WAcoyotehunter

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2015, 05:31:54 AM »
They will have a pretty big range, but twnd to check in pretty regularly.  They generally move quite a bit.

Offline DOUBLELUNG

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2015, 09:52:28 AM »
The odds he will remain within the area you found him are very high.  Not continuously, but as others have noted he will circuit through that area.  Their range is highly dependent on the availability of prey; where rabbit densities are high, the ranges can be very small.  3nails described your chances of killing him pretty perfectly. 
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline jasnt

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2015, 05:25:33 PM »
I believe I read some where that a tom bobcats range will depend on prey density's but often 2-5 square miles. Females range is smaller and cats territory's will often over lap a little( mostly toms over lapping sevral females
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Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #11 on: November 29, 2015, 05:30:30 PM »
A buddy of mine hunts the Hancock for Bobbies. He finds their scat kicks it off the road or trail then sets up. His strategy is to wait as they have a daily route they run. When they come by to remark their trial he squeaks and pops them. Has taken 2 in the past few weeks.
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Offline KFhunter

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #12 on: November 30, 2015, 11:03:52 AM »
Seen this one couple days ago, stood still for a picture albeit not a very good one.  Wishing I had the dslr

« Last Edit: November 30, 2015, 04:54:56 PM by KFhunter »

Offline reelmcoy

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2015, 04:01:51 PM »
here in Washington state studies have been active since 1975 they have collared some, the home ranges varied from 1.5 miles to 3.25 miles for females and 2.5 miles to 6 miles for males and there home ranges a lot of times over lap ,but i think food is what really determines it ,i have always thought if i find fresh scat the bobcat is within hearing distance of my call

Offline Humptulips

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Re: What is a Bobcats range?
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2015, 04:42:41 PM »
here in Washington state studies have been active since 1975 they have collared some, the home ranges varied from 1.5 miles to 3.25 miles for females and 2.5 miles to 6 miles for males and there home ranges a lot of times over lap ,but i think food is what really determines it ,i have always thought if i find fresh scat the bobcat is within hearing distance of my call

I read a study done in MN that found that bobcats will spend several days in a small area hunting it and then move to another area within their range. Kind of make that circuit but by hunting an area hard and then moving around to hunt another area hard for 2 or 3 days.
From my experience trapping here in W WA they should return to an area within  two weeks but like said food availability is a key factor.
Bruce Vandervort

 


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