Mystery

[Bullytrout]

I Recently checked  two bobcat traps on a creek about 30’ apart. . First traps door is closed, and I am thinking “another f-ing possum”, but just maybe? (You have to love that sense of anticipation).  Cross the creek and look in the trap, nothing. No bait, no critter. 

Look to the trap on the right and door is open but something is not right. hmmm, what is different?  Oh yeah, that trap was covered in brush the day before.

The cedar bark and bows trap covering the trap were strewn 5’  all directions and a 8”x8” hole 2” deep was dug 2/3rds the way down the  side of the trap.

This set was on private property and There has not been any problems with trespassing.

Any ideas on what went on here?

[Bullytrout]

And the story continues...... (hopefully the videos show up)

[JakeLand]

My guess is coyotes or a long tail cat

[Bullytrout]

I had 2 cameras at this set , one pointed at each trap.  The last video shows the bait from the first trap being eaten, this is the trap with the shut door.

More to come.....

[Bullytrout]

Heading towards the second trap....

[Bullytrout]

How do you get the beaver without the door falling onto your head ?
(Something happed with the upload, fast forward 45 sec.)

[Bullytrout]

Interesting coincidence in another area.  Checking a bait today I walked up on another cougar eating the beaver that had been hanging.  I was within 50’ of the tree looking where the beaver had been and looked down to see if there was any sign of the bait.  That was when we both noticed each other, the cat backed off pretty quickly but didn’t go very far.

[JakeLand]

Tag in pocket ? I'd do a little calling in that area 

[Bullytrout]

I didn’t even have my trapping pistol!  I think there is a cougar behind every bush around here.

Scouting another area in December I found a cougar kill and have had a number of baits this year go missing with snapped wire.

[Cultusman]

 Are you wiring your bait to the inside back of the cage?
 Yes the Cougars and Coyotes will set off your trap but your bait should still be in there.

[JakeLand]

I  have trouble with long tails every year  them and coyotes are a pain in my @zz that's why I wire my cages to something so they don't get drug off . I've never had a bear mess with em but long tails and yotes all the time

[Bullytrout]

The bait was wired enough to hang the bait but evidently not well enough to keep it from being pulled out.

I really should start wiring off the traps as well. This location and another flooded pretty good with the last storm.

[Humptulips]

I  have trouble with long tails every year  them and coyotes are a pain in my @zz that's why I wire my cages to something so they don't get drug off . I've never had a bear mess with em but long tails and yotes all the time

Yep, I sure wish we could trap cougars.

I wire all my baits in cages. I do not think coyotes are a problem but cougar do go in, eat the bait and back out. If they can't pull it loose they will eat it on the spot before backing out.
Only had two bear issues in several years. Thankfully they are mostly snoozing.

Tie your traps up! lands sets to keep lions and tigers and bears from packing them off.
Water sets to save them fro the high water. I was just recently told about a fellow lost two brand new swimthroughs to high water. Set 'em and never seen them again.