Special Techniques for Bobcat???

[atomicjoe23]

Any special techniques for bobcat that I should know of?

I think I may have found a spot that has one. . .I'm gonna go back later this week and give it a try. . .

. . .found some fresh (from today) scat when I was out looking for coyotes this morning and I don't think it was coyote scat. . .was a little smaller than what I'm used to seeing and there were no tracks nearby, I usually see coyote tracks when I see scat, but I didn't see any this time.

The are was pretty brushy and all I had was the .22-250 today so I didn't set up to call; I wanted to wait till I had the 870 so I could actually see and hit what came in and I didn't want to ruin my chances by calling when I wasn't ready. . .looked like an area a bobcat would like to me (what do I know though. . .). Like I said, pretty brushy, lots of trees, some water pretty nearby. . .just looked appealing to me for some reason. . .I didn't spend too long in the area, but I scouted at two places that I could set-up from. . .one is in really tight quarters and I thought I might try some rodent squeaks in there and the other gives me a little more room and I thought maybe some bird distress calls since there are so many birds in the area (I did find a big poof of feathers earlier on the trail in, but I can't say that was from whatever is in there and not from someone getting a grouse though. . .)

. . .anyway I appreciate any advice.

[Jburke]

Well, take this information for what it's worth.  I have never called in a bobcat, all of the time's I've seen them it has been by luck.  I know people who have and have talked to people that do it however. 
Now from what I have been told, a bobcat will generally require you to stay on stand longer than a coyote as they typically don't come charging in to your calls.  Also, tie a feather or something to a tree branch so that it will move in the wind and take the attention away from you or your caller.  And in regards to the area you are planning on hunting, I believe that cats generally try to bury their scat and dogs do not.  If it looks like there was an attempt to bury it, it was probably a cat, otherwise I would guess yote.  Not always necessarily true I guess, but I think that's typical.  But in all honesty, it sure can't hurt to try either way, just because you haven't seen sign of them, doesn't mean they aren't there.   
And on a side note, would a .22 be enough at close range for bobcat?  I have my AR set up for predator hunting so I was just curious if that would be a better close range option?

[rasbo]

22 will work well at close range..I head shoot them.I use a 22 mag.And a .243 depends on the areas Im hunting.creeks brush and reprod edges,put all those together, and dont plan on seeing one all the time.In fact they will spot you and leave without you knowing it.They will sit and search for you,leaving good shots if you spot them first

[FALFire]

May have been from Fox also, as jburke stated, "cats will bury their scat" unless the ground is frozen then they would try to cover it with whatever ground cover is available, it's just there nature.

[MADMAX]

AtomicJoe
I have called in 3 bobs and 1 cougar across Hood canal bridge, PM me for some tips or if you'd like to chat.

[rasbo]

If you find an area like this,very good...Potty dump.I don't find poop buried usually will have some scratching but no attempt to bury.these are their boundary markers

[atomicjoe23]

Hey thanks for the tips guys. . .greatly appreciated.

I knew about the wait longer and I should be used to not seeing anything by now (a little frustrating to say the least), but I hadn't thought about the feather idea. . .it's so simple and gives a little action. I should try that more often!

Thanks!

MadMax. . .PM sent.

[Machias]

If you have the gear to hunt at night your chances on bobcats goes up considerably.

[atomicjoe23]

I have a rechargeable spotlight that puts out a TON of light. . .and is actually a really good spotlight. . .the battery power will last for 6 hrs. before it starts to fade and that's in the cold snowy night air. . .I have a red lens cover for it also.

What else would I need. . .I think it would be nice to have one of the scope mounted Primos night spots so I  could have the spotlight on the gun and keep my hands free for the e-caller and the gun, but I don't have one. . .yet.

[Machias]

Your set, you just need to practice holding the light on their eyes and shooting.  Shotguns work great at night, 00 buck = very little pelt damage and you don't have to worry quite as much about what is downrange in the dark.  Keep the main beam above thier eyes, keep them in the halo part of the light.  Alot of guys mount their spotlights to a camera tripod to keep their hands free while they shoot.

[DOUBLELUNG]

A white wing (last two bones) from a domestic chicken or duck works great if there is no snow, use a dark wing if hunting over snow.  Strips of tanned rabbit hide are good too, you want it to catch the slightest breeze and move.  You can get tanned, bone-out whitetail deer tails from any fly tying shop, the colors are dandy.

Tie about 6' of fishing line to the lure, and tie a wire hook (baling wire, from a broken bungie, etc) to the other.  Put it in a gallon ziploc with some sagebrush twigs, fir twigs or whatever is aromatic brush in your area.  Wear rubber gloves, or use a stick to take it out and put it back in the bag so you don't scent it up.  Great movable setup that can be hung from any branch.  If you set up the hook like a slip bobber, or run the line under a tight rubber band around the shaft of the hook, you can instantly adjust length for optimum hanging, from just off the ground.  If you set it up close to the edge of the densest cover upwind, in range and within line of sight, your wait time can sometimes be less, and chances of spooking mr. kitty less, than if you set it up in the middle of the open.  Mr. kitty likes to stay close to cover.  

[atomicjoe23]

Excellent advice guys. . .I've got someone who raises chickens so I can get white and dark wings pretty much anytime! That tip sounds like dynamite and super low budget too!

I've got a stock pile of 00-buck from last winter when all I had was the 870 and I was doing some hunting in a firearms restricted area.

The area where I'm wanting to go try out is pretty dense, definitely not wide open. . .now I just need the rain to stop! and get a clear day/night. . .apparently the coyotes and bob's are pickier than I am about what type of weather they want to go cruisin' around in. . .funny I wouldn't have thought it mattered that much, but everyone says it's no good to try hunting in the rain. . .I would have thought that they needed to eat no matter what and a dinner bell nearby during the rain would be pretty tempting. . .like I said before though, what do I know.

[saylean]

If you find an area like this,very good...Potty dump.I don't find poop buried usually will have some scratching but no attempt to bury.these are their boundary markers

I found a spot like this up where I shot my deer this year...

[Kain]

I found a spot like that also.  I thought it was coyote.

[atomicjoe23]

I have yet to find a spot like that. . .

. . .heck this week was the first time I've heard any coyote vocalization while I've been out. . .and I KNOW there are coyotes out there. I see scat and tracks and people have told me they see them out there all the time. . .I just don't see them while I'm looking for them and ready to whack one!

[carpsniperg2]

If you have the gear to hunt at night your chances on bobcats goes up considerably.

x2

[stumprat]

I have had luck on cats with hand calls. But far better luck with E-calls. Not so much because of the sound. It allows me continuous calling, with no movement. They have great eyesight!!!!!!!
Decoys will help a ton to pull them out of heavy cover. I use a Mojo Critter and it works very well for me.
You also don't have to worry so much about over calling an area.  I have blown a chance one day. And called the same cat in the next.
Be willing to let the Coyotes walk if you want to get Bobcats.
Hotspots I like to look for are beaver dams and ponds. Alder flats next to big timber. And Places I have killed cats before, (certain places  are cat magnets).
Log all sightings you hear about. Or places you have seen sign.

I use prey distress(usually cottontail) early in the season. And Bobcat vocalizations in February through early March mixed in with some distress.

As far as hunting at night. I have not found a  noticable difference from daytime calling. I have found them to be more active closer to daylight (from about 4:00 am to daylight) seems to be the active time for rabbits

Everybody hunts them a little differently. This has worked for me. Hope it helps.

[atomicjoe23]

Awesome. . .thanks for the advice!

The area I was in was VERY similar to that. . .big timber mixed with opening of smaller deciduous trees. . .a small pond right there. . .and a BIG downed hollow tree. . .might have been something in there, but I sure wasn't gonna stick my head in there!!!!

I'm anxious to get back out. . .as soon as the rain stops since I've heard that isn't good hunting.

[rasbo]

wow all my bobs have been with hand calls.The foxpro sounds a  little tinny to me.I'm going to put some cloth over the speaker and see if that helps.I agree being able to be still is good.I use one finger movement only on the calls.But I cant help but wonder how many have come up behind me and bailed,I know several have seen the tracks.The mojo will help keep the eyes off ya..Rain does suck from what Ive noticed,never called one in while its raining

[stumprat]

wow all my bobs have been with hand calls.The foxpro sounds a  little tinny to me.I'm going to put some cloth over the speaker and see if that helps.I agree being able to be still is good.I use one finger movement only on the calls.But I cant help but wonder how many have come up behind me and bailed,I know several have seen the tracks.The mojo will help keep the eyes off ya..Rain does suck from what Ive noticed,never called one in while its raining

If the Foxpro sounds tinny. Try just using just the cone speaker without the Horn. When I was using a Foxpro the cone had better and softer sound. And used the cone horn combo for more volume.

Hand calls work great. But it sure is fun to see them come in without a clue that you are there.
I use a Minaska now and sure have fallen in love with this call.

[rasbo]

wow all my bobs have been with hand calls.The foxpro sounds a  little tinny to me.I'm going to put some cloth over the speaker and see if that helps.I agree being able to be still is good.I use one finger movement only on the calls.But I cant help but wonder how many have come up behind me and bailed,I know several have seen the tracks.The mojo will help keep the eyes off ya..Rain does suck from what Ive noticed,never called one in while its raining

If the Foxpro sounds tinny. Try just using just the cone speaker without the Horn. When I was using a Foxpro the cone had better and softer sound. And used the cone horn combo for more volume.

Hand calls work great. But it sure is fun to see them come in without a clue that you are there.
I use a Minaska now and sure have fallen in love with this call.

my speakers are built in..fox pro 3...Im gonna try some flannel over them..Ya Ive been using it the past few days and nothing,but even hand calling has dry spells...love calling bobs

[atomicjoe23]

Gonna get my feather/wing decoys made up tomorrow!

[Galpster]

Anybody need some company? I have never hunted kitties but would love to try it. Do you leave the light on all the time or ? I do not see how it works at night time. If you leave the light on all the time won't the animal know you are there?

I have never hunted at night so I have no idea what to do. And what is this hanging feathers in trees. What does that do? I don't think a feather is going to attrack a kittie.

Any help would really help me.

Thanks

[actionshooter]

What sounds are being used and does the geographical locations make a difference on the sounds?

[rasbo]

What sounds are being used and does the geographical locations make a difference on the sounds?

no they all sound phoney in a sense,im thinking cloth will take it out..

[atomicjoe23]

Do you leave the light on all the time or ?

This is something I have wondered about as well. . .I have always left the light on (with a red lens) and minimized movement. . .can't see anything at all otherwise (unless it's a full moon and clear)

I

do not see how it works at night time. If you leave the light on all the time won't the animal know you are there?

Apparently with a red filter lens on, the animals don't really seem to notice the light. . .just what I've heard, can't say whether it's true or not. . .

And what is this hanging feathers in trees. What does that do? I don't think a feather is going to attrack a kittie.

The feather is a decoy along with the sound. . .the feather creates motion which will attract the bob's eyes (cats are very vision oriented predators), if the bob has something to look at near where the call is coming from that isn't you, they are less likely to notice you. . .this is most effective with a remote caller. . .it gives them something obvious to look at that goes with the sound so they don't spend their time looking for you. . .

[Machias]

I don't think you call more cats in during the night then day, however the difference is you "see" more cats sneaking in.  During the day I believe plenty of cats respond to the calls, but they move slowly from piece of cover to piece of cover.  The have fantastic camouflage.  At night, even when sneaking in their eyes look like two giant fireballs.  Much easier to see then during the daytime.

[AWS]

Here's a cheap fix for a tinny speaker.



I sewed a four pannel padded camo cover for this JS speaker.  It really mellowed the sound and camoed the speake when I was using remot witht Azden remote system.

AWS