Oh so close, but no cigar... or bobby for that matter.

[billythekidrock]

A few weeks back I posted some pics of two different bobcats within feet of my traps and I thought that was a kick in the gut. But look at the images (from video) from last night.

This time it was within inches of the entrance.



It then grabbed a piece of meat and turned away.



Only to lay down and eat right in front of the camera.




Nothing like a good kick in the nuts. 

[runamuk]

Damn cat makes me want to kick it in the butt so it will jump in 

Cool pics so close

[grundy53]

 

[Kain]

Oh man that is harsh to look at.  Almost be better to not know.    You must be doing something right to be bringing them in.  They must just not be hungry.

[CastleRocker]

That's just plumb mean, now I know why I don't have cameras! 

[saylean]

sometimes, ya just gotta laugh.

[Humptulips]

Maybe he is getting acclimated to the trap. Got one snack, he might be back for more. Could be hope for the future.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Is that a racoon in the first picture?  I'm seeing a ringed tail at the entrace to the trap.  Might be a bobby sneaking up behind him.  Dunno.

[billythekidrock]

Is that a racoon in the first picture?  I'm seeing a ringed tail at the entrace to the trap.  Might be a bobby sneaking up behind him.  Dunno.

Nope, no coon. Those three pictures were taken from a 20 second video. The cat walks broadside to the camera, turns to the trap and doubles back to lay down.

[billythekidrock]

Maybe he is getting acclimated to the trap. Got one snack, he might be back for more. Could be hope for the future.

He's had about 5 visits in 30 days so I would hope that he is acclimated.  

Yesterday afternoon I removed that trap an put in one that is about two inches wider. I had an elk esophagus and throat meat in the trap for about two weeks so I took it out and left it out front of the trap and put in fresh/frozen deer scraps.

[billythekidrock]

He was back at 6 am for maybe one minute. I should have set up to call this area before going in.

I got two 20 second videos of him and he was more cautious then I have seen him in the nearly 30 minutes of video I have. Here is a pic of him stretching to reach a piece of the old bait.



He grabbed a piece and took off.

[Humptulips]

OK, so here is the question. Why are you feeding the cat outside the cage? The cat is interested in the bait because it is hungry so stop feeding it. Make it go in the trap to get its meal.

[Bigshooter]

OK, so here is the question. Why are you feeding the cat outside the cage? The cat is interested in the bait because it is hungry so stop feeding it. Make it go in the trap to get its meal.

I agree.  I watched A dvd the other day that Stacey Yancy did.  And he does not put anything outside of his trap.  Everything goes in the back of it.

[TeacherMan]

What are the dimensions of your trap? Did you boil your boxes in log wood dye for scent control along with handling with rubber gloves?   Your trap seems really propped up, maybe bed it down a bit and cover the bottom wire with soil and moss. put some ferns over the top and leave the back open, like a cubby. Good luck, trail cams can make a person go crazy sometimes.  

[MuleySniper]

I read an article on pressure baiting. The guy who wrote the article was using this method for yotes but I don't know why it wouldn't work for cats too. He starts by placing bait (large portions) daily in the same spot then eventually lessening the amount of bait on a regular basis until the bait pile ends up the size of a softball. In theory, they become accustomed to the bait and as the portions become smaller it creates more competition to get to the bait. This is supposed to make more competition between the varmints to get the bait before the next so they make more mistakes.
MS