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

[Bigshooter]

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.  

Also in that DVD Yancey said don't worry about scent control for bobcats.

[TeacherMan]

Get some good cat lure like beaver castor or magnum marten works really well if you can find it. In terms of bait there is nothing better than actual beaver, muskrat works okay then ducks, and on down to rabbits. Ducks (birds in general) tend to get a really pungent smell that cats like. The only thing we ever got with a deer hide was a cougar. The only reason my dad used the hide was I grabbed it out of the freezer thinking it was a frozen beaver   Fish and game let that cat go. It had a radio collar on it that was restricking its breathing, actually saved its life. That was back in the early 90's up above Green Water.

[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.  

Also in that DVD Yancey said don't worry about scent control for bobcats.

I guess that aspect of my trap line comes from running steel traps but I tend to and have always tended to catch more cats in a season running only a dozen sets or so than people setting 50. I key on quality sets. Low impact, no, to little scent, natural, and curiosity. Plus you never know when a tom may come by that's been caught in a trap before and remembers the smell of steel.

[billythekidrock]

I will try to answer all here.

First off this spot started out as trail cam only for yotes/coons/bobs with a couple of deer hides for an attractor. After some bob pics the spot dried up and I brought in a bucket of taxidermy scraps and the bones from a deer. The bob came back. I then borrowed a couple of cages and buried the remaining scraps and bones. With nothing in sight, either a cat or dog was hanging up on the periphery one night, but other than that nothing. The cat apparently didn't like the squeaker box and feathers insidethe trap so I place a chunk of beaver and a pheasant neck in the trap. After a few weeks I removed the old bait and placed new bait in the trap. A week later the cat ate the old bait. Now a few weeks later, when changing to the larger trap, I just dumped the old bait out in front and placed fresh in the back of the trap.

I have used a grouse wing in the back of the trap with an old nest and feathers. Also beaver castor (small chunks)

The current trap is the largest of the 3 nested "Yancy" traps. The trap has been completely covered, partially covered and barely covered. The bottom has been covered with dirt and moss or ferns.

I would like to catch him, but on the other hand I have gotten some cool photos and videos.

[Hannibal]

I would turn the cage,,,,,,,,,,

[Humptulips]

I would turn the cage,,,,,,,,,,

I would not. Let him get comfortable with it where it is. It was a mistake to change traps IMHO. Everytime you change something it makes him cautious.

OK so I've only caught two this year so my advice is worth about

[Hannibal]

Code: [Select]

I would not
works for otter.......and it works "other" cat cagers....

I agree that changing cages was a bad move

urine goes behind the pan

[billythekidrock]

The trap was turned for more than a month then it was suggested that I turn it. Worth a shot. I also agree that it is not the best to switch traps, but it has been there for a long a$$ time and I was hoping the slightly larger opening would be more inviting.

[Hannibal]

sucks!!!!!!!!!!  maybe??move to ewa were it is easier?

Buttttttttttt?  if Bruce can do it............   

[Humptulips]

sucks!!!!!!!!!!  maybe??move to ewa were it is easier?

Buttttttttttt?  if Bruce can do it............   

I had three beautiful pictures on my trail cam of a big bobcat standing in front of a trap today.
Looked like I had a bobcat at another trap also but no camera there.
Came home with three civets so I think I should lay off on giving advice.

[billythekidrock]

sucks!!!!!!!!!!  maybe??move to ewa were it is easier?

Buttttttttttt?  if Bruce can do it............   

I had three beautiful pictures on my trail cam of a big bobcat standing in front of a trap today.
Looked like I had a bobcat at another trap also but no camera there.

Bummer. But seriously, all advice is appreciated as all situations are not the same.

[timber tiger]

still im in rage!! put a rat in the cage!!or at least a mouse....just my 2cents