Bobcat hunting, how to start?!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I know these things live in Washington, but I have never seen one, well I think I saw one in the blues once, but can't be sure.  Are they very elusive or something? Are there areas with higher populations?  How do you go about locating them?  Calling?  A little input on how to find these things and hunt themwould be greatly appreciated.  I live in Spokane, is there any good hunting in this area for them?  Thanks

[maddog]

I have often seen bobcat tracks in the Mt. Spokane area.  That's where I would start looking if I was you.

[Blackjaw]

Look for tracks (normally need snow for this), look for scat (cat scat looks different than coyote), look for areas with more food sources (lots of rabbits, lots of mice, lots of mountain beaver). These will up your odds, but cats are predictably unpredictable.

[flinter]

I got one last winter.  I talked to the game agent, when I had it tagged he said in western Washington the population of bobcats is one cat per sq. mile. I don't know if that holds true for the eastern side. Not sure how accurate that is. I'm guessing they are hard to count!!!

[Biggerhammer]

Run a spotlight! All of the Bobcats we have taken on the Eastside with the acceptation of a few have been taken under a light.

[bobcat]

Run a spotlight! All of the Bobcats we have taken on the Eastside with the acceptation of a few have been taken under a light.

What is a good spotlight to get? Is it important to use one with a red filter? I've got a bobcat visiting my bait/trail cam regularly, but most often it's around midnight. So I'm thinking my best chance of calling it in would be at that time. I don't even own a spotlight anymore, so I'd have to pick one up. Just not sure if it needs to have the red filter or not? And how bright? I've already got a couple grounds blinds built with natural materials in a field and I can see 200 to 300 yards.

I'm not sure I'd even need to be in the blind if I do it at night. 

[carpsniperg2]

We have spotlighted many cats. You don't need a red filter for them. You can shine them and spot them but you need to lock eyes on the spot you saw them in. Cats will look away from the light and then they are very hard to spot. They don't like to stare into the light. The red light helps with this some. There is no reason to have to have a lense.

Light force is the best spotlight money can buy. I have been spotlighting with my family and running a spotlight since I was 8. I have spent thousands in spotlights over the years. There is not spotlight that can even touch a light force.

Q BEAM is another very good much cheaper choice and one of my faves.

Remember if the new changes stick in the regs you will have to switch to a chargeable spotlight to get away from the rigs. Light force also makes one of these packs as well.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Good advice, I would really like to see some and get a shot, I was just thinking I have never seen one with all the hunting I do, I thought they were like Bigfoot and didn't exist.

[CastleRocker]

Just a heads up for a good spotlight for bobcats/predators.  I have used the Q-beam, (currently have one), the Lightforce (the best I've used), but for it's size and the money I would recommend the Streamlight Waypoint.  My wife and kids got me one for Christmas and it is great for it's size.  It's not rechargeable, but I use rechargeable batteries.   It's LED so the batteries do last a long time.

Just make sure you don't get excited and hit the strobe function by accident!  Coyotes are real hard to hit when you are laughing at how funny they look with the "disco light" shining on them!