Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: ouchfoss on January 27, 2013, 02:06:16 PM

Title: Bobcat tactics
Post by: ouchfoss on January 27, 2013, 02:06:16 PM: I just got my first home-built traps set out 2 days ago with bobcat being my target and I put them in spots where I have pretty regularly seen and called in cats the last few years. I know bobcats are territorial and I would assume there probably isnt more than one adult cat running around an area so this got me thinking about whether it is worth leaving your trap in place even after you get a cat or would it be more productive to just put it elsewhere?
Title: Re: Bobcat tactics
Post by: Humptulips on January 27, 2013, 08:07:19 PM: I have often caught multiple cats at one location. One location comes to mind where I caught 11 over 4 years. I have caught 3 in one year at a location lots of times. This was before cage traps but I have doubled a couple times with cage traps.
I have this rule I try to follow now. Started using it about 10 years ago as my way of managing my harvest of cats. If I catch an adult male I move the trap. If I catch a female or kitten I leave it in and wait for the tom to show.
Title: Re: Bobcat tactics
Post by: UrbanTrapper on February 11, 2013, 08:30:31 PM: Bruce,

I think I understand what you are saying but... I caught an adult Tom (29 lbs.) today on a good-sized river. I'm guessing he was traveling along it looking for love, at this time of year, but I'm still pretty new at this and not a bobcat whisperer. So, should I move this trap or keep it in place because I think it may be on a travel corridor rather than one Tom's territory?
Title: Re: Bobcat tactics
Post by: Humptulips on February 12, 2013, 12:14:18 AM: Quote from: WAUrbanTrapper on February 11, 2013, 08:30:31 PM
Bruce,

I think I understand what you are saying but... I caught an adult Tom (29 lbs.) today on a good-sized river. I'm guessing he was traveling along it looking for love, at this time of year, but I'm still pretty new at this and not a bobcat whisperer. So, should I move this trap or keep it in place because I think it may be on a travel corridor rather than one Tom's territory?

You are right when you mention looking for love. It is breeding time for cats and there is probably good reasoning in what you say. I think a lot of this managing ones line kind of gets thrown out with the cage traps anyway. You're not likely to hurt the population cage trapping so yea, leave it in.
I know with the cage traps I don't feel like I can give very good advise. I seem to be catching diddly squat of late. I think your instincts about going for another are sound.