I set a few cubbies on some fresh (3 day old) tracks.
How long before they usually come back by there?? on one set, I found where the lynx had bedded down, will they tend to do that in the same area??

If there are plenty of rabbits around, they might not go far. Of course they may not be too hungry either. Have some lure.
If rabbits are scarce they can do some travelling. Can't really predict what kind of time frame they might come back on.
mt

I did the area up good, I hung about 4 or 5 duck wings around, use rimrock for call, and I have a big hunk of beaver and a rabbit in the cubby. and a 750 wolf OS.

I'm having similar problems. Wayy too many rabbits. I also have some competition. I have a guy setting within a mile of my area.

I'll going all out this next check with ribbon, wings, lure, more beaver. I might even through in a extra trap or two.

I'll bet that if you order some of those, they'll draw the cats to your sets.

what are you using for lure??
I was thinking of getting some catnip at the store and putting that around..

I was just using that Marten Super All Call. I didn't want too much attention paid to it as we had high traffic with the K300 last weekend.

king and buseer put a WHOOPin on those others eh,
anyways, maybe I will put out some magnum marten there

the lure I was using Rimrock, is basically castor and catnip.

Do you have to set "on top" of their tracks, or in the area??
My last set is at a funnel, and there are 3 sets crossing there, BUT, it is also where the trail cuts through, so I set of about 50 yds, "downstream" of there because of the traffic.

I caught my lynx this year in a cubby baited with a rabbit and tainted beef scraps, used the Powder River Cat Call for lure, a grouse wing swingin' in the breeze. I heard that Dean Wilson used PRCC for canines as well, I haven't tried that application yet. I used Bridger #3's, seems to be a good trap for this.

Yah, they sure did. King has this race wired and it seems to be a good one to get because of the prize money $20000.

I put my cubbies in areas that the cats have been seen in the past.

I like to use duck or spruce hen for bait in my cat sets. I use bridger #3s mostly.

Clint, your cats made it to my end of the road this week. lol

Loel,

Did you pick up an cats this weekend?

I've had my share of experience with picky cats. I found 2 thingsd that helped.
I quit making cubbies, sort of, and started making a big obvious dirt hole with some sticks, and spruce boughs as guiding. Make this set under a well furred spruce for weather protection. Bait, lure and sight attractor. The cats seemed more likely to approach to where they stepped on the trap. I put the bait on the ground, in the hole, which means the shrews/voles would be eating it, but vole activity at a set isn't all bad.
The other thing I did was walk, or snowshoe, off my snogo trail to the tree where the snowhole was made. Even in little snow, you can make an obvious trail. Hang snares on that trail. Sometimes I did one, sometimes 2. it appeard that from whatever direction the lynx approached my set, he would end up walking on my trail. If he didn't enjoy the pleasures of the bait and trap, me often ended up in the snare.
Of course, you have to consider weather, snow, wind, etc. when making these sets.
There's one other set that was a 100% catch rate set for me. Make a snowhole on an incline, like the side of a beaver house. Set your trap so he has to step up onto it to peer into the hole. I think the curiosity factor, to see what is in the hole(that he probably already smelled) always did him in.
mt

Ted, no I didn't connect on any. I missed one twice with snares. The extra 10" of snow since last week didn't help on that one. The other came in to a cubby and circled it and left. Another came in on another cubby and ate my duck. The snow that fell off of the tree covered the trap. The cat even layed on top of the trap and ate the duck. Go figure.

Clint it has been real slow year. Not my best year by any means. I am spending more time resetting then exploring this year.

MT, I have been playing with a snow hole set this year. I put about a baseball sized hole in the snow bank on the side of my trail. I put bait and lure in the hole and put a #3 in front of it. Now all I need is some cats to walk by. lol

Rather than post twice, I'd appreciate it if you cat guys would critique some of my cubbies posted at:
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=56031&page=0#Post56031

While targeting bobcats, I think your conditions are more similar to mine than most of the lower 48. Comments would be appreciated.

I am having the same problem with cats going by sets. I think MT idea of dirt holes and snares is best. I am setting snares in the trail where it narrows down. I will hang the snare and set a branch in the trail to block the other side funneling them into the snare. This works very well for me.

I never realized Clint that the cubbies had to be that big. I might have to call [I'madork] Proenneke and get some cabin making hints. I made mine big enough that the cat's whiskers wouldn't touch the sides, but not nearly that big. I might have to make my next one a little bit bigger. I'm pretty anxious to check tomorrow.

5ft tall, but how wide????
I try to make em around 15 in wide at the base. I like to use an alder that is forked and use it for the opening, which is about waste high...I might even get pictures developed thisweekend.

Lynx cubby should be big enough that a lynx can turn around in it. Dusty gave the best piece of advice, put your foothold way out front, anyone who traps lynx can relate to lynx approaching only so far without committing. Also lure up front of cubby as well as bait and lure back portion. Doesn't hurt to hang a few snares on the sides or back of cubbies either. When rabbits are plentiful and you know where lynx are hunting them put your snares right on the runs. The height of the snare allows a rabbit to run under but will catch a cat. You have to put out lots of snares though if you want big numbers.

I would not overlook martentrappers comments. A general rule is lynx become less interested in cubbies as the season progresses. I get way more walkby's in mid to late January than I do in December. Modified dirtholes, snares, and pee post's seem a little more effective late season. Make a visual mess (dig down into the dirt and spread it around), try something different to get their attention. Dusty is right too with bringing the trap out from the cubby, that can never hurt as long as you do not have rabbits everywhere. That still does not help with walk-bys though, you know, the ones where the lynx does not even stop.

Here is a pic of some trapped and snared lynx from earlier in the season.




It is all part of trapping.