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West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) #6156267
02/13/18 02:10 AM
02/13/18 02:10 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
T
Texaswats Offline OP
trapper
Texaswats  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
Been home a couple of days now and it's starting to sink in finally wink

We had an amazing trip to a ranch in Comstock, Texas. My buddy had worked and previously trapped the place about 6 years ago. With terrain like I'd never trapped before, to say running footholds was tough is an understatement. Dirt of any kind is hard to come by.

The ranch has quite a few well preserved Indian rock art paintings as well. I visited 'Halo Shelter' which was really quite interesting. It's believed to be between 2000-4000 years old.
[Linked Image]

We had a pretty good line out and catching plenty of greys, skunks, coons, and opossums. Finally our 5th check my buddy Shannon hits a nice tom bobcat in a finger right off the Devil's River.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Even though it was more than just a little scratch, I manage to snap a remake picture.
[Linked Image]
Little complication with the catch pole on dispatch and he hit me with a left hook that could have been way worse than it was. No stitches, but probably would have been a good idea.
[Linked Image]
Now it's looking good healing into a nice trappers scar. Lol!

We continued to have good luck with the coons and greys, even two ringtail in the Bridger #3's.
[Linked Image]

On February 1st, early in the morning, we come up to my first Val Verde county bobcat. An old mean grandpa of a Tom.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
I remake my set and we continue checking.
[Linked Image]

We head out of the North Canyon of the ranch and up to a top road we felt good about lacing with traps. Sure enough, Shannon has a nice female bobcat waiting in a Bridger #3 he set.
[Linked Image]

Our only 2 cat day in what would eventually be 9 checks. We were very happy to say the least.
[Linked Image]

We are on our way to check the High Fence area of the ranch when I really needed to take a pee break. I urge my buddy to stop, and I get out and away from the Ranger a about 20 feet to give room and some respect to the lady on board while I completed my errand. I just get my overalls in clipped and my buddy is scream whispering 'Mountain Lion' as he's grabbing his .204 Ruger. He had spotted a mature mom who we later discovered was on a fresh grey fox kill. She darted downward into a canyon, losing altitude and gaining distance quickly, not giving a shot. For the young lion with her, the top ridge seemed a better route, exposed and in the open. She started out at about 80 yards, moving fast right to left. Shannon made two shots with the second narrowly missing over the back. The lion pivots and starts to head toward us and he anchors it with a perfect headshot. Never have I felt such a relief as when I saw that cat stop moving on the cliff side.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

We were all over the top with excitement. We try to glass while Shannon heads to the cliff edge to try to see the mom he had originally spotted, but she had escaped.
We get the lion kitten (Texas Parks biologist estimated 9 months old) to the Ranger. Shannon tells me to make my best mountain lion set in the road near the largest cedar tree we knew could hold one. I set a Bridger #3 in a nice bed and send it.

We finish checking the line. Come back to the camp house and start celebrating. We go to the J&P's in Comstock and continue celebrating and carrying on with the locals. We head out at around 9:00 from the bar and get back to the ranch finally around 10:00. The gameplan had been to attempt to predator call the mom back in at night in the same spot we killed the first one. We roll up to the spot, and my trap is missing from its bed. In the cedar, small and young as it may be, was a trapped Texas Mountain Lion. My first and hopefully one of many.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
One happy Texas trapper...
[Linked Image]

What an unbelievable adventure. I know the ranch owner will be glad to have us back next year, and that's always a good feeling as well.






-Texaswats
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156276
02/13/18 02:51 AM
02/13/18 02:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,973
Ohio
C
Computer Hater Offline
trapper
Computer Hater  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,973
Ohio
Great story and pics. Congratulations!!!


Randy
Member NTA, FTA
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156300
02/13/18 07:08 AM
02/13/18 07:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,076
Central Texas - Erath- Real Co...
Ol' Smoke Offline
trapper
Ol' Smoke  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,076
Central Texas - Erath- Real Co...
Y'all are doing something right. Great adventure, Congrats and thanks for
taking us along!!


---- CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE----Bye, Bye Miss American Pie----
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156311
02/13/18 07:18 AM
02/13/18 07:18 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,535
Saginaw, Mi
M
micheal Offline
trapper
micheal  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,535
Saginaw, Mi
Congrats

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156325
02/13/18 07:46 AM
02/13/18 07:46 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,144
Central Florida/ Formerly Ohio
H
Hoppytrapsfur Offline
trapper
Hoppytrapsfur  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,144
Central Florida/ Formerly Ohio
Thanks, great pics!

Will



"Dad gum it" Larry C. RIP
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156337
02/13/18 08:14 AM
02/13/18 08:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 8,231
Misery
Michael Morris Offline
"Hombre que mata demasiadas cosas"
Michael Morris  Offline
"Hombre que mata demasiadas cosas"

Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 8,231
Misery
That is awesome!


Push yourself to be more than you were
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156339
02/13/18 08:23 AM
02/13/18 08:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,230
S/W Wisconsin
rpmartin Offline
trapper
rpmartin  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,230
S/W Wisconsin
Looks and sounds like you had a great trip. Lucky that cat didn't get you any worse. Huge congrats


Life member,
NRA, NTA, RMEF, Pheasants Forever.
WTA,TTA,FTA,SA,GOA, member


Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156341
02/13/18 08:26 AM
02/13/18 08:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,057
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,057
Marion Kansas
That's cool. I would love to catch a l lion some day.

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156355
02/13/18 08:48 AM
02/13/18 08:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
M
marathonman Offline
trapper
marathonman  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
great pics! you were lucky on the cut..[close to the eye]

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156372
02/13/18 09:14 AM
02/13/18 09:14 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,306
Montana
USMC47 🦫 Offline
trapper
USMC47 🦫  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,306
Montana
Darn good writeup.


The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.

www.derricks-nm.com
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156385
02/13/18 09:29 AM
02/13/18 09:29 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,581
Muskrat Lake,Saskatchewan
S
saskbone Online content
trapper
saskbone  Online Content
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,581
Muskrat Lake,Saskatchewan
Great story and pictures. But I got to say that's one sweet mustache! You're lucky that cat didn't hook the inside of your nostril or mouth.

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: saskbone] #6156428
02/13/18 10:11 AM
02/13/18 10:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
T
Texaswats Offline OP
trapper
Texaswats  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
Originally Posted By: rpmartin
Looks and sounds like you had a great trip. Lucky that cat didn't get you any worse. Huge congrats

Yep, close call.
Originally Posted By: marathonman
great pics! you were lucky on the cut..[close to the eye]

He was instinctually trying to blind me I believe.
Originally Posted By: saskbone
Great story and pictures. But I got to say that's one sweet mustache! You're lucky that cat didn't hook the inside of your nostril or mouth.

Hahaha! Thanks! As for the stache...Its a Kingsville, Texas thing, got to have one if you want to be somebody lol! Got lucky for sure he didn't hook me, just a quick punch.


-Texaswats
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156435
02/13/18 10:16 AM
02/13/18 10:16 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,098
South Ga - Almost Florida
S
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,098
South Ga - Almost Florida
Well, at least your buddy didn't spill his beer to help you...lol

...and with a 5 foot catch pole...im wandering how that cat got a hold of you.

Last edited by Swamp Wolf; 02/13/18 10:21 AM.

Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Swamp Wolf] #6156564
02/13/18 01:07 PM
02/13/18 01:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
T
Texaswats Offline OP
trapper
Texaswats  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
Originally Posted By: Swamp Wolf
Well, at least your buddy didn't spill his beer to help you...lol

...and with a 5 foot catch pole...im wandering how that cat got a hold of you.


Would never dream of letting a little scratch topple an ice cold Lone Star Light. You can WANDER all you want swamp wolf, just try to get home before the rain wink

My buddy was running 8 foot extension cables girth hitched to trees, you can probably figure out how sporting our dispatches were lol! We will be using drags next year with about 5-6 foot of chain.


-Texaswats
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156626
02/13/18 02:15 PM
02/13/18 02:15 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,098
South Ga - Almost Florida
S
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,098
South Ga - Almost Florida
Well at least that scratch is not getting infected enough to confuse your spelling ablilities...lol.

Btw...did y'all see any illegal aliens trying to cross the border?

That Husky bag makes a great trapping bag..eh?

Last edited by Swamp Wolf; 02/13/18 02:44 PM.

Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156634
02/13/18 02:26 PM
02/13/18 02:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,862
Huntingdon Co. Pa.
F
forestman3 Offline
trapper
forestman3  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,862
Huntingdon Co. Pa.
Great pics.I thought you said you caught some fox,Oh wait,I did see a fox in a couple pics. cool

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Swamp Wolf] #6156679
02/13/18 03:36 PM
02/13/18 03:36 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
T
Texaswats Offline OP
trapper
Texaswats  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 160
Texas
Originally Posted By: forestman3
Great pics.I thought you said you caught some fox,Oh wait,I did see a fox in a couple pics. cool

Lol! Yep, you did. Kayla is a good one, wonderful cooking and no problems with dispatch either! Shannon is out of his league with that one, so he better lock her down quick! Lol!


We did catch some grey fox...





And one javelina



Originally Posted By: Swamp Wolf
Well at least that scratch is not getting infected enough to confuse your spelling ablilities...lol.

Btw...did y'all see any illegal aliens trying to cross the border?

That Husky bag makes a great trapping bag..eh?


I like the husky bag a lot. It's definitely working out as a great trapping bag. No illegal aliens trying to cross while we were there, that we could tell. They do find them out on the ranch about 3-4 times a year. The terrain is rough, but allows for lots of hiding spots.


-Texaswats
Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156776
02/13/18 05:48 PM
02/13/18 05:48 PM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,101
Northern Michigan
J
J.Morse Offline
trapper
J.Morse  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,101
Northern Michigan
Wow, I have a big ol' dose of Lion Envy! Two questions......did you save the meat on those lions, and what did the Grandad Bobcat weigh??


Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156806
02/13/18 06:17 PM
02/13/18 06:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 335
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
G
Guy Johnson Offline
trapper
Guy Johnson  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 335
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Great Adventure and pictorial! Thankyou guys so much for sharing this with us! Just what I needed !!

Re: West Texas Trapping...bobcats & lions (pic heavy) [Re: Texaswats] #6156813
02/13/18 06:28 PM
02/13/18 06:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 283
Houston county, GA
jeremygranado36 Offline
trapper
jeremygranado36  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 283
Houston county, GA
Wish I could make it!

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