I finally drew a wi. bobcat early season tag and i do most of my trapping in Indiana and i dont have any experience with bobcats. I was wondering if a normal dirt hole set is my best option and if the bait i use for coyotes and fox would work. any help would be appreciated.

More important than the type of set is finding cats and fresh sign. The best most well-made cat set in the world won't pull in cats where they aren't already living. Guys get incidental cats every year in coyote and fox sets.

Always seem to get a few in a flashy step down.

The more eye appeal to a cat set you can add the better

thanks for the good info

Don't rule out using a cage trap. After 12/1, consider cable restraints too (if you haven't gotten 1 in a dirt hole set by then).

My two cents is if you are not setting in evergreens you are in the wrong place. I filled 2 cat tags in WI after learning to set cedar swamp drainages. Trying for years to catch them like fox did not work for me.

I also drew a Bobcat tag for southern zone early season. Unfortunately, the land where I got them on trail cam every year has been sold and I no longer have access to it. It was full of hazel brush, and they seemed to like the security and stealth it provided. Now I'm back to square one and my confidence in trapping one has been drastically lowered. The public land around here either doesn't have the terrain they like or gets way too much human traffic in places I would want to set (pine plantation roads). I would rather trap one, but may end up spending some time trying to call one into .17hmr range.


Good luck!

Where are you planning on trapping?
I've caught a few cats and there wasn't a pine tree with in 100 miles. LOL

We own some property a little south of ladysmith Wi and I have seen bobcats in years past but havent seen any sign lately. hopefully I can fill the tag,Im sure going to give it my best shot

Bobcats usually leave very little sign. Cat toilets are often at some place that offers both shelter and loose dirt or other material they can scratch up to cover scat. Where a cat toilet is under a tree I more often find it on the down prevailing wind side of the tree. I think, but am not certain, that female cats use toilets more than toms. Regardless, toms will visit toilets. Toms are prone to leaving uncovered scat at high places along trails. Looking for cat tracks in fresh snow is probably the most productive search method. Old toms travel for miles, especially in mating season.

Try and find some bear baits. Cats may not be attracted to what Is used as bear bait but mice shrews and squirrels are. And that's what will attract the cats.

I see most bobcat sign (footprints in snow) along creeks.

Beaver dams are great locations for cats. But with our stupid laws you won't be able to set on them. But just set the approaches to the dam.

X2,on beaver dams and drainages. Rocky outcrops are also cool to investigate

I live in ladysmith and will help if I can.

I have taken several Cats on scent posts that I place with a post hole digger on trail crossings or field edges, I apply gland lure and they rub and scratch the post. Most recently, we noticed a lot of cat tracks in front of our Fisher cubby sets in the snow, they never entered the cubby or 220, they seem to be attracted to the skunky essence and tainted beaver meat, the last cat I caught was in a #3 Bridger set 18” in front of the cubby. Be careful with Flagging in Wisconsin, no feathers or sight exposed bait is allowed within 25 ft of the trap. I would also make sure you have Warden contact information for Carcass Collection and issuing of CITES tag- you don’t want to drive back from IN if they’re not available.
I will also be trapping in Ladysmith and happy to help out.

Thanks again for all the info

If you are allowed down there,and If bobcats are anything like lynx,place a beaver carcass in heavy cover in cat habitat.One will find it and it will cover what it cant consume.Once he finds a place to return to for food,you can make a walk thru open top cubby with a beaver inside and set both ends with a #3 size foothold,or snares unless restricted.

Big Dog 1
I’m not sure how well equipped you’ll be when you arrive but your welcome to use my fur shed if you need it- just send me a PM. Good Luck!