Anybody else seen this - or am I way behind the times??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5QZG0UCK8k

that looks like a real good way....to get bit and clawed.

I have two big scars on my calf from a coyote to remind me never to step into a catch circle until the catch pole is cinched up and the animal is under control. They can get to you faster than you can get out of the way.

To each their own. I find a tote much easier. The most difficult critter I’ve released was a fisher in a cable restraint.

I kind of like the tote idea- I wonder if you could use a hybrid approach and utilize the catch pole to get the cat into the tote and then relax the catch pole for the cat’s safety. What could possibly go wrong?

lots

interesting.i've found them to be docile but don't use cr's.

I always have a tote with me. Ive used it with good success. Ive also used the plywood method.

Maybe someone can post a video of a bobcat release with a catch pole? Most guys don’t “tote” a tote around with them on the line.

F&t TV series has several bobcat releases with a catch pole.
They can grab with all four feet and I know they choke down fast so you have to be careful but definitely doable.
Jim

If you choke em down until they just start to roll their eyes and quickly pull off the trap they will recover in a bit. They can choke down real easy. Ive had to release a few when out of season but for the most part all mine get released with a death ray lol.

I did have a guy tell me if you choke a cat down too much you can grab him and slam him onto the ground broadside, hard enough they bounce and when they hit the ground it revives them, Ive never had to revive one. SO thats just a trappers tale there.

Why don't you try that slamming thing and then get back to us...?? LOL!

If i ever choke one down too much he doesnt immediately begin to recover, i surely would try it. Ive not had a need to do that yet. But like i said, that was just what i was told by a guy that was told by another guy. Im not advocating anyone grab a loose bobcat they think is playing possum. Not without a first aid kit and probably a tourniquet handy haha.

I'm not about to be hauling around a chunk of plywood or a tote to release a cat. I always carry a length of good rope In my pocket. Make a loop toss It over the animals head. Sometimes It takes a bit of doing.
Tighten It up and stretch out the animal and tie It off.
I do this with domestic dogs. Then once the trap Is off I just walk away. 99% of the time when I come back the next day the dog has either slipped the noose or chewed off the rope.

I haven't caught but a few cars and the first I released with a crotched stick and the rest I use a catch pole and I always get a front leg in the loop as to not choke them. We doont have a season on them yet so we have to release every one we catch.

I've been using that method for a long time,though I don't release a lot of cats these days.It works extremely well and is the only method I've used that calms the cat down and also covers all the other feet,and teeth.

The guy in the video was a little hesitant,putting the tote on.It's no good to just throw it on.You need to hold it down immediately.It doesn't take a lot of weight.I just put my knee on it.From that position,I can see all way around the rim of the container.I would also highly recommend not cutting a notch.There is no need for it and you could see that lead to a lot of fidgeting to rearrange the tote and the notch left room for the cat to get another front foot out and that could be bad.

The ones that I've done calmed down like you gave them a tranquilizer.Another thing worth mentioning,is that the cat's eyes adjust quickly to the dark and when you flip the tote off,they are dazed at first,I think from the sudden blast of sunlight in there eyes.That's also a plus.

Regarding having a tote,I carry a lot of gear in them so all I need to do is empty one and go.Personally,if I lived where I had to release a lot of cats,I'd figure a way to have one on hand.I can see exceptions like a trapper on foot but even a 4 wheeler could be organized to carry one.

^^this....lol, many of us been doing it for yrs and its discussed nearly yearly here.

I prefer a catch pole, getting a front leg thru the loop like Terrance also, NOT choking them out at all.