I am currently looking at moving my cage traps in to desert county with plenty of small canyons and drainages. Many of the canyons are dry washes with rocky sides and sandy bottoms approximately 30 to 120 feet deep. The edges of the canyons are steep but not so steep you can't side hill them.

My question is trap placement on this kind of set. Is it beneficial to set in the bottom edges of the wash or on the hill side just above the wash bottom or on the tops of the canyon rim?

What are you suggestions for trap placement?

Where you see tracks and scat.





Charlie

My issue is the ground on the sides is hard and hard to locate tracks and in the sand the critters don't leave a defined impression.

I would start by setting against that ledge,probably at the protruding point of the ledge,possibly also at the end,as well.It may change a little after you get boots on the ground.Good luck.

None of my business but where is there an open bobcat season in the west?
Why would you want to take a bobcat this early? Their might not be worth much this year and taking one before December anywhere is gonna be half value.

So far as location the previous post nails it in my opinion.
Anywhere in the shadow of the ledge just up out of the flow in case you get a gully washer.
Set the cage so it's shaded for your catch. Be sure to point the cage trap downhill to take advantage of the thermals which occur as the sun sets and last until the next mid morning which corresponds with majority of bobcat activity. You want the odors to flow from the back of the cage trap out the front and hit the cat in the face. They work the wind similar to a coyote and you don't want them exploring the sides of the cage because the wind is wrong. You want them to react to it at the front of the cage and cause them to want to explore the inside of the cage trap for the source.

Add a flag outside in hopes of pulling any cat that might be across the wash or on top edge.
The lure will flow down and across the corner of the wash at the ledge so you could hide the trap if too public of a place.

The wash is the easy place to walk for all critters so they will use that and explore all those sexy rocks and bushes for snacks.

If your lucky you can set it to view the door up or down from the road or close by.

ML

Mercer you are right, Bobcat is still closed until December.

I'm just getting a game plan and set locations for now. I will locate a few areas and then drive to them. If I
want to a set in that location I will import brush and
move rocks if needed. When it comes time to set a trap it doesn't take as long.

This location will not be utilized until later in the winter. I will set my traps in higher elevations until the snow becomes a problem and then move them down to the canyons.

As always thanks for your input and time. I'm always open to hearing others thoughts.

Understood. It's just that your first sentence was " I am currently looking at moving my traps"

ML

I can see where that would be misleading.

Our experience is always welcome, I would like to pick your brain about trapping the desert county.