If you don’t swivel it, it will eventually break off if using fishing line or even braided line.

Here's one I use,turkey tail feather and not pictured one of the primary wing feather tail and primary you have contrast.You can dip or paint feather to your liking if your state allows feathers to be used the cd just add's flash with sun or moon light,hope this helps.

Here's a picture of a walk thru/rub type set.

Nice photos Rick. Why three stepping sticks? Looks like you leave two open step spots. Do you use two traps? Thanks for your help.

Sometime 2 traps,3 to 4 stepping sticks guide sticks to get them used to stepping into the hard blocking trap bed.

Thanks Rick. Makes sense.

Nice looking set, Rick. Sheep's wool wired to the tree? I'm glad I saw your pics. I've been running the logs you use for your walkthrough ninety degrees opposite of how you do yours. I'm definitely going to make some sets like that.

Yesterday I made this set, with the feature being a charred piece of firewood in the center. Dirt hole to left corner of opening. I'm trying to try everything. 28 sets out now. A logging road behind it and a swamp in front.


Jake trap.

Beer can for flagging (can't use exposed feathers in Wi).

I put a lil bit of straw in the dirt hole after taking this picture.

Hard to tell from the pic, but this was a lil natural dirt mound.

I’ll take a pic tomorrow and post it. Nothing special but it sure helps

Thanks!

I might try a straw set, although keeping the snow off it could be a challenge

I like your posted set AJE. I'm no expert but I wonder if you moved your trap out to the front just between the two pine limb butts if it would work better. Might catch the cat that doesn't enter all the way. Hope you get him.

I use a cd out front of my set as an attractor. 5 to 10 yards away. The back of my set will have something to attract the cat - bone or a stick with ribbon on it. I set two traps - one at the entrance and one outside of it. In my experience, cats are hesitant to enter but will get 18 to 24 inches away to inspect the funny object in the trap. I use urine and call lures too.

Responses in this thread seem pretty well divided between attracting cats to area and attracting foot to trap pan. My comments pertain to visuals at trap.

Block the set in well from all directions. Opening where trap is can be V-type (step in, back out), but I think walk through is better. Whether it's a dirt hole, scent post, rub set, flat set, it can be constructed as a walk through. If walk through, visual attractor(s) is/are in side(s) of passageway. If not walk through, attractor is behind trap where cat has to step on pan to reach attractor or sniff scent.

Best possible at-trap visual attractor for bobcats is birds or feathers. I am not saying use them because in many cases they are illegal. Most species of wild birds are protected by federal law. Many states have regulations regarding use of game birds/animals/fish or parts, as well as set-back distance from trap for visible bait (with "bait" being broadly defined to include such things as feathers, even if they are chicken feathers).

In Idaho where I live game bird/animal/fish can be used only if they are made into scent. The exception allowing animal parts as visuals is bleached bones. I have used faux fur and other non-animal items. At least technically, use of sheep wool here within 30' of trap or snare is illegal.

For visual attractors to area I once bought a quantity of salvaged computer hard disks off eBay. Those disks are very shinny and were cheap.

I wonder that too. I have no idea.

You're going to catch a cat in that set.

I'm honed in. But the clock is ticking, too. We'll see. I'm not giving up til 11 pm 1/31. What's interesting is the neighboring landowner is cat trapping too. Ha, what are the chances. I'm hoping he stirs things my direction. Never know.

Another trick I haven’t seen mentioned is a furby critter for lack of a better name. Should be legal for states that don’t allow animal parts. Fake fur cut into a two x eight inch strip make a miniature hanger like a wire coat hanger with the “hook” straightend out . Fold the strip furside out over the bottom of the hanger and glue. Now here’s the seal the deal “trick” get a bag of plastic teddy bear “eyes “ and glue them on the critter where they would be if the critter is real. Do this to both sides so there is a set of eyes showing either way. Hang above and behind your trap with swivel or interlocking loops of wire so the slightest breeze will make it move.
One of the cage trappers on here uses them. Hope this helps. Hope you catch a big ol clear belly Tom.

We can use faux products tho must be really careful if we do. It's legal, but in many cases not advisable. Today was the 2nd day in a row I scouted a property (in different parts of the county) & had an eagle fly high overhead. That's not common, but something we must be very cognizant of in Wi.

Lots of good info