Just about everything you read or hear always says to set your trap anywhere from at the hole to 9” back and offset to the right. I’ve always assumed for a right paw catch. Well, yesterday after finding a perfect spot to drive my pipe in, I realized the perfect spot for the trap was to the left. I figured I’d just jot that down in my notes and see what happened. Didn’t have to wait long, this morning a bobcat was waiting for me...caught by his left paw. I didn’t do any guiding other than what was already there naturally. Don’t know why I’m even thinking about it other than the fact EVERY other set I’ve always done has been offset to the right. Guess it really doesn’t matter...

Sure doesn't matter. I end up all over the board. Still catch them on the front feet the majority of the time. I think people put entirely too much thought into it. I find myself center crowding the hole more often than not but it doesn't always work with the set. Sometimes I look down and I'm 12 inches out and I still don't know what happened.

I agree with Wade!

I don't know what the average setback is for bobcat. 9" seems to be average for coyote. Bobcats feet can be guided more. A bobcat will probably make less steps as it works a set I would think.

Cats don't like to back up so forget the hole and buried traps and set in a natural walk through. Just narrow it up so the only place they can step is on your trap.

You are correct.They don't make a lot of steps before they leave.NVHermit is right.Set back can be similar to fox or coyote but if a cat trap is well blocked in,as it should be,setback has way less importance than for.canines.That is why so many lions get in bobcat sets,despite the difference in their sizes and strides.

These are all coyote sets...stupid cats keep getting in them.
We don’t have “natural” trails down here for predators. We have hundreds of “natural” deer trails that I don’t have enough traps or time for remakes after the deer trip them. I watched a deer set off the remake of one where I caught the bobcat last night. The manager even text and and laughed about it. Sure enough, it was tripped this morning.
Someone recently posted about bobcats becoming the new possum and they were spot on. I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally set for a cat, it just happens.

I use a lot of walk through sets for coyotes and cats. They both come through. I Ike my sets to be about 9 in back and off set about 4 inches to either sides from dirt holes. That is the distance between my thumb and little finger and the width of my knuckles....it works in most of the set areas I have. There are exceptions where you need to crowd the hole etc. So don't get overly concerned with spacing. I use what works for me as do most trappers, so your gonna get differing replies.

I've measured a lot of tracks in snow at puled sets after season, most are 6 inches and less from the attraction for both fox and coyotes. I have a lot less misses with closer trap placement. Truth is you can't get it too close but you can get it too far.. At least that's what the coyotes have shown me!

Most of mine end up being a lot closer than 9”. But they’ve most always been offset to the right. This was way more left than I intended based on where “I thought” a critter would approach. Just an observation on my part. I’m still learning every single day.

Exactly the same with me! IMO judging on how the feet are in the trap when I get there, most of the time that animal does not get caught just walking straight in on a dirthole. Its circling, walking all over the set doing what coyotes do, trying to look down the hole at different angles.

Clints Teachers of the Night videos confirm all of that....