I missed a cat, now what?
#6666475
11/15/19 11:21 AM
11/15/19 11:21 AM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 81 SW Wisconsin
Motley Row
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 81
SW Wisconsin
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Hey guys, missed my first attempt at a bobcat last night, first night it was set. I had a classic Clint Locklear dirthole set, with two mb550’s set inline at the front of the shoot. The first trap (outside one) was sprung, and sticks thrown all over, with cat tracks all over it, I’m bummed out, but I have over a month yet to get one.
My question is, do I abandon that set, and move the set 50 feet or so, and this time maybe try a cubby set, just to change it up from a dirthole set? This location was at my buddies farm, and the cat was crossing this field road and going into a thicket, almost every night. Not sure if my chance is blown with this cat or not. Do they have a short memory? I hope so!😁.
I’ll try to attach a pic of the blown set this morning.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6666479
11/15/19 11:30 AM
11/15/19 11:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691 Saltlake city utah
Steelflight
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691
Saltlake city utah
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Reset!!!!! He or another will be back. But that's all I know
You may think before you act. The question is did you listen to your own council?
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Steelflight]
#6666514
11/15/19 12:23 PM
11/15/19 12:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 81 SW Wisconsin
Motley Row
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 81
SW Wisconsin
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Reset!!!!! He or another will be back. But that's all I know Will the same Cat really come back and stick his paw in the cookie jar again, after getting slapped the last time? The reason I think it’s the same cat is, my buddy was telling me that those tracks where I set up on, go to a culvert about 50 yards away. So I think its the same cat crossing this road every night.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6666554
11/15/19 01:31 PM
11/15/19 01:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691 Saltlake city utah
Steelflight
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 691
Saltlake city utah
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You can check the archives for clearer info on bobcat habits
You may think before you act. The question is did you listen to your own council?
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6679976
11/30/19 08:08 PM
11/30/19 08:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,054 SE Kansas
K52
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,054
SE Kansas
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Reset!!!!! He or another will be back. But that's all I know Will the same Cat really come back and stick his paw in the cookie jar again, after getting slapped the last time? The reason I think it’s the same cat is, my buddy was telling me that those tracks where I set up on, go to a culvert about 50 yards away. So I think its the same cat crossing this road every night. Mel Hershberger tells of catching and releasing the same female cat several times because the Toms would come to visit and he would keep them. Made him way more than just keeping that one female.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Wanna Be]
#6684525
12/05/19 10:29 PM
12/05/19 10:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337
The Hill Country of Texas
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Resetting and gang setting are great but I would urge you to consider pan tension. I have a lot more misses when I dont run thr pan up to 4 or 5 pounds and tune out all the slop (550 probably has very little but still check it). Missing a good cat irritates the crap out of this trapper
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6684669
12/05/19 11:56 PM
12/05/19 11:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081 montana
red mt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,081
montana
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I agree with left lane pan tension Is a great tool.
Kenneth schoening
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6684774
12/06/19 06:24 AM
12/06/19 06:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,871 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,871
williamsburg ks
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if you missed that cat it is because your trap was too slow. id figure out that problem first. unless your a big pan guy. then the cat may have been standing on a jaw when it fired.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6684838
12/06/19 08:40 AM
12/06/19 08:40 AM
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Mark June
Unregistered
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Mark June
Unregistered
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You'll get that cat Motley if you're still there when they come back through. PM sent. You might have to switch a few things up first. Best of luck.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6723020
01/10/20 12:43 AM
01/10/20 12:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,081 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,081
WI - Wisconsin
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Hopefully you got it, Motley.
Last edited by AJE; 01/10/20 12:45 AM.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Montana jake]
#6730768
01/16/20 03:04 AM
01/16/20 03:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,081 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,081
WI - Wisconsin
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Put a snare on every trail around there if you can use snares. Make walk through sets. Bobcats don’t like to back out You mentioned they don't like to back out. I've heard that before, but have also heard caging them isn't unheard of. Maybe if they can see thru the end of a cubby or cage, then they are more likely to enter
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Motley Row]
#6730939
01/16/20 09:40 AM
01/16/20 09:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459 Montana
Taximan
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,459
Montana
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Of course,open ended cubbies are a whole different ball game and keep in mind,a bobcat can see out the back of most cages.Also keep in mind that the majority of cage trap use is due to the trapper having no other legal option,then they learn to adapt and figure every angle to make them work.That isn't a shining endorsement for me to want to use them for a go to bobcat trap or set.
It isn't that a bobcat will never back up but you need to put all odds in your favor-every time.This is more than true if you have bobcats that are spread out,have lots of random movement,country that has very few prominent geographical features and you are working with a very short season every 6-8 years.If you try to make any animal do anything he is not already inclined to do,you are handicapping yourself.
That why you hear the common theme among experienced bobcat trappers of "walkthroughs".Bobcats like to walk through or around.Why not let them?make vey simple,efficient walk through sets,keep the snow off them and be patient.When I say be patient,I don't mean rest on your laurels.If you aren't catching,keep setting in different locations.Don't pull sets if you can help it,just keep adding sets and keep them all functioning.
Some country like yours may not have prominent features but they are still there,just much harder to find.We had a discussion about random,hunting movement vs consistent travel.Hopefully when someone tells you if you find a bobcat track,it will be back,you will understand that it doesn't always work that way.You have to determine if there is a feature,food supply or some other reason for it to return.It is tough in basically level terrain with few features.
I will add,most of my cats have been caught without bait or urine,mostly just lure,urine,droppings.Some were taken in blind sets,either snare or foot traps.The ones in bli nd sets were taken in land with very good,prominent features,mostly ledges.I have been fortunate enough to trap cats in 3 different States,all with different terrain,one,in the East.It is true,a bobcat is a bobcat,wherever it is but what changes how they move is terrain a climate.
What type of trap,type of lure or bait,type of set,etc,pales in importance to actual set location within the cat's home range.I'm still pulling for you.Keep after it and good luck.
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Re: I missed a cat, now what?
[Re: Taximan]
#6731112
01/16/20 12:43 PM
01/16/20 12:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 11,254 Maine, Aroostook
Posco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 11,254
Maine, Aroostook
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I'm still pulling for you.Keep after it and good luck. How can you help but not be? Don't give up.
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