I'm big into pastels. I once called in a turkey while wearing a pink Oxford. Dress for success.

I called them in with distressed rabbit but mix it up with some magpie and crows also. Like desertdog mentioned they like to hang back and watch so you need to watch for eyes.

Is That the legendary " Mink Bucket Blue "?!

And, yeah; If Bobcats get That big? No Way I'd want to be approaching one closer than twenty yards either! Wow!

With the waits we have for cat tags I would definetely be trying whatever you need to get it filled but if you’re not seeing sign at the locations you’re trapping at, I’d be moving my traps and also calling elsewhere. I would usually see 3-4 sets of tracks on fresh snow in the areas I had access minimum. If you do pursue calling the rest of the season, I would abandon the red light personally as I’ve never had luck with it despite a lot of calling with one years ago. I know some people do but it hasn’t worked for me. As far as cats go, or coyotes or bear or anything that I call for that matter where populations aren’t plentiful, what has worked the best is what was referenced earlier by finding fresh tracks and isolating where specifically they are and work the area strategically. Also I know people who have used cat sounds and don’t know of any that have actually called in cats, so I’d stick to bird or rabbit sounds personally as that’s what’s worked previously for me and anyone I know who’s called cats in.

I called Saturday nite as I mentioned. Interestingly, yesterday there was tracks on both in front of & behind where I was calling. Maybe it's coincidence, maybe they're moving more, or MAYBE I called it in only to have it hang up 100 yrd in front of or behind me. I plan to get more traps out today. I am leary about calling the area I'm trapping, but now I'm thinking it might help, not hurt my chances. This cat has been giving me fits since new years eve. I'm honing in, but the clock is ticking. 34 traps out right now. I probly should get out there & call each night this week. I was thinking that hammering in more sets each evening after work may spook the area, but now I'm thinking I better keep at, regardless of method. This has been exciting but frustrating at the same time. The cat(s) doesn't seem to use the same path twice. I have my sets flagged but haven't got it yet. Every track I've seen this month appears to be a single track, so I don't think there's kits running around. Thanks for the replies so far.

Good Luck AJE!

Dave

Did you try putting out a bait station at all?

I have been calling 'cats since they opened up our county about 35 years ago. I haven't, however, been out in several years. I have only called in a seen 5 'cats, 3 of which I shot. They are totally different acting than fox or coyotes. I've had canines literally gallop up to my calling, 'cats on the other hand just materialize and suddenly appear where you'd swear it is impossible to get without being seen before they get there! They move like a hunting Great Blue Heron, making super slow moves, and are apparently super paranoid they are going to get bit by what's hurting the rabbit they hear squawking. I have had them appear within literally 10 seconds of starting the call sequence(true story!), and other times take a half hour+ to arrive. I am absolutely positive I called others I didn't see before they spotted me and left. I agree with Monster Toms load recommendations. Good luck!

It’s something I just started this year but I call like crazy where I’m trapping. Cats are not weary animals like coyotes and they are easy to call in if your patient, the key is having a cat to call to. A beaver carcass can help with getting one in the vicinity to call over. I’ve called them into my pickup while standing outside of it talking on the phone. Three times this year I’ve pulled into some traps, checked and not had anything, let my call blast from the pickup for 30-60 minutes while I went off to throw in some more sets and came back to have a cat caught not 50 yards from the pickup.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I think I'll keep at it both calling AND trapping. After all, I know there's 1 in the area.

Yes, I do have 1 bait station out. A beaver carcass. I saw tracks in that area 3 weeks ago, so I put out the carcass, but thus far nothing has touched it. My F&T order, which will probly arrive today, has 1 of those electric lures in it (battery powered). I plan on puttin it by the carcass.

As for the red light, I was thinking of using it in a more unconvential matter...not for scope hunting, but to use after dark if I can get it within buckshot range.

Wire a beaver carcass up on a tree in the area you think cats are in. Once they find it they will lay up around that area and feed till it's gone. They will feed all hours of the day and night too.

At least two cats came to this carcass day and night, plus a coyote and deer sniffing around. The bottom pic shows how I place the carcass.

Ahh, interesting. I do have 1 beaver left (froze) in the freezer. I've been debating if/how to use it, & whether it would hinder the traps I have on the property. It might be the hot ticket. I could hit it with an ax a few times to break through the fur & open it up. Maybe I could place it so it helps my hunting AND trapping chances. After all, I now know there is a cat in the area. Hmmm...

Great pictures!!!

Better yet, run buy a spy point micro and put your carcass in front of it, then you’ll get the pic sent right to your phone when the cat arrives...

Yeah, I want a camera like that at some point. We'll see what I can afford.

They come on sale for $129. There not the top of the line but they work just fine for what I need.

Isn't there a monthly fee though?

You can have it send 100 pictures a month for free. Then it’s $5 a month for 250, or $10 for a 1000. If you pay for the whole year at one time it cuts the prices in half

Been doing some calling as of late. I had to work this morning. Brother went and called. 12 minutes and the cat came walking in. Fixed on the decoy. Bang, flop, and sealed. Some people have all the luck.