As I’ve started targeting bobcat this year for the first time I’m finding I have no idea how to trap bobcat lol. It’s pretty rocky in the hills here, and I am only able to find a track here and there, and no scat. I know nothing of the habits of bobcat. Do they like to travel on ridge lines, in washes, or in between? Would they rather be in dense cover or open ground? Will I catch them just by setting like I would for coyote or do I need to change things up? Lol it’s like the dang things are ghosts. I know they exist yet I can’t find hide nor hair of em. I haven’t had any trouble getting into the fox and coyote but these cats are baffling me.

Easy to catch if ya get a trap in front of them. Your in the land of walkthru an exposed sets. Find tracks block down the nearest funnel to just wide enough to make them step on your pan. Lots of info in the archives

Lots of info in the archives

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^

Are you around Reno or further north?

Favorite food sources are cottontails and packrats and of course quail and other gamebirds when they can get them.

They like to follow washes in rocky country.They also like to follow defined rock ledges,especially walking tight to the base.A break in the ledge may be a good location.Around any pack rat midden is usually good.They love to walk under overhanging ledges.If it is sandy under there,so much the better.They like sandy spots.Any outstanding feature in the landscape will often be visited.Think a large,lone conifer or isolated rock outcropping.I have seen where they would follow the top of a razorback finger ridge with good visibility down one or both sides.

They aren't like coyotes.They don't mind being crowded or going through tight places.I think they feel secure there.I have caught cats where there was very little scat but any sign is always a plus.They like cedars as do cottontails.Of course,in Nevada,water can be scarce so if there is any water source,it will be a big draw for all wildlife,including cats and their prey.You won't usually find many,traveling across wide open spaces,like coyotes but closer to cover for security.Good gray fox country is usually good for cats as well.

When I scout new country for cats,my first order of business is to look for evidence,old or new,of other trapper's cat sets.You may find old cubbies,blocked down trails along ledges,in draws,etc.There will usually be scraps of wire or flags,etc..I want to know if the places have been trapped hard in the past,especially after several years of high cat prices.The cats have to be there to catch them.You will figure it out and I believe you will get into some.Good luck.

I’m in winnemucca. Lots of good cat country around, at least I think it holds cats. Thank you for the info! It is helpful

That should be great cat country but I have no idea what the trapping pressure has been like there.

If you are not catching cats in coyotes sets, i would venture a guess your population is very low. Last 10 years of cat prices mixed with droughts in specific areas have taken a toll.

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So I’m sitting in my deer blind opening morning here in Missouri and this bobcat walks by my blind at five yards. Being originally from Ohio and trapping there most of my life I had never trapped bobcat. Well seeing this one got me fired up so I’m going to try and catch a couple. Not knowing much about bobcats I get on YouTube looking for info and run across a video about bobcat trapping by Clint locklear. Learned a lot and will put what he was teaching to use in next week

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