What is the suggested distance between sids to side blocking objects when making a walk-thru set for bobcats? I know they will go thru some very tight places in heavy cover but what will they pass thru regularly when just blocking mostly their footing path? Especially past a "rub" object w/lure.

Just outside the trap jaws.

That's narrower than I wouldve expected for a walk thru set.

What blocking 'objects' are best to use on each side of a bobcat pass thru set?

anything thats natural. rock, cactus, small limb with branches stuck or laid on the ground. dont use a log. like a coon they will walk on top of it. i have snared them by putting snares on top a log lying on the ground in timber. no trail, no attracter. just that log lying on the ground. they will hop up on a big rock with a smooth top also.

They can go anywhere a cottontail can go . . . at least it seems like it.

I like to give them enough room to feel comfortable, but I'm a big believer that specific lure placements is just as important as blocking and stepping guides. With the lure placed properly (and assuming the lure is attractive), the cat has to stand on the pan to put its nose on the lure. Just my opinion.

Johnny Thorpe is rollin' over in his grave !

Just like this.

I am a two trap walkthrough fella myself. I like a fairly narrow walkthrough that is just wide enough to fit a number three long spring in. I try to keep my pan spacing at 15 to 16 inches. The reason for the spacing is is that it matches a max stride or an average bobcat but lions can step across both traps.
I like to use subtle blocking in front of the traps and pretty aggressive blocking between the traps. If they miss the first pan odds are very good they will step over and onto the second pan.
Most of my walk throughs are built with one side against a rock ledge or a large tree. It saves time in set construction. and leaves a nice vertical edge on one side of the set for a rub lure.
The side I construct is usually rocks covered with small dead branches to keep the cats from wanting to climb up on the side of the set to get to the lure.
I like to use a couple different lures down low opposite each other about a quarter of the way into each set to keep them in the set and working. I like a good call lure above the set to and an attractor directly above the middle of the set about 3 feet off the ground. I know it sounds like a lot but when I have a cat that is worth 400 to 700 dollars come to a set I want to keep him there until he is caught.
Not saying It is the best or the only way to make a walk through set but it has worked well for me for years. No matter what you do if you trap long enough some of the best sets will turn into walk by set on occasion.

This is good info. It's helping me prepare for my 12/26 bobcat season. It's tough to draw a tag here.

I think I'll get out this weekend & try to make some pass-throughs in preparation for the opener on the 26th. First I need to decide what kind to create

May I suggest taking a snowblower with you?

This deep snow will make things interesting I think, and might affect how I decide to make my sets

Same here and our season opens Saturday.

Not sure what kind of timber your in there, but around here the biggest cat faced trees are like sign posts for cats. I do a modified walk thru type set under those. Doesn't take much to block them in as long as you give them a good place to step.

Well done Jumper. Great set for your environment. I cannot see it but you probably have a little visual attraction in the crevice of that tree? Also a good stout wooden drag.

What a surprise to see this thread from the past reappear! Forgot I even made it. Since making it I have been refining the walk thru to a walk "along" set because our cat season has been moved to later season when deep snow is often a constant issue now. With the cats increasing in relation to wild turkeys here they are taking advantage of most every large wind fall tree off the ground to get elevated views while hunting(until snow gets deep on them, around 5-6"). If I sweep the snow off they really key on them again. So I find or clear off walk along windfalls 12" or more dia. at least 2-3" off the ground(at brush to open as possible) and somewhere along the tree secure a 3-5" upright tall enough the I can hang attractors, cover bait and rub and call lure for cat to pass bye. Uncovered white colored traps work just as well off the ground. I have formed trap beds on 10x12 plywood that I can screw to windfall wherever I need to position trap solid with a step stick on each side and secure trap to clog so it can move away some. Too bad this set is as attractive to squirrels(pretty hard to set the pan hard enough to keep a chunky grey landing right on the pan from setting it off).

I am setting traps and snares tomorrow in 12 inches of snow. Deep snow sure changes the landscape scenario. I been preparing my snare sets by using a narrow shovel to create a trail leading to the snares and beyond.