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Help with Bobcats #7746871
12/18/22 01:54 PM
12/18/22 01:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
H
hipp2412 Offline OP
trapper
hipp2412  Offline OP
trapper
H

Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
This is my 1st year attempting to catch a cat. Iv caught plenty of coyotes and fox so im not a complete new guy to trapping. So I made three sets yesterday, 2 dirt holes and a walk through set. After about two hours after setting the one dirt hole I had a bobcat show up. He was all around the front of the set but he never got close enough to get pinched until he walked across the set. His back foot had to have touched the trap but not the pan. He walked off. In the wee hours of the night I had three cats show at one time at another set. They were all over the set but they stayed back far enough not to get pinched. Two questions for you cat trappers; how far back do you keep your trap from the hole? will these cats come back to check out these same sets or do I need to change up my flagging to peak their curiosity again?
Thanks for your input.

Last edited by hipp2412; 12/18/22 01:56 PM.
Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7746881
12/18/22 02:07 PM
12/18/22 02:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Rodney,Ohio
If you do more of an open cubby type set, 24 inches back seems to be the way to go. That way if the cat just wants to peek and go you have a good chance at him. If they commit, you've got multiple chances to get him as they enter and back out of the sets.

If you want another chance at the cats. Changing the look of the set will help.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747006
12/18/22 05:44 PM
12/18/22 05:44 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
North Central Idaho
Jumperzee Offline
trapper
Jumperzee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2010
North Central Idaho
Are you bedding and covering your sets? That may be why they aren't stepping on the pan if they aren't blocked in. Lots of good pics in the "cat sets and locations" thread and also "exposed cat sets".

They will do that though - investigate without committing (part of the joys of cat trapping). I'd leave it and build another set close by with different lure/bait, or fence them in and make a blind set or two near the original sets.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747016
12/18/22 05:57 PM
12/18/22 05:57 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
H
hipp2412 Offline OP
trapper
hipp2412  Offline OP
trapper
H

Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
I am bedding my traps in waxed dirt. I do have some blocking with rocks and sticks. I was shocked to see 3 cats at one time at a set.
Thank you for the advice. And they say " Oh they are easy to catch"..lol

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: Jumperzee] #7747109
12/18/22 08:02 PM
12/18/22 08:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2020
Oklahoma
We-Sa Offline
trapper
We-Sa  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2020
Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Jumperzee
Are you bedding and covering your sets? That may be why they aren't stepping on the pan if they aren't blocked in. Lots of good pics in the "cat sets and locations" thread and also "exposed cat sets".

They will do that though - investigate without committing (part of the joys of cat trapping). I'd leave it and build another set close by with different lure/bait, or fence them in and make a blind set or two near the original sets.


^^^this^^^

Lots of good info in the archives from guys with gobs of experience.

Definitely check out the thread mentioned, Exposed Cat Sets

You can really fence/block a cat in. Make it to where the only place to step is on the pan. Check out some of the YouTube videos of house cats and dominos.


“I don't know, Chief, if he's very smart or very dumb.”
Capt. Quint
Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747160
12/18/22 08:57 PM
12/18/22 08:57 PM
Joined: May 2018
SW Georgia
W
Wanna Be Offline
trapper
Wanna Be  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: May 2018
SW Georgia
That was an interesting observation. My cameras show them coming in from the backside of the dirt hole set.
Pipe Dream sets they walk right in. My pipe is generally hid in the brush almost to ground level. Lure is put up a little higher. Of course the set is blended in naturally.
If I suspect a cat I’ll put a set behind the dirt hole. And last year I putting the trap in the traditional spot for a dirt hole, instead I put it to one side or the other. Now when I say dirt hole I guess I’m referring to more of a trench type set or step down. These sets produce cats, fox, and coyotes.
If you really just want a cat, make it the gaudiest set you can dream up…or grab a 4-5 year old and turn them loose, lol.
Don’t overthink cats. If you can catch possums, you can catch a cat.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747177
12/18/22 09:12 PM
12/18/22 09:12 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
H
hipp2412 Offline OP
trapper
hipp2412  Offline OP
trapper
H

Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
So, about an hour ago i saw on my cameras the cat came in and stayed at about 18 inches back from the dirt hole and off to the right about a foot. The cat sat down and just watched the set. LOL..Im guessing that I have my dirt hole at too much of an angle and he is sitting back looking right down the hole. I will go in tomorrow and change some things. We have foul weather coming in on Thursday so it might get tricky keeping the traps working. Thanks for the info

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747183
12/18/22 09:21 PM
12/18/22 09:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Georgia
sportsman94 Offline
trapper
sportsman94  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Georgia
There is a book that talks about cats desire to kill their prey. I made up some pieces of fur with teddy bear eyes to replicate the live animal and have been using it in trash pile sets here and there. Haven’t had any action yet, but it’s a thought if you’re looking to throw the kitchen sink at them. Fake fur can be used if you can’t use real fur

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747190
12/18/22 09:30 PM
12/18/22 09:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Northern Nevada
B
Bob Offline
trapper
Bob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2007
Northern Nevada
Blind trail sets with LOTS of blocking is my go to for bobcat. Basically block every trail except the one with my trap, and then use sticks and rocks to make it so that the pan of the trap is literally the only clear place to step, and use a couple big sticks on either side as stepping sticks, they step over the stick on onto the pan and there’s no other spot that’s clear to step on. Way more effective than baited sets on my line


"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747436
12/19/22 07:36 AM
12/19/22 07:36 AM
M
Mark June
Unregistered
Mark June
Unregistered
M


My motto at my Predator Academy every year is the same;
Bobcat are simple to catch. They're not easy to catch.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747826
12/19/22 03:41 PM
12/19/22 03:41 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
H
hipp2412 Offline OP
trapper
hipp2412  Offline OP
trapper
H

Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
Well last night it happened, I pinched my first cat. Thanks for all the suggestions. We are only allowed 1 cat per year in PA so I have to wait until next year to see if I was the blind squirrel finding a nut once in a while or if im on to something. lol [Linked Image]

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747932
12/19/22 06:14 PM
12/19/22 06:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane Offline
"HOSS"
Leftlane  Offline
"HOSS"

Joined: Dec 2009
The Hill Country of Texas
Congratulations- that is a nice looking cat


What"s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.
Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers


Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747950
12/19/22 06:27 PM
12/19/22 06:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
North Central Idaho
Jumperzee Offline
trapper
Jumperzee  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2010
North Central Idaho
Nice job hipp!!!

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7747976
12/19/22 06:48 PM
12/19/22 06:48 PM
Joined: May 2018
SW Georgia
W
Wanna Be Offline
trapper
Wanna Be  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: May 2018
SW Georgia
Congrats!! Tell us what caught it.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7748093
12/19/22 08:19 PM
12/19/22 08:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
H
hipp2412 Offline OP
trapper
hipp2412  Offline OP
trapper
H

Joined: Nov 2017
Central PA
Dirt hole set with some Cat Man Do and Badlands Bob and fox urine. Sheeps wool in the hole and around the edge for eye appeal, I have read so much in the archives that i know I need to switch things up next year.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7748129
12/19/22 08:46 PM
12/19/22 08:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
OKLAHOMA
C
Cattrapper77 Offline
trapper
Cattrapper77  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Jan 2022
OKLAHOMA
Good job!! Only allowed one cat is a bummer for sure.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7749895
12/21/22 03:00 PM
12/21/22 03:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Kansas
T
trapperbill Offline
trapper
trapperbill  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Kansas
I typically put the trap back farther from the hole. But I block it all in and show the cat where to step. Yes the angle of the hole makes a difference but I just give the cat several smells and cover the hole with feathers .you will still get hind foot catches as cats are cats and back up into sets too but as long as you catch the cat who cares.

Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: We-Sa] #7750435
12/21/22 11:29 PM
12/21/22 11:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline
trapper
AJE  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2016
WI - Wisconsin
Originally Posted by We-Sa
Originally Posted by Jumperzee
Are you bedding and covering your sets? That may be why they aren't stepping on the pan if they aren't blocked in. Lots of good pics in the "cat sets and locations" thread and also "exposed cat sets".

They will do that though - investigate without committing (part of the joys of cat trapping). I'd leave it and build another set close by with different lure/bait, or fence them in and make a blind set or two near the original sets.


^^^this^^^

Lots of good info in the archives from guys with gobs of experience.

Definitely check out the thread mentioned, Exposed Cat Sets

You can really fence/block a cat in. Make it to where the only place to step is on the pan
Very good info, thanks.

When small sticks are placed around a trap for guiding, are you guys pushing the sticks vertically into the ground or just laying 'em on the ground?

Congrats hipp.

Last edited by AJE; 12/21/22 11:32 PM.
Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7751049
12/22/22 03:01 PM
12/22/22 03:01 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
West Cent IL
illinideer Offline
trapper
illinideer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2015
West Cent IL
Even though I have to release them Mark Zaggers pipe dream set catches 90% of my cats. I've had traps out for about 2 weeks now and caught #4 two days ago. 3 in pipedream 1 dirthole
J




Coyote 3
Coons 24
Bobcats 1 Released
Grinners All of them
USN AE2 VF-31 Tomcatters
Retired SMSGT IL ANG 183 Fighter Wing
Coyote U Class #4
Re: Help with Bobcats [Re: hipp2412] #7751700
12/23/22 03:39 AM
12/23/22 03:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2016
WI - Wisconsin
A
AJE Offline
trapper
AJE  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jan 2016
WI - Wisconsin
Good work illinideer

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