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.

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.

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.

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

^^^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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Nice job hipp!!!

Congrats!! Tell us what caught it.

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.

Good job!! Only allowed one cat is a bummer for sure.

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.

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.

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

Good work illinideer