I'll try to keep this one short, but daggum it feels good to FINALLY CONNECT! As stated in previous posts, first year trapper with zero trapping experience here and to finally have all of the studying, reading, and hard work come together is a feeling that I'll never forget. Super humbling. What motivated me to begin trapping was watching a big tom bobcat walk behind my blind while deer hunting this year and then coming up with a plan and putting it in place. I've had numerous misses in my first year (prints everywhere but on my pan), trail cam pics and videos of cats walking by sets without committing (frustrating to say the least), and coons and possums plugging my sets and stealing my baits (patience testing). It's been a wild first year but this first cat was worth every second of it. Now, the details on what worked for me.

So like I mentioned, I've had many opportunities but for whatever reason the cat would investigate my sets but at a distance. Typically 3-5ft range with no commitment. This last week though, something changed. I noticed at this specific set where I would harvest this cat there was unusually activity. Cat prints in my set but not on my pan. The bush/shrub that the turkey feathers were hanging from over my set were smash down and looked like they were played with. My bait, lure, and feathers were all out of my dirt hole and cat prints all around. So I knew I was on location, just not connecting. I was getting frustrated and decided I'd read through the archives and come up with a plan. My plan was to set two traps at this set, rebait, and funnel pretty hard. That was on Friday. Saturday we checked the trap line and nothing. Traps still set, bait still there, and no activity. Yesterday morning (Sunday) we went to check the trap line and as we started to come up over the ridge, boom, a flash of something trying to escape. Heart racing with excitement as we top the ridge and there it is, a bobcat. I couldn't believe it. The best part of this story is sharing this experience with my 15 year old son and his excitement for seeing a cat in our trap. It was priceless and worth it's weight in gold. The two trap idea worked and I am thankful I decided to run with it even though I was uneasy about it.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on and writing a novel, but I felt led to share and wanted to thank you all once again for the wisdom this page provides. It helped me put together a plan to harvest my first cat in my first season trapping. I couldn't be anymore ecstatic than I am. God bless and have a blessed week all!

Nice cat.

Great story and congrats on your first catch And to have your son with you is even better WARNING: trapping can be addicting I have been trapping for more than 50 years And I STILL LEARN SOMETHING NEW ON THIS WEBSITE ON A REGULAR BASIS Good luck.

Congrats!!!!
Reminds me of the "A-Team" "I Love It When A Plan Comes Together"

Congratulations!


Mac

I think most new trapper's first catch is a muskrat, possum, weasel, etc. But, a cat is impressive. Congratulations!

Good for you, I'm glad you connected on your bobcat.

Thank you. I can see where trapping can be addicting.

No apologies necessary. Very happy to hear you connected and had the pleasure to share it with your son too! Now, get back out there and try for #2!

This time of year that location should be good for another cat.

Thank you. At the start of trapping season we were catching coons and possums at a crazy rate. Some days we'd have 2 coons or 2 possums on our lines. Getting those critters out of the equation really has helped keep the trap line free and unclogged for the most part, but it sure is nice to see something in your trap that isn't Ricky the Raccoon or Possum Pete.

Going back out today and setting another flashy set in that exact location.

Congrats

Awesome job and way to keep at it. Nice cat

Add snares to your inventory if legal. Helps with the picky critters.

(I’ll try to keep this one short) Dang! I hate to see a long one! Anyway! Great looking cat!! Congratulations!!

Well done! My first was a fox, and was caught on my first night. I had wanted to learn trapping since I was a kid, but never had anyone to teach me till I was 43. Getting that first one is such a reward!

Congrats beardedman-the pic says it all.

Congrats I hope it’s the first of many

Congratulations way to stick it out. The knowledge you gain while trying is with you the rest of your life