Kind of curious what kind of snares and what size everyone runs for bobcats. Are you making ur own or having them custom made from someone. I normally use the dakota line snares. But thinking about trying a different route.

Yes, I enjoy making snares. If you want to make snares? I would suggest purchasing a good bench swager tool.

A good bobcat snare will free fall Smoothly into a small diameter loop!!!!

I prefer 1/16 7x7 cable slightly loaded. Loop is kind of egg shaped when set. I use cam locks with teeth, torq spring, and whatever else the law requires?

A good snare support is Very important also!!!!!

I like snares.

I use 5\64 1x19 cable with Thompson locks. I use the heavier cable just because the chance of a coyote getting caught and think they would walk through 1\16 cable. But I don't know that because I have never used it.

From my limited experience, McCary nailed it. The only thing I add is a homemade break away to avoid deer/elk/burros/horses. If you have Bill Ilchik's Wild West Bobcat Trapping book, he shows what I think is the perfect cat snaring set up. Oh, and his two rock set up almost guarantees no misses.

Thanks for the information.

My bobcat snares are 1/16 1x19 cable, loaded, with a camlock. Very fast and deadly on cats. Be sure to check your state's game laws to make sure you are compliant.

5/64 cable with an Amberg lock. Keep on cats keep your loop smaller than you think you need. Place a stick in the trail for a chin lift. The number of times I have had a cat slink through a snare loop is frustrating, with snow cover showing the whole story.

If I knew I wasn't going to catch a coyote in the snare then I'd use some lighter cable like these guys are suggesting too. Here's a couple videos I've made years ago to help you should you choose to build your own snares.

Minnesota requires breakaways or type of end ferrule that comes off—I can’t remember what it’s called. Amberg release ferrules, maybe?

Go buy some snares designed for ‘cats and look at the construction. That’s the best way I’ve found to pattern my own. But generally speaking, I use either 1x19 5/64 or 7x7 5/64, with 285# breakaways for everything.

Read Bill Ilchik's book, Wild West Bobcat Trapping. Bill teaches you how to make and set your own cat snares, including a homemade breakaway that works well. He also has some guiding methods I've never seen anywhere else.

Great tutorial, ADC. Thanks!

Jeromy cooley - out west adventurers


Fur Addicts


Both have good YouTube videos.

Glad to help where I can.

Good tutorial Jayme, a good teaching video for those not familiar with snare construction.

Thanks Bob. The techniques is what I was hoping to show. There are so many variables in snare building as far as cable sizes, their lays and lengths as well as locks, support collars, swivels, break away devices, kill springs,,,, etc... but the techniques are pretty universal.

Good luck finding that book suggested above

Email Bill at wildwestbobcats@gmail.com and tell him you want a copy.

You can catch a bobcat or coyote in literally any snare you like , it comes down to which you have the most faith in . I've had great success with 1/16" 1x 19 or 7x7 snares and then the same thing with 5/64 " 7x7 with either Wedge lock or death blow snares .

The big difference is I don't have to load them to make a catch other than to put them in the pickup .

You can call and ask Keith Gregerson about loading snares and he will say basically the same thing and he's caught a lot of fur over the years .

I have Bill's book and yours too. Both are extremely well written and have tons of photos as well as being a top-notch resource for information.

If you ever get a chance to attend John Graham's Coyote Days and either Bill or Tracey are doing demos, you are in for some very valuable bobcat lessons.

Both Keith and I do not believe in loading a snare other than putting them in the box of the pickup .

As for his bobcat numbers in South Eastern Mt it was 245 bobcats in one season then 235 the following season , this was long before the bobcat season we have to deal with today here in Montana .
One can only wonder how many bobcats he would have harvested the third year because he was transfer to Roundup where he still lives to this day .

When I've got the time I normally will stop in for a visit , as for those bobcat numbers I maybe off by a few to high or low but you got the idea .

My catch numbers were never close to Keith's but I did catch 7 tom bobcats that weighted over 46 pounds over the years with a 5/64" ths 7x7 snare more normally with a wedge lock .
This was when it was a race to catch any bobcats before the quota was closed or about to close which was happening in less than 29 days which was something that Keith didn't have to deal with .