Bobcat feet and trap size

So just how big is a bobcats foot? I read about them having big feet and you need a big trap for the foot to fit in. But the feet don’t look that big to me. I’m sure a cat can splay his foot out, but they don’t walk that way do they? When they walk around I would assume the foot is compact just as a track shows. Any thoughts?

I've caught cats pushing 30lb's in MB550 without any problem. I've even caught big ones in the old 1.5 cs dukes. So I'd say any size 1.5 or bigger you would be just fine.

not a big cat at all. #3 bridger trap. I like a little extra room for a mishap.

Biggest cat I ever caught was in a 1.5 duke. I use Jake traps primarily but have caught a load in #2 bridgers. I think it’s all about guiding them to the pan. I could be wrong

I have caught enough cats in mb450s a 1 1/2 size trap to feel comfortable using them for cats, but with that said a larger trap is more forgiving. All I have trapped is KS cats so geography may make a difference I can only speak for my area.

Imo it's not necessarily about a cat foot size, other factors to it such as snow depth , only so much snow a trap can reach through.

It's all in the guiding. But my go to is Bridger 2 or 3 or my 550s. Whatever is on top of pile

If you have seen a good clean track, that is just exactly how big that cat's foot is.

Not all that big.

Sometimes they will step right on an exposed trap pan.

All the time really. Some cat trappers use only exposed sets which is another reason for a larger trap. You can put a bigger pan on them making a more inviting place for a cat to step.

Caught a 40” Tom in an MB450 this season in an exposed walkthrough. Caught 2 more in a Bridget 1.75 exposed. Both stock pans

How many did you miss? With exposed trap and using the smaller sizes how often do you see sign where the cat stepped clear over it? Around here you need snow to see what happened every time. Cats are experts at not leaving sign.

P.S. I'm not saying a 1 1/2 wont catch and hold a big tom. It will. But only some of them. Some will fire the trap and not be there. Or just not step on it. when that happens you may not even know it happened without snow.

If I was trapping in NV where some of those toms are bringing a thousand bucks I wouldn't mess with small traps.

A cat's foot is about as big around as a snuff can. I am, solidly, in Danny's camp.

What's the smallest dbls that could be used? I'm using 4's now, thinking about going down to 2 or 3...

Biggest cat I've caught had a foot at 3 5/8". That one I had to call the warden to verify it wasn't a lynx barely white under tail ear tuffs were long but not long enough cheek tuffs prominent. Wardens couldn't believe that cat.

Lynx typically have 3.5" - 4.5" wide track.
I've caught several cats in 1 3/4's cs.

Lot cats caught in 3s

Red and Danny make real good points.It's about much more than foot size and holding power.A big tom's foot is about the width of an average coyote's though the hair may make it look bigger.

I have caught a ton of cats In MS and SC and NC and most of them were caught In a 1.75 sized trap.

My 2 trapping buddies and I have caught 100's of bobcats in 1.75 DCS. The main reason for using this size is for other states that require offset or padded jaws on #2 or larger. 1.75's dcs will also hold lions and bears. Just saying from 50 yrs experience.

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/06/bella-t.../#axzz588iXInpZ

Neat article Danny.

Yeah I've never understood why one would try to get by using the smallest trap they could if they didn't have too

^^^^^ yes sir, my wanting to use a smaller trap 2-3 dbls vs 4 is weight for packing in a long distance plus I trap on state land this also concerns me with rabbit hunters in the area, #4 dbls would be a headache for a houndsman....

#2 Bridger, both front feet of an adult cat. A #2 trap that locks up is plenty to hold a bobcat. Maybe if dealing with deep snow a higher jaw might help.

I was thinking people wanting to use ones smaller than 2s