Bobcats are solitary hunters and stalk their prey until they gain a foothold or get close enough to launch an attack.
Before you can successfully hunt bobcats, it is essential to identify their preferred habitat. Scout areas where bobcats have been known to frequent and confirm their presence by finding scat or tracks.
Identifying a Bobcat
Bobcats are notoriously elusive – they usually stalk their prey undetected until the last second. Utilizing their keen senses and superior camouflage, these cats can hide in dense cover to avoid detection.
Bobcats possess excellent night vision, thanks to a high number of rods (light receptors) and cones (color receptors). These specialized eyes enable the cat to see in twilight or low light conditions as well as detect movement in its prey.
Their paws look similar to other felines’, with four front and back toes. The back toes are larger with an asymmetrical digital pad. In the center of their paw, there’s a palm pad that’s round with two lobes.
Another distinctive trait of bobcat fur is its reddish brown fur with subtle black spots and streaks at the top. This coat fades toward a white belly, making it easy for bobcats to blend in with foliage such as dappled forest or sagebrush – both common habitats.
A short bobbed tail, typically measuring four to seven inches in length, is another distinguishing trait of some dogs. Although the tail may be longer on some individuals, it will always appear proportionate with the rest of their body and have a black tip with some white fur at the end.
Other distinguishing marks for bobcats include scrapes and hunting spots, which are circular areas in which the animal sits to observe its environment. These can be extremely helpful in tracking bobcats as they provide detailed information about their movements.
Preparing for a Bobcat Hunt
Bobcats can be one of the most challenging predators to hunt. Tracking them and successfully taking down this feline can be a frustrating experience even for experienced hunters. But with proper knowledge and preparation, hunting bobcats can be both enjoyable and successful.
Before anything else, it’s essential to identify the habitat bobcats prefer. While they can be found throughout much of North America and parts of Canada and Mexico, they tend to congregate in areas that provide optimal conditions for their wellbeing.
Bobcats typically inhabit habitats covered in thick vegetation and dense understory, such as hardwood forests, mixed forests, and wetlands. Furthermore, they can tolerate a variety of terrain features like forest edges or rocky outcroppings.
Once you’ve identified an area, thoroughly search it for bobcat tracks and scats. These signs are a surefire indication that bobcats frequent the area.
Next, find a concealed stand location where you can set up without alerting other animals. Try getting up in a tree stand if possible or sit under trees or rocky outcroppings to break up your silhouette.
Finally, keep your voice as quiet and still as possible. Bobcats are highly suspicious creatures, so any change in body position could alert them to your presence.
Once you’re ready to call, use a distress call that mimics the howls of a rabbit. This sound is designed to attract bobcats as they have an instinctual predilection for hunting rabbits and will respond to this type of distress call.
Choosing a Bobcat Hunting Gear
No matter your experience level – whether you’re a first-time hunter or an experienced vet – when selecting bobcat hunting gear there are several things to take into account. From having the correct firearm to finding the ideal bobcat call, having everything working properly before heading out on safari is paramount.
You’ll need the appropriate bobcat hunting clothing to stay warm and dry, as well as shoes tailored specifically for you. Additionally, make sure your hat provides shade from view while hunting.
Bobcat hunting can be an exhilarating sport for both experienced and novice hunters alike, but the key to success lies in being prepared and equipped with only top-of-the-line bobcat hunting gear. Successful hunters understand that preparation is key to their success; therefore, they ensure they have everything necessary for a successful hunt.
Mossy Oak offers the ideal bobcat hunting gear to get the job done and bring home a trophy bobcat. From rifles to camouflage and everything in between, our selection of top-of-the-line products will meet all of your bobcat hunting requirements.
Start your bobcat hunting adventures off right by checking out our collection of the finest gear online – you won’t be disappointed!
Choosing a Bobcat Hunting Stand
If you’ve been hunting predators for any length of time, you know the importance of selecting the correct stand. It may even be your most essential piece of hunting gear.
A successful bobcat set up should provide plenty of movement and visibility while still providing cover to shoot if necessary. It’s best to stay away from thick brush that could be easily spotted, which could cause the animal to spook before you are within range of fire.
To guarantee a successful hunt, take time and scout the area thoroughly before arriving for your bobcat hunt. This is essential as bobcats have extensive territory to cover and may roam for days before returning to one spot.
Ideally, your stand location should have both wooded and open ground. This way, you can quickly spot if a bobcat is nearby and call them in more easily.
Bobcats can be challenging to capture, especially if you’re new to predator hunting. But with some patience and persistence, you may be able to successfully capture these elusive animals.
When starting a bobcat hunt, be sure to thoroughly scout the area, set up an effective stand and call naturally. With practice, bobcats will become part of your regular hunting schedule.
Choosing a Bobcat Call
Bobcats can be notoriously call-shy and lose interest if they have to wait too long before hearing your call. Al Morris and Mike Rodgers like to keep their callers running continuously for 30 minutes or more when hunting bobcats, in order to prevent this from occurring.
They often employ bird distress sounds when calling bobcats, though rabbit distress sounds can also be effective. Additionally, running a motion decoy helps maintain a cat’s attention and prevents hang-ups.
When selecting a bobcat call, ensure it’s comfortable for you and easy to transport. Furthermore, check the volume and sound of the sound; it should be subtle enough not to alarm cats but loud enough for them to hear it clearly.
When planning your hunting location, one factor to consider is terrain similar to what the cats live in. Brushy draws, plum thickets and hidden coulees can all be great spots to search for them.
Once you identify a good spot to hunt, make it your mission to check in regularly on that area. Doing this will guarantee that bobcats are frequently passing through and you can call them back when they appear.
Choosing a Bobcat Location
To truly become a pioneer in bobcat hunting, you need to identify an area with plenty of high quality habitat. That means making sure the location a) has plenty of cats and b) fits your trapping style. Some important considerations when selecting a hunting area include avoiding single tracks or multiple tracks, scouting for multiple tracks and making sure there are no competing game animals in the vicinity. Other elements to take into account include terrain, access and property ownership. Researching the sport of your choice is worthwhile. You’ll be able to find plenty of insightful material online, in print and at your local hunt club. Furthermore, gathering like-minded friends and colleagues who share an enthusiasm for hunting makes for a fun-filled afternoon.