Bobcat questions

[loco4coues]

On my deer hunt this past week I glassed up a huge bobcat. I first glassed him at about 400yds and he was moving up the ridge away from me, he finally topped over the ridge at 600+ yards. He was cruising pretty quick and wouldn't stop long enough for a good shot.

His tracks are all over the ridge, on top and on both sides. I would love to shoot this bobcat, so my question is how to go about it? I am not a huge predator hunter but I have called in coyotes and foxes with just your standard rabbit in distress call (not electronic call). I glassed him in the open on the south east facing slope. Other than where I glassed him the country is very thick and rough.

 

I'm thinking I need to get some kind of vantage point, with good cover for me (brush for my back drop), where I can see the close range thick stuff and also be able to see further to maybe catch him coming in before he gets close? Again, I don't have an electronic caller, and I am just asking so forgive my ignorance. I know wind is always a factor as well. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks guys in advance.

[BML]

I would get back in the area at first light and try to glass him up again.

 

If that doesn't work, try calling. Get a good back drop to break up your outline. BE STILL!! Cats will come in on you and you will never know. Then, all the sudden, there they are! Call for as long as you can possible call. Cats will lose interest when the calling stops. More than likely, once it starts to get warm, he will be in the nearest wash bottom or draw bottom with heavy cover.

 

I can't stress enough to be still. Last bobcat I killed, I called up and out of a canyon with about a 20 foot drop straight down. I didn't see him until he popped out the top and he was locked right on me! He literally stared me down for minutes before heading towards me. To this day I am positive that he thought I was going to be his lunch.

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[.270]

go back and call him in. Lark.

[loco4coues]

thanks guys. I don't know when I am going to be able to get back out there but I'm not worried about him. He is in a spot with no road access and a little hike in. I will let you all know how it goes.

[josh]

Cats can have a big territory but I believe if there is good water and godd food like rabbits they stay in the same general area. Your best bet is to use an electronic caller on cats. It keeps there attention away from you and you can set up so you have the advantage. If there is some thick stuff in this area that is where I would be calling and also do your calling in the later part of the day. Although I have called cats in at all times of the day I have the best luck from noon and after. They like high pitch sounds or lip squeeking. Also I really believe if there is one cat in the area there are plenty more.

 

Let us know how you do and good luck!! There is nothing like calling in your first cat they are a real trophy.

[loco4coues]

thanks for the advice Josh, I've been thinking about getting an electronic caller maybe now is the time to bite the bullet.

[cessna]

USING A HIGH PITCH SOUND SUCH AS A BIRD OR RODENT IN YOUR E-CALLER SEEMS TO WORK IN THE AREA I LIVE IN. ALSO I DON'T TEND TO USE A GREAT DEAL OF VOLUME ON MY E-CALLER. CALL CONTINUALLY WITH BRIEF PAUSES. MAKE YOUR STANDS AT LEAST 45 MIN TO AN HOUR. LACK OF MOVEMENT AND USING CAMO FOR EVERTHING IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU DON'T WEAR GLOVES, CAMO YOUR HANDS ESPECIALLY YOUR FINGERNAILS. SCENT IS IMPORTANT, BUT SEEMS TO BE SECONDARY TO SIGHT. I USE A COVER SPRAY OF CEDAR OR JUNIPER. THIS IS FOR THE AREA I CALL IN (NW NM). THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY TECHNIQUES, MAYBE NOT THE BEST BUT HAVE WORKED FOR ME THROUGH THE YEARS. ANYWAY, GOOD HUNTING. I HOPE THESE TIPS HELP YOU. MAYBE NOT THE BEST, BUT LIKE I SAID. THEY WORK FOR ME.