This is topic Any Cat Trappers here? in forum Cat forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 08, 2004, 05:26 PM:
I've been thinking about running a small bobcat line next fall. I've never lived in a place I could legally trap them before, and I've always wanted to catch a few.
I know a few sets that I've been taught by other trappers over the years, but don't recall a good bobcat lure. Anyone have a commercial lure they'd recommend?
What works best for cats, gland, food or curiosity?
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 08, 2004, 06:24 PM:
I hope somebody shares some knowledge with you, Tim. I'd be very interested.
Seems like food wouldn't work as well as gland, with a visual, like a piece of wing hanging from a branch. Then, location.
Hell, I don't know, never done it.
Steve Craig has; probably others, here?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on June 08, 2004, 07:43 PM:
I'll help you all I can. I just don't know if northern lure and southern lure are the same. I use a gland type lure close to the set such as O'Gormans "cat pisser" or John Grahms "Tomcat", and use a call lure like O'Gs LDC above and away from the set. Cats have good noses, but I truly believe that the secret to any trapping (cats included) is location. Find tracks and cat toilets and half the battle is won. I use alot of flags for cats too. A peice of fox or coyote hide about 3x3 on a swivel is great. I hope this helps a little.
[ June 08, 2004, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Cal Taylor ]
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 08, 2004, 09:59 PM:
Tim,
Looks like the old trappin' bug has still got ahold of you.
I've trapped cats all over this country. North ,south,and the west. Make your sets like a 12 year old kid would,the crudest dumbest looking sets, and you will catch alot of bobcats. If you try to canine trap them, you will get very few. Next piece of advice is to set on a bobcat track. Location is everything.
As far as bait goes, only one......beaver.
Lure......I use my own, an old Bill Nelson formula. Next would be my old mentor's Mel Hershberger's formula: mackeral,honey,asofetida, beaver castor, and just a weee bit of skunk essense. Next, I like Fuller Laugemans and O'Gormans.
My old buddy Bob Wendt uses Bill Nelson's cat bait and he adds some extra castor and skunk. He catches 60 to 80 cats a year on just this stuff.
Next, use a good cat urine and flag the set like Cal said and just use as much visual attractors as possible.
Finally, forget the fall trapping and wait untill they are prime in late Jan and feb and march. Cats are late primers. A $300 bobcat killed Feb 1st will only bring you $75 in Nov and Dec. You can get away with trapping some Dec cats at high elevations, but even then you will get docked some. I too will be running a good bobcat line as a $300 bobcat sure beats the $100 Trophy Fee I get from clients, plus all the fun. Good luck and good trapping.
FWIW
Steve
Posted by Coyotl (Member # 348) on June 09, 2004, 01:52 PM:
Tim - all of the above is good advice. Note the enphasis on location. Around here (Central Oregon) that means rimrocks that have cottontails. Scout! After a night's snow here, we drive the backroads, check tracks, and mark on maps. This applies to trapping, calling, or using hounds. Find many active cat areas then hunt or trap such areas later. Catnip can be very successful. Catnip oil from your pharmacy, mix it into vaseline, spread vaseline/catnip paste on sticks/rocks by traps. Visuals are important;cats are curious. I like a feather on a 2-pound monfilment line. That'll catch any faint breeze. Coyotl
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 10, 2004, 07:52 PM:
Steve,
That bug has had ahold of me since before I started grade school. I don't think it will ever let go.
Next time you talk to Bob, give him my Email address. I lost his in a crash not long after I moved out here. Several of the sets I plan to use, are ones that he gave to me.
Beaver? That's the only thing I miss about Indiana. I'm going back for the NTA convention next year, and I still have 1.5 acres along Big Walnut. But it will be too Early for them unless the neighbor is bitching about them in his cornfields. ( Why did I bring all of these 330's to the desert any way? )
Cal,
You named the makers of my two favorite coyote lures. I may just have to try their cat lures as well.
Just out of curiosity. Did you use Bonanza while Gary Jepson was still making it? How do you like it now?
Coyotl,
The Good Lord may not have blessed me with much. But he made up for it by giving me a pretty good memory. Cat's have always caught my eye, and I can probably show you the location of every bobcat or lion track I have found in Cochise County since I moved here 4 years ago. One of the main reasons I had for moving down here is due to trapping. You can't trap on public land in AZ, and the SE corner has more private land than anywhere else in the State.
The other reason I moved here is the lack of that white shit. It's nice to look at on top of the mountains, but I don't want to drive or sit in it any more.
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 11, 2004, 06:26 AM:
Tim,
I will be working with Bob in Aug in Wy. If you check out Trapperman.com, you will find him spending most of his time there. Usually taking hits from someone! I talk to him just about every day or two. Be happy to give him your addy. He just finished two of the best, down to earth ,no nonsense trapping videos on the market. Having trapped with him for many years, I can assure you he always practices what he preaches. I consider him the finest all around trapper in the USA. I too, will be in Indiana for the NTA next year. I'll try and drag ole Bob along. He usually goes to WY in Aug each year, but I expect he'll have to be giving a demo or two this time. See you there. I have a one of the finest cat sets going, but I'll send it to you via e-mail.
Steve
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 11, 2004, 03:47 PM:
What's the best trap size for bobcats? I still have a few of the 1 1/2 Montgomery's that will hold anything, and I've caught them in a couple of custom made coyote traps. But there is probably something a little better than a coyote trap for holding them.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 11, 2004, 04:24 PM:
Tim, you know I get down your way, once in a while. I think your fur is going to vary, from one year to the next. Some years, they look almost like they came out of Flag' and other years; not so good. If it were me, I'd try to get some access across the line, over in the boot heel. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Good luck, partner. LB
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 11, 2004, 04:48 PM:
Tim,
My all time favorite is a #3 or #4 Monty. I have taken a pile of bobcats in #2 Monty's too. Bob uses all #3 Softcatch. To each his own. I also love the old 3N's as well. If you like the dogless traps, John Grahm and Gerald Schmitt have the new #3 Monty copy called the #3Montana Special. Very affordable trap. The 1 1/2 Monty will work, but I like a bit more jaw spread.
Steve
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 11, 2004, 06:33 PM:
Leonard,
Running across the line to the East is a little farther than I was thinking of going. But you can bet I will be watching the southern line. I know where they cross and any cat not found to be carrying a green card will be coming home with me
Steve,
I've a couple dozen of the #3 softcatch, give the buyer what he wants, and Bob was my favorite buyer.
I've a few #2 dogless, I've never found the problem with dogs that a lot of folks complain about. My favorite coyote trap is one put together by Sterling called the F.C. Taylor #4. It holds the coyotes as well or better than the softcatch, with as little or less damage. Plus, no pads for a coon to ruin.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 12, 2004, 09:24 AM:
quote:
Leonard,
Running across the line to the East is a little farther than I was thinking of going.
yeah, I understand. You know your area better than I do.
But tell me, if you have a clear shot at a cat that won't cross that southern fence, would you go get him? Tough decision. But that's calling, not setting steel.
Good luck, I know you will do well. LB
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 13, 2004, 05:20 PM:
Leonard,
It's not that far as the Crow flies to New Mexico, but it takes an hour and a half to get there by the time you drive around the mountains.
I hope you understand if I only answer the other question by email.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 13, 2004, 05:40 PM:
....sure do.
All I'm saying is that that San Luis Rey (?) Pass is good looking stuff. As far as I drive to get there, what's another hour, or so. Let's face it, you got some good area to work with, no matter which direction you go.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 17, 2004, 05:13 PM:
Leonard,
Is that pass North or South of I-10? I can't find it on my maps.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 17, 2004, 06:30 PM:
Tim, I don't have a NM map handy. As memory serves, the road goes due east out of Douglas, and almost right on the AZ/NM border, there is some sort of monument, bronze plaque, something about Coronado? But the road continues east along the border, through the pass, and then turns north towards Hatchita, Columbus and Animas I think there is a good population of cats in the area, but if it's too far, it's too far.
For when when you want to do some sightseeing. I have a hard time believing that Vic hasn't sniffed around there, once or twice.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 17, 2004, 06:39 PM:
OK, now I know where you are talking about. I've been in the area a few times, never with Vic, but I did make it there once with Bruce.
I've always stopped and turned around, or at least quit hunting when I got to the NM border. I'd be my luck to find a brand new Game Warden, first day out of school with a never before used book of citations, and knowledge of more laws than we've ever heard of.
Bruce has been after me to get a NM liscense. I may have to do that this year.
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