This is topic My kingdom for a cat.... in forum Cat forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on January 12, 2009, 09:20 AM:
Indiana has a near non-existant bobcat population. We're hearing stories of sightings more and more these days: but still only at levels comparable to mountain lions and black coyotes and hot lesbians. It'll be a while before we see a season on cats, if we ever do.
So, having a personal goal of killing a bobcat before I die... I figured I better hit the road. GO WEST... as they say... Right?
I have a couple friends that are the best calling companions you could ask for, a 40 year professional and a world champion too! I took the best of equipment and planned my trip in the darkest nights. When I arrived I found myself in the best weather a guy could ask for- in the most beuatiful private ranches I've ever seen.
We hunted HARD, 4 straight nights, and never called a damn cat! Brought in a bunch of other predators... junk in my book... merely collateral fodder in my war on this elusive cat.
So that's bad enough right? To pack up your gear and your hope and wage it all on fate... then get shot down like a lead balloon? Ohhhh noooo... I had to come home to THIS picture on the trail camera.
Taken on my family farm while I was in Texas.
This is best, clearest picture I've ever seen of an Indiana bobcat. Looks like this is as close as I'll get to having those spots on my wall this year too! ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
[ January 12, 2009, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: Jrbhunter ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on January 12, 2009, 09:36 AM:
That fits in with my half-baked theory of never bothering to ask a local about their bobcat population. 99% of them don't know, but will still have an opinion, and the rest (that do know) will lie to you.
If you have that evidence from the trailcam, you should be able to get him, or her? Sounds like you don't have an open season? Are they mentioned, at all in the regulations, as protected?
Nice picture! LB
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on January 12, 2009, 10:05 AM:
Yes Leonard, they're protected.
Long story short: 4 years ago Bob Wendt, James White and myself managed to get them declassified.
In a private discussion over dinner with IDNR Director Kyle Hupfer I found that he had a Texas bobcat mount on display in his home. This came up in smalltalk about predator hunting- but struck in my mind since it was a goal of mine as well. Only a few months later, the National Trappers Association ran into difficulty holding their convention in our state due to restrictions on specific animal parts/furs/products. Including bobcats.
With Wendt's longstanding service to furtakers in this state, White's connections nationally and my personal relationship with the new IDNR Director & State Governor we were able to persuade the change along- and bobcat/otter/badger were declassified from Endangered to Protected just in time for the convention. This means we can possess the animals if they were harvested in a legal state and have proper CITES tags... but still cannot touch our resident animals.
The anti's took this change as an attack on wildlife: but it really didn't change much for Hoosier bobcats today. Perhaps in the next decade we'll see a motivated furbearer biologist: and a limited season?
PS: Aside from my personal hunting, calling and trapping efforts... there are nearly a dozen family members hunting this property for 6 weeks each fall/winter. There are a handful of trail camears, 3 dozen snares and countless hours in the treestands that tell us no cats roam this property. Then one little flash changes it all! LOL!
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on January 13, 2009, 07:25 PM:
WOW! What a great picture of a beautiful cat! I too share your ambition to kill a bobcat someday.
Great picture!
[ January 13, 2009, 07:26 PM: Message edited by: Locohead ]
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on January 22, 2009, 04:57 PM:
Nothin' like gettin' a stick in the eye!! Maybe next time go to TX. on a full moon! ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on January 22, 2009, 06:56 PM:
JRB, I hate to poke you a second time while you are down, but there are indeed hot lesbians. Right in your home state, as a matter of fact.
Indy, to be more precise.
Check it out on any race day, 2 blocks north and 1 block east of the NE corner of the track. Real fun lovin gals.
Beautiful kitty.
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on January 23, 2009, 07:10 AM:
Wait a minute Joe... I have a sister that lives over there!
Damn. You guys are harsh. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Pics from the last check:
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on January 24, 2009, 07:58 AM:
Looks like the critters heard you were on the road.
You have a sister that lives close to the track? Can I park in her yard?
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on January 26, 2009, 06:01 AM:
Taking advice that Steve Craig gave me several years ago... I purchased some lure for our bobcat. My brother got it all setup and delivered these pictures to me last night.
Posted by RedRabbit (Member # 796) on February 01, 2009, 11:58 PM:
Nice pics there Jrb. I'm working on getting one of those bobs myself over here in my neck of the woods and have had no luck yet. I'm pretty sure I've got cats in this canyon bobs and mountain lion its just a matter of time before I get into one.
What kind of lure did you use to get that cat to come into the area looks like it works well.
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