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Post by raymar on Dec 23, 2017 19:57:05 GMT -5
I caught and released a young muddy bobcat this morning. This is the first that I have ever seen but have heard a few were seen around my house. Honestly was not terrible to release but I may have a piece of plywood vs the pallet with a hole cut out next time. It managed to be able to see and reach thru but actually was released quickly. and ran off unharmed. Rather neat and to be honest I probably would released it even if there was a season this year. I was shocked when I walked up as from a distance I couldn't believe how small a coyote I caught. When I got close I realized quickly it was not happy. I swore this summer I heard one scream late one night when I let the dogs out so I guess this confirmed it.   |
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 23, 2017 20:21:34 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing..
Releasing them can get a bit hairy..
Neat critters.
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Post by raymar on Dec 23, 2017 22:59:46 GMT -5
It actually wasn't bad. But I had my dad come and help. With its attention on him it was fairly relaxed. I always wanted to see one but I didn't want to pet the first one I saw.
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Post by esshup on Dec 24, 2017 6:11:15 GMT -5
Cool!! That is one muddy kitty!
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 24, 2017 6:44:41 GMT -5
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Post by raymar on Dec 24, 2017 9:21:19 GMT -5
Not sure I would have let go of plywood with both hands. Given my luck it would have fell on top and scared it my way.
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Post by moose1am on Dec 25, 2017 6:03:56 GMT -5
That kitty cat is soaking wet and not a happy camper. LOL Good to see you released it back into the wild. Yea a piece of plywood board would really help. I've seen Officer Gordon Woods using something like that to release a trapped animal on video (YOU TUBE IIRC).
Good to see the Bob Cat Population expanding. There is a limit on how many can live in one small area due to the carrying capacity of the area they live in. Food and shelter are limiting factors when it comes to predator numbers. Top Predators can only survive and raise health young if they have a good environment. They fill up a certain nich which other predators like coyotes occupy. Both eat smaller mammals and birds. So there is only so much to go around. Plus we humans take a few rabbits home for dinner once in a while too.
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Post by Pinoc on Dec 25, 2017 9:47:42 GMT -5
They are neat critters for sure. I have yet to see one in the woods. Still not sure how I feel about them being around. I know most guys are excited to see them back but at the same time most guys hate feral cats. Same effect on other wildlife.
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Post by raymar on Dec 25, 2017 11:52:28 GMT -5
I for one like to see them around. They were extremely rare in my area and several seen in past year or so. You likely will never have a population explosion but enough that they will be seen more. I can assure you they don't have the advantage a hawk or owl has at rabbits and other game. I can see hawks daily.
Bobcat will hurt the small game population but probably not as bad as humans do by removing cover etc. I would like to have one in the man cave one day though.
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Post by bullseye69 on Dec 25, 2017 20:21:17 GMT -5
I for one like to see them around. They were extremely rare in my area and several seen in past year or so. You likely will never have a population explosion but enough that they will be seen more. I can assure you they don't have the advantage a hawk or owl has at rabbits and other game. I can see hawks daily. Bobcat will hurt the small game population but probably not as bad as humans do by removing cover etc. I would like to have one in the man cave one day though. My wife wants one mounted. |
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Post by duff on Dec 26, 2017 6:50:07 GMT -5
6 yrs ago I hit one 1/2 mile from my house. It was a pretty cat.
Went back and woke my wife up to look at it, kicked it onto the edge of the road and went to work. Tried to find anything on IDNR web page for reporting and got nothing.
Few days later it made front pafe of Bedford's paper with instructions on how to report.
I have seen them dead on sr37 and seen a few running around, surprised me when it made front page!
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Post by raymar on Dec 26, 2017 20:54:17 GMT -5
My brother in law was able to mount one when he was in Missouri I believe in taxi school. It was his final project. It is an awesome mount and definitely worth it. I don't think I could harvest one without mounting given the limited opportunity here if a season comes in next year and what it would bring put up. Not to mention I would have more in a stretcher I would rarely if ever use again nor have an idea how to do it. lol. It took a few coyotes to get the hang of it.
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Post by nfalls116 on Dec 26, 2017 21:18:27 GMT -5
Hard to get a good predator mount
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Post by medic22 on Dec 26, 2017 21:27:14 GMT -5
I might try my hand at it in a few years, ive always wanted a bobcat mount.
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Post by budd on Dec 27, 2017 9:19:55 GMT -5
Warning...if you ever use a catch pole to release a bobcat they choke to death VERY easy. I have released a lot of small cats for seed, I found to keep leg/foot damage to a minimum it was best to use a choke pole, as soon as their eyes glaze take the noose off and quickly remove the trap, few seconds to long with the noose and it's lights out for good.
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Post by raymar on Dec 27, 2017 12:29:31 GMT -5
Ya if you watch most of the trapping videos show how to do it with getting leg as well to prevent. Lot easier said than done especially with a homemade catch pole. I will stick with plywood as I can generally carry it to all my sets if needed. I did release a red tail hawk with my coat once when I was first starting. Learned real quick why you don't leave exposed bones and fur in dirt hole. That was a little hairy as well but despite not wanting to I let it go.
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Post by moose1am on Dec 28, 2017 10:21:45 GMT -5
Just Yesterday while driving to Raben Tire in Newburgh, IN I saw a red tail hawk cross in front of my truck on the roadway and land close to the edge of the road near some brush. It was catching some small animal which I could not tell what it was due to the tall grass and I was trying to drive and stopped to look back over my right shoulder. So it was hard for me to stay stopped in the road for long and to turn my head backwards to the right as I have a bad neck. But the hawk flew off and went back the way it came. It cross behind my truck so it flew out of my sight line pretty fast. I still could see it but what ever it caught either got away or was too small for my old tired eyes to see in the hawks claws. But I did see the hawk using one leg and talons on something on the ground. I've seen them land on a mouse before and move their feet around trying to kill the mouse or what ever and holding their wings out to the side while on the ground getting ready to take back to the air. Such a pretty bird and very efficient hunter.
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Post by bowman0717 on Feb 26, 2018 11:44:10 GMT -5
Hi all, this is Sarah Bowman with the Indy Star. I know that the Indiana Natural Resources Commission has proposed a rule to allow for a hunting and trapping season for bobcats, with two public hearings for comments coming up next month.
I'd love to get some thoughts from folks about sightings of bobcats, why you might hunt/trap them and whether you are in favor of or against this proposed rule change (and why).
Let me know, feel free to respond here or email me (sarah.bowman@indystar.com) or give me a call (317-294-7221).
Thanks!
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