Any bobcat trappers out there?
- Thread starter cyflier
- Start date
I think this should answer your questions. Dr. Clark is also the faculty advisor for ISU's chapter of Pheasant's Forever.
Pheasant Ecology: Predators
I can't answer that. I just don't want to perpetuate the myth that they are harming the pheasant population. That's the kind of lie that lead to the wanton slaughter of many of Iowa's natural predators in the past.
Most of my knowledge of bobcat trapping comes from 2nd hand sources. I want that disclaimer out there so you don't take everything I say as the word of some expert bobcat trapper (never trapped one, being from NEIA).
If you have lots of fox in your area, I would use a beefed up number 2 CS. If not, a number 3 would probably a better option, but a number 3 would potentially cause serious injury to an incidental red fox. For sets, Bobcats can be taken in dirtholes and other sets commonly used for Coyotes. One main difference is that a bobcat relies more on eyesight and less on scent than canines, so eye appeal is more important than with coyote trapping. They also are apparently less resistant to "being squeezed" so you can use more blocking to direct the cat over your trap.
Good luck, maybe next time look for a trapping forum to post the question in, if you've ever seen the football posts around here, you know the lovely folks here at CF can be rather hard on opinions that differ from their own :wink:
There is a difference between an "opinion" and a conclusion drawn from scientific evidence. The OPs mistake was trying to justify trapping bobcats as a pheasant conservation measure instead of coming out and saying he just wanted to trap a bobcat for fun. Which is fine, if done legally.
Ive caught several bobcat on fox sets, leghold with fox urine. Set it on a run and hope. The feeling of checking traps and finding your first cat is awesome and addicting. Good luck. Also just google bobcat sets or something and youll fet a lot of info. You can also call them like coyotes but prob not very good luck, prob end up with a coyote coming in. Still fun and about 20 times harder than deer hunting plus you can use high powers
"Predators have historically been and will continue to be the principle decimating factor for pheasant nests and adult birds, as they are for all other small game species."
"Predation accounts for three-fourths of unsuccessful nests, and nearly all of adult mortality (excluding hunting) is directly predator related. The problem can be exacerbated when insufficient habitat and severe weather make pheasants more vulnerable."
Less bobcats, more pheasant.
"Predation accounts for three-fourths of unsuccessful nests, and nearly all of adult mortality (excluding hunting) is directly predator related. The problem can be exacerbated when insufficient habitat and severe weather make pheasants more vulnerable."
Less bobcats, more pheasant.
Yeah, I'm sorry but it is taking every once of will to not make a sarcastic comment about baiting with "good news".
dont trap it. be a real man and get out there with nothing but a loincloth and spear and roshambo with that son of a *****
I was referencing the response all the way down in the 2nd post that insinuated there was no point to trapping unless you were going to eat them. I agree that trapping bobcats wouldn't be a significant pheasant conservation technique. Even if they do raid nests from time to time, they don't hold a candle to skunks, possums, and raccoon.
Great logic. I see you conveniently skimmed over this part in the same article where it listed the principle predators for pheasants. Hint: it didn't mention bobcats. Not once.
I see you also conveniently ignored the report by the same scientist that stated that ALL BIRDS accounted for less than 2% of the stomach contents of bobcats captured across Iowa. Meaning that pheasant remains accounted for <<2%.
Another reason it wouldn't be significant is because legally you are only suppose to be able to trap one bobcat for an entire season.
Thought about mentioning that, but didn't want to have to defend my refusal to eat dozens of skunks and possum every year
I have no problem if the OP traps cats. It is legal if one holds the proper fur bearer's license, the trapping does not wipe out the bobcat population, and bobcat pelts are pretty sweet.
With that said, the OP should have left out the pheasant reasoning, and just stuck to the joy of trapping.
With that said, the OP should have left out the pheasant reasoning, and just stuck to the joy of trapping.