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Author
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Topic: Do We Have A Problem?
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 02, 2007 03:03 PM
I've been saying for the last couple of years that I think we have a problem with Bobcats. No one wanted to listen, so I just dropped it. Now... they are rethinking what I told them.
For the last couple of years it wasn't even fun to go out Spring Gobbler anymore because I was always set somewhere, it seemed, that I would have to fight for a turkey between myself and the Bobcats, which they always got the meat first. So I just quit going turkey hunting.
I'd say 3-4 times out of calling coyotes I would get a Bobcat to respond first. So it was my decision to stop calling and wait for it to get bored and walk off or high tail it out of there and make a new set up.
In the last couple of years our deer situation has been going down, the turkeys are thinning out and the coyotes have shifted their territory slightly. The Cuddyback camera has been pretty busy with Bobcat pictures more than any other animal no matter where we move it to on the 270 acres we have.
Here in Pennsylvania we can't hunt Bobcats unless we win the Game Commissions lottery which is BS IMHO, but oh well. So therefore, the Bobcats aren't getting hunted like other game. They are not afraid to respond to a call, any call. With the extreme LOW amount of lottery tags given out per year, they are well protected.
In just the last week, we have seen in plain daylight, four cross the road to which we had to stop the truck to let them get crossed. Then Wednesday night, we had five cross the road and head up into our main pasture. And today in the morning we had five cross the road and head out behind our barn and head up to the scrubs which they worked hard. The game was running out of there like a chinese fire drill.
Now, people here on the farm are getting nervous. I don't know anything really about a Bobcat, so I thought I would post here. I've known coyotes to travel in packs from time to time, but didn't know it was natural for Bobcats to do the same thing.
Is this normal behavior for them to be traveling with so many together or is it of your opinion that, Yes we definately have a problem?
Any information would be greatly appreciated and I value the knowledge to be gained here. Thanks
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
Member # 690
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posted February 02, 2007 03:57 PM
I guess I'm confused! So what if a bobcat responds to your call first, keep calling. It's not like the cat is going to chase off a coyote that might show up on the scene! Most of us have had both cats and coyotes show up on a set, no reason to stop calling just because a cat is on the scene and you can't shoot it!
What happens to road kill bobcat? Do you get to pick them up? If so, next time they cross infront of you, accidently hit the go peddle instead of the stop peddle! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Two is the most I've seen together! 5 together seems strange, at least to me!
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Is it hunting season yet? I hate summer!
Posts: 996 | From: Elizabeth, CO | Registered: Aug 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 02, 2007 06:07 PM
Actually, unusual, but I have seen five bobcat together once, it was in Utah.
Sherri, do you have an open season on cats? Either way, a gunshot won't hurt your stand, unless the animal sees you. Just dump the cat and wait for the coyote, although, in most cases, it's the other way around.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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onecoyote
Knows what it's all about
Member # 129
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posted February 02, 2007 07:15 PM
TRnCO, five bobcats in one spot is not the norm but I've seen it myself in Mexico, I've also seen three a couple times. Crow Woman, kill them darn cats and save a turkey
[ February 02, 2007, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: onecoyote ]
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Great minds discuss ideas.....Average minds discuss events.....Small minds discuss people.....Eleanor Roosevelt.
Posts: 893 | From: Walker Lake Nevada. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 02, 2007 09:16 PM
Leonard,
I wanted to clarify this before I went off to bed. I call it the lottery, but I think you would better understand it as "Drawing a Tag". And I have yet to Draw a Tag. Those that do get lucky are allowed 1 Bobcat per Season with that lucky draw. That is it.
I don't know what the actual count is for issueing tags but last I knew it was ridiculously, low in the hundreds. Someone else from Pennsylvania that posts here would probably know better than me on that.
The cats aren't being hunted much yet in Pennsylvania, so I've found them to respond to the call before the coyotes. They certainly haven't been trained to be gun shy or call shy yet.
TRnCO,
Call me a pansy, heck call me a girl ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) but I just can't see the scenerio of a Bobcat jumping in my lap at night and I can't shoot it. That's just a little too close for comfort. If I was allowed to shoot them, then heck yes, I'd keep calling.
I just wanted to hear about how they travel as a group. I just have a bad feeling that five traveling together is NOT a good sign ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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slydog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 389
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posted February 03, 2007 02:24 PM
CrowChick,
Here is a thought you may want to try. Go to your local sporting goods store and pick up some bear mase, try to get at least 4%, 5 would be better. Now when them cats come in and mess up your stand just hit them with the spray and before long they will no longer respond to your calling. In fact they will remove themselfs from your neck of the woods as it may be a few days before they can see well enough to hunt and they will most likely not respond to your calling.
I use this method on bear when I call in a sow with cubs.... It works...
Well I'm out of the office.
sly
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Smote the Yote with a slydog custom call
Posts: 179 | From: SW Idaho | Registered: Aug 2004
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Tim Behle
Administrator MacNeal Sector
Member # 209
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posted February 03, 2007 02:52 PM
I've never seen bear mace sprayed, but I've seen dog mace. The stuff is nearly useless as it doesn't spray far.
Try the stuff for spraying wasp nests on the roof line of your house. It will shoot a steady stream 30-40' up. Makes a hell of a good dog repellant, should work on cats or bears just as well.
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Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take
an ass kickin'.
Posts: 3160 | From: Five Miles East of Vic, AZ | Registered: Jun 2003
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted February 03, 2007 02:57 PM
I got bear mace in my car all the time. You can knock the shit out of people with it. Its pretty strong and shoots long distance and fogs well. Its great for taking out more than one person at a time.
Probably the biggest kick I got out of using it was on three guys in a car that tried to get away once, trying to run over me basically. They had a window cracked and when we got them stopped, I tried to empty the can in the cab of that car. Didnt take them long to exit.
That stuffs great for multiples.
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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slydog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 389
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posted February 03, 2007 04:53 PM
Problem is Tim, In PA if you don't have a permit and you kill one your in trouble. and hornet and wasp spray will make them very sick if it don't kill them.
Last spring I called in a sow that would go about 250-275 and at 60 yards I stood up and waved my arms.. To no avail, she kept comming and in fact she picked up the pace the closer she got. at 20 yards I started spraing her and at about 10 yards I got a direct hit to the nose and eyes. I had my 50AE cocked and ready but at the last seccond she turned and went off into the woods balling and ripping up small trees as she went. The cubs followed her retreat and I never had to fire my gun.
Thats why I carry the bear mace and thats why I pay more for the most potent I can get..
words of warning..
Don't spray it directly into the wind unless its your last resort. the fog and overspray will get in your eyes and on you and it sucks. Trust me...
Sly
[ February 03, 2007, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: slydog ]
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Smote the Yote with a slydog custom call
Posts: 179 | From: SW Idaho | Registered: Aug 2004
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 03, 2007 10:17 PM
Doggonit Sly Puppy... Now THIS sounds like a great idea to me. This is something I could definately work with and feel comfortable.
I have a keychain dispenser filled with CS Tear Gas/Red Pepper that the police gave to me after my house was burglarized. Make is SABRE. I wonder if that would do the trick? Maybe Andy recognizes the brand?
ok... now that I know that I will feel much better about them coming in... Does anyone know much about the workings of a Bobcat?
btw... who was it that said something about stepping on the gas instead of the brake? I Like that one
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 04, 2007 06:49 AM
Sherri, with a cat, all you really have to do is let them hear the hissing of the escaping gas, even if it was the canned air that you use to clean your keyboard. Probably think it is a snake, or something(?) but they will shy away from that sound. What I'm saying is, it might not matter if you are using bear mace or human pepper spray, as long as it hisses when you press the lever.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31459 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 04, 2007 07:23 AM
That's interesting Leonard! I didn't know that. Thanks.
I forgot to mention that when I got home from work this morning at 1 a.m. they were out in our field beside the barn. With the snow cover and a clear sky it just lit everything up like daylight. They were heading in the direction of the scrubs again. All 5 of them still together ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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Tim Behle
Administrator MacNeal Sector
Member # 209
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posted February 04, 2007 09:10 AM
Leonard,
I just read your post and couldn't help but want to test it. Joyce's cat was asleep on the tile floor in the dining room, so I snuck up behind it with a can of air.
I'll give that cat an A for effort, it was trying like hell to get traction, but all four legs went in every direction.
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Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take
an ass kickin'.
Posts: 3160 | From: Five Miles East of Vic, AZ | Registered: Jun 2003
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Melvin
Knows what it's all about
Member # 634
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posted February 04, 2007 04:39 PM
Crow Woman,we have a bobcat problem in the south western corner of Pa. as well.Here is a picture of one of five we caught in a two week period a 1/4 mile from my home.We been trying to take out two well educated coyotes and the bobcats have been getting in the traps and screwing up things for us.We finally took out one of the coyotes and gave up on the other,to many bobcats in the area.This is the largest of the five,a big male that gave up a hard time,to set free.
[ February 04, 2007, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Melvin ]
Posts: 661 | From: PA. | Registered: Apr 2005
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slydog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 389
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posted February 04, 2007 05:21 PM
Letting a cat of that size go is a job all in its owne.
Cool pic. thanks for shairing
sly
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Smote the Yote with a slydog custom call
Posts: 179 | From: SW Idaho | Registered: Aug 2004
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 04, 2007 09:53 PM
Dang Melvin... That is a nice sized cat! I wouldn't have wanted to be you to have to release that thing. A question for you... are you a PPHA member? I seem to remember that you are. Does PPHA have anything on the agenda to approach the game commission over this issue with too many bobcats? Just curious.
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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Melvin
Knows what it's all about
Member # 634
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posted February 05, 2007 11:08 PM
Crow Woman,it's never an easy job taking a bobcat out of a trap.We use what we call a hog catcher.It's nothing more than a cable run through a pipe and the ends of the cable attached to a handle.My cousin will get on one side of the cat and i on the other.He tries to draw the cats attention so i can get the noose on it.Oh,it's a lot of fun,you will have to try it sometime.LOL
I'm not a member of the PPHA,but plan on joining them soon.They have helped get a few regulations changed in our favor and deserve our support.Myself and others are doing our best to get the bobcat season opened for ALL that applies for a tag.With some luck we can convince them how many bobcats there really are.This past year,i have called and trapped more cats than any time in my life,and they weren't the targeted animal.
Posts: 661 | From: PA. | Registered: Apr 2005
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 06, 2007 03:43 AM
"I'll have to try it sometime" lol... How about if I just take your word for it... I bet if you invite Tim Behle, he'll bring a can of air
Well, we definately have a problem here in PA and something has got to change. I talked to the game commission on our issue and asked if it was breeding season and was that the reason that they are so grouped up. The answer that I got was "no, they are like domestic cats and can breed anytime of the year." I don't know if that was correct info given... I really have to do some research, I guess.
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 06, 2007 09:18 AM
Yeah, I think they can breed at different times of the year?
I will give you an (my) opinion of what you are dealing with. I think you have a mother cat, and a large litter. One of the infrequent times that I was able to kill a triple on bobcat, it was a female and two almost grown cubs. I'm not real sure how many babies a bobcat will have, but perhaps they occasionally have four, rather than the more normal, two?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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PAyotehunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 764
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posted February 06, 2007 11:32 AM
Sherri,
I'am an officer in the PPHA and will bring this up in the next officers meeting.
I think it will be real tough to get anything done about it. The PGC only gives out a couple hundred bobcat tags and they can only be used in a few managment areas in the northeast and northcentral part of the state.
You may have above average bobcat population in your area but the "problem" is not statewide so don't hold your breath. I know Potter county has been reporting above average bobcat sightings for the past 10-15 years. Potter is one of the bobcat hunting/trapping areas and I believe williamsport(your area) is in there as well.
Breeding takes place from late February to early March. Male bobcats don't become sexually mature until two years old. Female can breed in their first year, but often do not. Kittens are born following a 50 to 60 day gestation period. Litters range from one to four young, with about two the average. Bobcats give birth in dens: rock crevices, caves and hollow logs insulated with dry leaves and mosses. Though fully furred, kittens are blind and helpless at birth; their eyes open after eight or nine days and they are weaned within two months. Kittens stay with their mothers for a period of several more months, learning to hunt and kill prey, and reach 60 percent of their adult weight by winter.
I would like to see the PGC open bobcat to the entire state and allow hunters and trappers to purchase a(1 per year) bobcat tag and do away with the drawing. I've been applying for a tag since it started and have yet to be drawn. If you draw a tag you are not eligable to apply for one the next year. I know of a few guys that have been drawn twice over a few year period.
I highly doubt we will see anything done with the bobcat season & regs. anytime soon.
Bobcats should not hinder your coyote hunting.
I doubt that bobcats have much to do with the deer pop. in your area.
I can see your turkey pop. & hunting being affected.
You should check into guiding hunters & trappers that have drawn a cat permit. I hear some are willing to pay a fair amount to fill their tag. If its as you say you could help you problem and make a few bucks to boot.
Aaron
Posts: 57 | From: Northeast PA | Registered: Dec 2005
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Rich Higgins
unknown comic
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posted February 06, 2007 11:37 AM
Sheri, this past spring a man called the fire dept. to his home here in north Scottsdale because he heard kitten cries coming from inside the wall in his living room. Fireman knocked a hole in the wall and removed a very young bobcat kitten. They went up into the attic and found the mother bobcat with three other kittens.
Now this fellow also thought he had a bobcat problem. LOL
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RagnCajn
ADDS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Member # 879
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posted February 06, 2007 08:24 PM
Cats in the wall. About 5 weeks ago, I had my kitchen remodeled. they put up the sheetrock and went home that day. We get home from work and my wife cant find her cat. After looking for 30 minutes or so, I hear the cat crying from behind the wall. I had to take down a sheet of drywall to free the cat. Wife wasn't happy.
We are seeing more Bobcats in our area also. We can only shoot one cat per season, provided we have a large game license. All others must be trapped with a fur takers permit
Posts: 362 | From: Shreveport LA | Registered: Jul 2006
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Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
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posted February 08, 2007 05:07 AM
Sorry for the slight delay, I've been in Harrisburg for a few helping and hanging with my friend at his booth.
Payotehunter, I knew PPHA has been extremely instrumental in helping the callers back east here in rules and regs and such. I was curious of this was going to be something you were going to be lobbying in the future in some sorts.
As far as guiding and making money, any one that truly knows me back here, knows that all someone has to do is ask and I'll try and get them scheduled around my schedule to get them here to hunt these cats. They would have to furnish their own lodging and meals and I would set them loose after showing them the property boundary lines. I do have a few minor rules that they will have to adhere to, but nothing major. I ask for no money! sheribaity@yahoo.com
RagnCajn... sorry about your cat Although I'm laughing at the moment... that would be terrible
Professor... I haven't heard any meowing in the walls yet, so maybe I don't have a problem
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Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 687 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
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varmit hunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 37
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posted February 08, 2007 08:12 AM
Sheri, There is always the tried and true SSS.
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Make them pay for the wind.
Posts: 932 | From: Orange,TX | Registered: Jan 2003
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PAyotehunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 764
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posted February 08, 2007 01:41 PM
Sheri,
I will definitely bring it up in the next meeting.
I would like to see something done about it. I think there is no reason they could not open bobcats state wide, with a bag limit of one per hunter/trapper per year to start. Most "predator callers" in PA are wannabe's and would more than likely buy a tag and do more talking about it than actually going out calling. Trappers would harvest the majority.
If I ever get drawn for a tag I will take you up on your offer. No need for lodging, just a small chunk of level ground for my tent. I'm sure Dave Dunbar will come with and film.
Thanks
Aaron
Posts: 57 | From: Northeast PA | Registered: Dec 2005
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