bobcats

leroy · 01-23-2008, 11:14 AM

we are starting to get lots of bobcats in our area. we have a dog we are training to tree them. what do you think i should use to shoot them? we have a 22lr or the next smallest is a 223. im a lil nervous the 22 will be a little small an i dont want a pissed off cat coming down the tree alive. but then again i think the 223 will blow it apart. im thinking of buying a 22 mag, 17hmr, 204, or maybe that new 17 remington. what do you think

Idaho Dave · 01-23-2008, 11:28 AM

we have used 22lr on bob cats and mountain lion (the caliber is legal here and human before anyone squaks. because, as leroy must already know, when treeing a cat you can get pretty close and you have plenty of time to aim for those head shots). the 22 lr doesnt mess up the hide. by the way I am sure you know that you probably need a license and tag for thema nd that the hide can be quite valuable. where in the US are you?

leroy · 01-23-2008, 11:44 AM

i live in southeast iowa. but we hav friends that live in missouri and thats where we would be hunting cuz they have more seasons down there. im sure they will open more seasons here tho cuz they are geting pretty thick. we got a dog and we think he will be pretty good on cats. we hunt allot a coons wit dogs here.

andrew cochran · 01-23-2008, 11:50 AM

.22 LR is fine for close shots as Idaho Dave said. It is not the best round but will work just fine. Do not use .17 HMR on a bobcat especially the polymier tiped ones, the bullet will blow up and will not penatrate as much as you'll need. .22 mag is perfect, use jacketed hollow point or soft point. If you use a .22 LR use cci velcitors, or stingers.

leroy · 01-23-2008, 12:13 PM

do you guys no of any tips about hunting them?

Idaho Dave · 01-23-2008, 12:20 PM

well honestly I have never tried to run bobcats with dogs though it has happend accidently. we do run lions all the time (and just let them go after treed usually unless they are big). Trapping is the most common way of getting bob's here, due to missunderstandings about modren trapping I wont go into any detail here but if your interested I could tell you haw we make a bobcat set and ways to try that. I have seen them called in to a varmit call before and shot that way. Or just people luck into them but that is pretty rare. take good care of the fur as soon as you kill them and make sure you arent shooting a lynx

BunnyWabbit · 01-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Heard their hides were selling for a real pretty penny, upwards over $100.

leroy · 01-23-2008, 12:33 PM

do you skin a bobcat simular to a coon?

neophyte · 01-23-2008, 01:15 PM

leroy: Sir; a man after my own heart. Chasing 'Bobcats" with dogs.

Buddy; get ready to move out. When that cat decides to go; MAN OH MAN. YOU need a bunch of dawgs. The music in the air

He'll tap, jump out, wiggle, and go.

You know what absolutely kick your Butt. That well trained hound will find himself a 'coon' or opossum and hang out their.

Dang that swamp

I want to go

.22 will take him out. Practice shooting UP.

Idaho Dave · 01-23-2008, 02:23 PM

here is a good guid to skin a cat

Bobcat/Lynx Skinning

here is an even better one
Louisiana Fur Industry

depends on a few things for me

leroy · 01-23-2008, 04:54 PM

thanks

lefty o · 01-23-2008, 09:31 PM

get yourself a spare dog, a bobcat will mess up a single one, no matter how big the dog. bobcats are not friendly little animals.

ArkansasHunter · 01-23-2008, 09:39 PM

Make sure you get a non resident hunting linsens < mis spelled) And be mindful not to trespass on posted land.

vikingpreacher · 01-23-2008, 09:52 PM

Hey leroy I'm sure you know this but, I live SW IA too (Audobon county, or something like that I can't spell it.) But anyway there is now a Iowa bobcat season for the 2 southern most tiers of county's in IA, I'm not that far south but maybe you are.

ShawnF · 01-23-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neophyte