Bobcat Calling tips

[RyanSeek43]

Trying to call in a Bobcat here in Colorado. I'm very green when it comes to predator hunting so i have some questions.

1. I assume rabbit distress calls are the go to? Do you want hammer the calls or just a give a few here and there?
2. Set up- Seams like bobcats like thick stuff but are you setting up in openings or in the thick areas and just preparing for a close shot. (Im in Co. and have been mostly hunting in cedars and ponderosa pine).
3. Are you only setting up in areas where you have previously found bobcat sign? I know they are pretty elusive and I have only found one area with tracks even though i think there is a lot of good habitat.

Any other help would be great.
Thanks,

 

[Overdrive]

I spend more time looking for cat tracks then actually setting up and calling, when I find a track I'll hike it out for a while to see what the cat is doing or where it's headed. This will give me the best chance of calling that cat in as compared to cold call set ups. I've had much better luck with bird distress calls than rabbit distress when targeting bobcat's and my sits are much longer anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 hours and I vary the sound volume and sound time. Bobcat's are methodical when they come in and take their time.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You need to establish an area they are frequenting. Yes they can be elusive but if you spend enough time in their habitat they make themselves known.

Don’t overcall, just like coyotes. Overcalling works if you want to kill one bobcat and get lucky. If you want to regularly kill them be smarter.

They are attracted to movement so if you have a decoy use it but with very minimal sounds being used if any.

Find their travel routes and find their food and water sources. Locate tracks if terrain allows and pay attention to track direction.

You will likely have a cat coming in way before you notice it. They move SLOW for the most part when approaching prey, until the pounce.

 

[justin davis]

I’ve called in a few. I think the biggest factor is being in a spot that has bobcats. Being close and they come right in. I would find tracks or scout for sign

 

[Athens]

Get comfortable. They can take forever to show up. Bird sounds work, and if you're using an electronic call, just let it play without stopping. I've watched cats come in from 500 yards out, and if the call stopped, they stopped.

 

[M44]

Find sign. Stay in the pines and cedars, especially along creeks. If you have turkeys, cats are usually in close proximity.

Rabbit has always been my best sound. Martz cottontail...Foxpro adult cottontail. Call continuously at natural volume. Stay for 10-12 minutes and move 400 yards or the distance you think your call reached. That's usually the distance in cedars. Zig zag through the area picking stands with shooting lanes. A bobcat isn't going to come from huge distances like a coyote. You need to be within 4-500 yards.

Listen for squirrels booger barking. Especially greys. They will almost always signal a cat in the area. You can actually track a cats approach by hearing individual squirrels barking.

When it comes time to shoot, move slow.
You move slow , the cat moves slow. You move fast, the cat moves fast. A handheld thermal is useful in the thick stuff.

Don't worry about the wind unless you want to shoot a coyote. Best conditions are low temps. Little wind. High humidity. A good indicator is when you see housecats out in the fields. A cat is a cat. When the housecats are hunting, so are the bobcats.

 

[BBtiller]

My experience is with Tennessee/Kentucky bobcats.

1. Find sign. A big Tom has a large territory. Just know chasing them can be frustrating. Females linger longer though.

2. Bobcats are visual and auditory hunters. Decoys go a long way. Ignore the wind. Setup is key.

3. Kill spot will allow you to place the call/decoy 50-100 yards from their approach cover and allow you to sit 100+ yards from the brush. You want their approach to make them feel safe and be the thickest brush around. Ideally sun at your back and your in the shade.

4. Anything can happen with predators, but most of the time they will use the brush to get absolutely as close as possible before breaking cover. I have always read they will sit down at the edge of cover and watch, but I only ever see them when they break cover.

5. Get really comfy and don’t ******* move. Think turkey hunting without any blind.

6. Run high pitched busy busy rabbits and bird sounds. Domestic house cat works as well. Don’t turn of the call like you would for coyotes. Run it 45 mins to an hour. Longer if you have patience.

7. I have killed them all times of the day. I will say worst time for me is mid morning. Mid afternoon is good though.

8. Even if you bump one and spook it don’t give up. They aren’t like coyotes, they will come back the next day

I’m no expert. More I could type but this will do. I have also seen them run straight at the call. Good luck!

 

[RyanSeek43]

Super helpful. Anyone have experience with their overlap with coyotes? Like if there is a big pack of coyotes in an area do they tend to stay away or do they overlap pretty well?