Any Kitty Trappers Here On The Buckbarn [Archive]

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Gr8ful Deer

01-05-2009, 11:41 PM

I have read plenty of reports of guys pursuing canines, coons and rats with traps, but are any of you guys setting steel for bobcats in PA?:huh:

If so, I thought you might find the following pictures interesting.

The photos are of the den of a HUGE tom bobcat that I stalked up to within 20 yards while deer hunting last Friday in the Tiadaghton State Forest in central PA. It was the biggest bobcat I have ever seen in my life, and I am lucky enough to see a few of them every year. :eek:

I am guessing this was the same cat whose paw prints EastCoastHunter and I saw on a few deadfalls and downed trees he had tightroped on top of a 2,000 foot elevation approxiamtely a mile away. His prints were easily twice the size of a silver dollar. :eek:

Unfortunately, he spotted me as I was trying to remove my backpack to get to my digicam out; he dashed into his lair before I could get his photo. I took a couple of shots of his den, but admittedly, I was a bit nervous about getting too close to the opening after seeing just how big this sucker is. :naughty:

I tried to get shots that showed the heavy trail that he had leading in and out of his home, but I suspect they may be a bit tough to see in the reduced file sizes. :confused:

Enjoy!

- Gr8ful

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/PADeerHuntingDec2008003-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/PADeerHuntingDec2008002-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/PADeerHuntingDec2008001-1.jpg

jswany04

01-06-2009, 12:09 AM

thats aweome

BarnesX.308

01-06-2009, 01:27 PM

I don't do any trapping but we have a neighbor upstate that does. He's got a few bobcats since it's been legal. A couple in traps and one or two hunting.

I see a few while out in the woods where we hunt. The best was when my boy (5 at the time) saw one with me at about 20 yards. I don't know if he appreciates how cool that was. He still talks about it so it left some kind of impression.

I'm still working on my first coyote. :huh:

ACEarcher

01-06-2009, 01:32 PM

I applied for a bobcat tag one time. Didn't get it.

Just make sure you don't put a trap within 5 ft of that den.

Gr8ful Deer

01-06-2009, 03:30 PM

I applied for a bobcat tag one time. Didn't get it.

Just make sure you don't put a trap within 5 ft of that den.

I personally haven't trapped since I was kid in high school; back then, we only set for rats, coon, fox, mink, weasels and skunks. Bobcats were not allowed back then, coyotes were a rarity, and I never wanted to set for beaver ... at least not the kind that lives in the water and cuts down trees. ;)

However, I guarantee you could easily set a trap 5'1" from that den and pretty much guarantee a catch within the first day or two. He had it tracked down in 2 very distinct funnels leading right to his den.

I enjoy seeing "bobbies" in the woods; I simply thought some others on here may find the pics interesting. I wish I could have caught a photo of the cat himself, because he truly is a monster! :eek:

- Gr8ful

Makoman

01-06-2009, 04:14 PM

Great story. Bobcats in our area of 2G are increasing rapidly. I know 2 trappers in the area who have caught multiple bobcats this year but neither has a permit. Last summer, one ran through our yard and several have been hit on the local roads. The trappers tell me that, compared to coyotes, the cats are easy to trap. The ones that they have caught were all on coyote sets.

Gr8ful Deer

01-06-2009, 06:36 PM

Here are a pair of yotes from Pike County, PA that have dined on their last grouse, turkey and venison dinners. ;):bow::bow:

They were killed by a buddy of mine ~1 hour apart from the same stand location; both were healthy, adult females. :thup:

- Gr8ful

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/Gr8ful_Fish/2DeadYotes11-24-08.jpg

onthehunt

01-06-2009, 08:02 PM

Tell your buddy, great job:bow::bow:! May his next hunt be blessed with a trophy whitetail. I am not a big fan of the yotes in NJ either.

ACEarcher

01-06-2009, 08:22 PM

nice!! yotes! I got a few good spots in Pike for yote. I've got a friend of a friend. He's gotten several bobcat permits and is always successful. One time he went to check his line and found two bobcat. They had to keep running back and fourth to see which one was the bigger of the two.
But man if you catch one by accident LOL. They are pissed off lil kittys!! You've gotta be very careful on how to release them.

I guarantee you could easily set a trap 5'1" from that den

You read my mind;)

I learned how to trap on coyotes. Let me tell you get used to disapointment. They are tough.

bigolebuck

01-15-2009, 04:21 PM

I applied for a bobcat tag one time. Didn't get it.

Just make sure you don't put a trap within 5 ft of that den.

What did you say ACE, make sure you put a 330 at the opening of the den!!!!! J/K
LoL.... I wish we had more cats here and the season was legal. Shoot wish we could use leg holds. Oh well maybe oneday!

The Wadd

01-15-2009, 05:17 PM