SmallCaliberCentral

All experienced replies are Welcome.

I'm headed out for a Bobcat next month. My 1st trip after them. I have a 39gr BK load & a 40gr Berger load plus the 221 with the 50gr BK for the areas where it will be under 100yds. I really want to save the fur as much as possible for a mount or a rug. Any past Bobcat experiences to share using either of the above mentioned 204rds?? The 221 will most likely be my backup unless I know it'll be under 100yds.

Thanks!!

Glen,

I am by no means an expert on cats, but I can tell what I do. Until recently I would just go out and do my normal stand using mainly coyote sounds. But as of late I have decided to make the stand more appetizing for bobcats and fox as well. One thing to remember about cats is they seem to come better to a softer and more repetitive sound. That is why I use the Foxpro. That way I can let the call run continously on low volume and wait him out. I also mainly use bird distress sounds as well. Coyotes like birds too, but cats really like them. I run a 10, 10, and 10 minute stand using three different dird sounds. Lucky Bird, Northern Flicker, and Young Blue Jay. After the 30 minute mark if a cat has not shown, I will lower the volume even more, and go back to Lucky Bird for another 10 minutes. Usually if a cat has not come by then I will go to my next stand. The cat I got Sunday came in at the 35 minute mark. You have to make yourself set there and be patient for a cat, they are very cautious and wary. That is just what I do, hope this gives you some ideas.

Good Luck.

Lee

Thanks Lee!! I have the FX3 programmed & I'm ready to roll with that. I have cardinal,bluejay,luckybird,chicken distress, & a sound that a custom call builder sent me. Plus the other meat eater sounds.

Your set dude. I think we will be seeing you with a cat in the near future.

Pack some binoculars with you, cats can sit on the edge of cover and just watch and watch and you never know its there. I would set the Foxpro a little ways away from you so you don't focus the cat's attention on you, I called in a cat with some hand calls right after Christmas and it busted me because of my movement calling, but luckily my dad was above it and able to get a shot. You can use a Turkey feather or something tied to and arrow and shove it in the ground for a decoy. Statelinerut nailed alot of it.

I'm hoping all goes well & I at least see one!! I have a pair of compact binos I'm going to take. They are good quality. I'll be getting some feathers for a decoy too. Thanks!!

Glen..
Here is my experience with cats...
This may vary a bit as our locals are different...

Our cats come in quick like a fox (under 4 minutes) or slowish (12-16 minutes). If they are not in by the 20-22 minute mark then move on. The folks that say a cat takes 30-40 minutes to come on either has not seen them yet or is set up way wrong.

Wind is not a big factor when calling cats at all, disregard it. You need a field of view that you can not only see above your surroundings but where you can also see the whole cat. This is very important. A good rule of thumb is to set up so when a cat comes in you have the elevation to see from the top of his bottom to his feet. If this means setting on a stol then do it. You need horizontal visibility as well as vertical.

A decoy is a huge deal when calling cats. You handicap yourself if you do not use one. Obviously they can be called without one but it will aid in the response time, commitment by them, and your ability to get a good clean shot.

As far as sounds go any high pitch will work. Electronic call is also recommended as you need to get the sound away from you as it is likely they'll look at the point of sound before you see them. If you're blowing on a mouth call this may mean trouble.

Don't be afraid to switch sounds after the 8-10 minute mark if nothing shows. This happened to us this past weekend. Woodpecker to cottontail juvenile and that's what it took. Call pretty continuously for cats as they can get bored. We've switched sounds 3-4 times dependent on the situation...

Target thick bottoms when calling...

Trying to think if I've left out anything...
That's all that comes to mind Glenn...

Cats can be tough but just put the bullet in the right spot and you'll be golden.

Edited to add that I didn't read any one else's post but there are good suggestions there.

Good luck Glen!

Thanks a bunch GM!! All the info is certainly appreciated!! If I get lucky you'll all know it!!

Glen,
While only bagging one bobcat in my life, I'm far from an expert...but I'll say something anyway. The previous advice is all good. G had a good point that cats can come in fast, but most guys I talk to say to stay on the stand at least 45 minutes. It seems to me that where coyotes run to the call, the cats walk to it. This isn't always true, but seems to be the norm. I back-tracked the cat I got last year in the snow, to see how she came to the call. She walked very patiently towards me till she was directly behind me at 20 yards. The she started to slowly walk away. It wasn't till she was behind me at about 50-60 yards that I saw and shot. I was calling for nearly an hour.
Also that was at dusk. The only bobcats I've seen are out at dawn or dusk, so that is usually when I decide to stay at the stands a little longer.
We will of coarse need a full report on how you do!
Oh, and as far as pills, I used 40 grain vmax, and shot a little low almost blowing off a whole leg. Cats aren't to big. I would use whatever will have the most moderate expansion.

I think the cats come in quick if you set up close to them. Find there tracks they like to come off a trail and crap on the edge of a road in the same spot repeatedly. I keep my call at my side because they will come out at a distance and stare at you twice when I set my call at a distance they came out of the brush with in feet of me when I saw them they did not run but just turned and walked back into the bushes. They where looking at the call though and weren't that concerned with me. When I have missed shots the bob cat always walked a few feet then stopped to look at me again before disappearing. Find there signs then try and set up in an area where you can watch the trail that they use come into the open. If you pick a large area then you have to scan a large area. Pick an area where you look out like a funnel or a strip that forces them straight out from you. Good luck its some luck and some skill. Its Hunting.

I'd say half our cats come within 10 minutes and most of the time they are agressive...

I'm really ready now!! Let em come!! I'll have a healthy dose of lead & copper for em!!

Glenn,

Remember in this order: Set up with good visibility, use a decoy, and change sounds if you have to...

Good luck...

I'm right there with you Gmoney!! I'll be picking up a decoy in the next couple weeks.

Glen,

If you want a simple, cheap, lightweight decoy just get an arrow shaft, a swivel and some fishing line.

Tie a turkey feather (chicked, etc.) to the line and swivel it to the top of the arrow shaft. Rig the feather so it will twitch in the slightest wind. When you stick the arrow shaft into the ground do it at an angle to the turkey feather is dangling in midair so that any inkling of wind will twitch it.