We arrived late in the afternoon on the 13th, threw our stuff in the house and went for a ride to check out the area. Plenty of snow would keep us from getting very far off the county road but we found a spot worth a try for a quick stand. We punched holes in the crusted snow up over a ridge and found a spot above a creek open enough to give us some shooting lanes through the brush and pines.
We were just going to make a quick stand so TR didn't bring the video camera. Colton and I sat next to some cover and TR went to our left after putting the call down by the edge of the creek. I don't think the call had been running for more than a minute or two when I saw movement through the brush to our right. Something was coming fast and I whispered to Colton to be ready. The critter would stop and look around then move toward the sound. I really couldn't tell what we had coming until it stopped with it's head exposed, BOBCAT I whispered to Colton. It was looking right at us but we kept still and it moved again and stopped in an small opening. I told Colton if he had a shot to put it right in the chest. He didn't hesitate and the cat dropped at the shot. It disappeared and I watched for movement. After a while we started the celebration. If it wasn't for the rifles and deep snow I would have jumped on him for a hug. I was excited. Colton didn't say much but had a grin on his face I would have paid money to see. We got up and I left my rifle on the sticks for a marker. TR showed up and we went for a look. 55 yards later we found this beautiful female.
I was a little worried when we walked up because of the size of the feet and head. I was sure it was a bobcat when she was coming in but this is an area that could produce a Lynx. They were introduced a few years back. After checking her out we decided she was all bobcat and perfect for a kid's first. If you look straight uphill from the cats head you can see an alley and our tracks to a big cedar tree where we were sitting. Colton was shooting a CZ 527, in 223 and the shot was perfect (55yds) with no exit, we had a hard time finding the entry.
I am extremely proud of this kid and his skills and he will just get better. I hope I'm around a long time to see him grow into a predator hunter. I'm a little jealous, I've never taken a bobcat. Maybe Colton will be with me on my first.
We hunted the next day and couldn't find a coyote. Had some howl in response to our calling, but from long distance. We tried to close the distance but no takers.
I guess we could have been disappointed but after the first set we made on "Lucky Friday The 13th" it didn't matter.
Thanks for looking, sorry if I got a little long winded.
