Bobcat Calls, Woodpecker Distress ????

Lionhunterco

Lionhunterco

New member
This year I am focusing on Bobcats. I have heard a number of you guys mention "Woodpecker Distress" calls. Do you have any suggestions for one of these calls or any others that are more "Bobcat Specific"

I currently use Sciery calls which have treated me very good when it comes to coyotes but .............time for some cats.

I knpw that cats are suppose to come to the same calls but.... so far no luck.

This is kinda of what I was thinking

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=apc&product=Woodpecker+Distress

Thanks in advance
 
Male Cardinal Distress works good but coyotes like it too.

With Bobcats it is not so much what call you use but where you hunt. Get in the thick stuff where there are a lot of brush piles.
 
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Every year I call in a number of cats on canine pups in distress. They are not the intended target but it has happened to many times to ignor. If cats are the intended target then I usually like bird or high pitch, faster distress calls. If you call open areas focus on the draws or thickest brushy areas you can find.
 
I have to agree with location. Last year I called 18 cats using mostly fawn distress, and all were in or near dense brush country. Get where you think they are and use a sound you are comfortable with. Good luck.
 
I agree that location is far more important than sound type. When calling cats, I use the same calling tactics as with coyotes or fox. I naturally call fast, high pitched and busy. Like others have said, the key is to get into some good 'catty' areas. Thick willow choked creeks, brushy draws, etc... Areas that will hold a good rodent/rabbit/bird population and give a cat a sanctuary of safety.

The woodpecker calls you referenced on APC.com are inexpensive enough to give it a try and would definately add something new to your call arsenal. Just remember, fast, high pitched, busy calling will get a cat excited. Fox and coyotes eat it up, as well.

Tony
 
Location is the key. Sound is important also, but if you are going to target cats I would also use a decoy of some sort. I have used all differant types both homemade and store bought. They ALL work.
Cats tend to come to the edge of cover and hang up/sit down. Make your stand selection accordingly.
Before you start calling take in all your surroundings and comit it to your mind.
As you slowly scan during your stand, all you may see is a piece of something that was not there before. It may turn out to be a cat.........for sure there are some that come hard as any coyote, but they are few and far between.
Hope you do well this season.

PS - cats love lip squeaks.....

edit to say - if you are calling coyotes with your Sceery you are already making the right sound to call cats....

Regards
Kelly
 
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There has been some really good advice given about location. A search here of "bobcat" should turn up all sorts of info. I'll add one thing since you like Sceery calls, get yourself an AP-6 Variable Pitch call from Sceery. This call is so versatile you can make such a variety of sounds with it, that it is a nearly impossible to find a certain type sound that cannot be duplicated with the AP-6. Absolutely my personal favorite, my "go to" call!
 
I have called a lot of cats and most of the time I was calling for yotes.Most of my cats were taken with a jack or cotton tail call.I have tried the bird calls for cats and 99% of the time a yote comes in first and fast,and grey fox seam to like the bird calls as well.Some cats have come in open country but they were very big toms.Most all of the smaller cats were in heavy brush country.
 
You may also want to carry along a crow/raven type call, and make it sound pathetic, dying, and weak if there are ravens seen in the area. These birds love to follow cats, and cats hate them, so it stands to reason they are interested when one of their nemesis dies. This nice cat fell for the dying raven sound.

7_My%20Pictures0003.jpg
 
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I'll add one thing since you like Sceery calls, get yourself an AP-6 Variable Pitch call from Sceery. This call is so versatile you can make such a variety of sounds with it, that it is a nearly impossible to find a certain type sound that cannot be duplicated with the AP-6. Absolutely my personal favorite, my "go to" call!



What he said times two! I am a believer in the AP-6, it has proven itself over and over again.
 
Last year I got serious about decoys and started useing a electronic one by edge. The coyote that came in to it didnt seem real thrilled but died nonetheless. As far as the AP-6, I have been useing mine for about 3 probably 4 years, and it is the first call I reach for.

The area I hunt is somewhat challenging in that there are some "tight areas" to call but theres alot of mixed and transition areas in between deep pines and mixed aspen. The areas I feel would hold cats are the creek bottoms with tall juniper and tight cover. But in the past those areas have all struck out. I seen a cat in september about 4 years ago cross the road and head in to this stuff. There is one ridge that has some rock outcroppings but it too has provided no cats or really any sign for that matter?

Heres some photos:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Cabin092007005.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Cabin092007014.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Cabin092007015.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Cabin092007017.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Cabin092007018.jpg

Thanks for all the good suggestions
 
Your pictures links are beautiful country, and I am sure there are cats in there, but I dont think Ive ever done well in that kind of terrain. For one, it is a bit too thick for bobcats. They tend to like to see further, and seem to rely on visual than nasal. It sure looks like prime country for larger animals.

Of all the pics, the third one down from top looks best to me. More open, flatter, and easy to spot movement for you and the bobcat, who must see his dinner, and stalk it without making noise. However, IF you can find a nice open area in there, and sit somewhere to view it, you may have a real nice chance at calling one into that opening.

But in the thicker forest, just be patient, and I think your idea of bird distress sounds is a good one, as there must be lots of birds using those trees. And realize they are going to have to weave their way thru some tall brush, and get close to you to even be seen, and they typically come slow and cautious. If you can set up where they can stand and see you, and still be 100 yds away, that will be great.

Maybe Im all wrong on advising in your area, but down here, prime cat calling country looks more open, steep, and rocky, with less trees, and flat land with short or grazed grass no higher than a foot or so. Kind of like this. Easily traversed, and full of gophers, birds, and field mice.

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