Bobcat Daytime E-Calling Tips
- Thread starter SwP
- Start date
Spurchaser
Well-known member
Look for sitting cats more than cats charging in. I swear 90% of the cats I’ve called just appear and they’re sitting just looking the direction of the caller. Not saying the wind doesn’t matter but most I’ve seen over my shoulder behind me. I just got this feeling to scan that direction and I’ve had them within 30yds just staring at me. Now this is all Night time hunting.
A little over a month ago in AZ we called in three cats in a couple days. All daytime calling. Check out my post. It has some general information about sounds and timing of the cats' response to those sounds.
A weekend in Arizona
A couple weeks ago I headed over to Arizona to spend a few days calling with an old friend I met through Predator Masters years ago at one of our Conventions. It was great to catch up and spend some quality time in the desert chasing furry things. We went about this pretty leisurely... On the...
www.predatormasters.com
DoubleLungRage
Well-known member
IMO the most important thing with calling cats is patience. If you are in an area where you know there are cats, sit for 25-30 minutes. From my experience, cats seem to like the softer calls like cagie cottontail, but will also come to louder calls like rabbit stew and bird distresses.
Around here it seems that if I find a place that has an abondance of rabbits (thicker brush, brush piles, briars, etc) it will also have cats. I have also called more cats out of creek bottoms and along beaver ponds.
Place your call in an opening. Just a few weeks ago I didn't see a cat until it was just a foot away from my call. It belly crawled through the tall grass all the way up to the call.
Be still. Again, it usually takes cats a while to come in so if you are moving they will see you.
I have also experienced the same thing that Spurchaser mentioned. They will creep in, get about 50 yards from your call and just sit there on their butts and look around.
Because of their slow movement and great camouflage, if you have a thermal scanner, use it. Even during the day time.
Around here it seems that if I find a place that has an abondance of rabbits (thicker brush, brush piles, briars, etc) it will also have cats. I have also called more cats out of creek bottoms and along beaver ponds.
Place your call in an opening. Just a few weeks ago I didn't see a cat until it was just a foot away from my call. It belly crawled through the tall grass all the way up to the call.
Be still. Again, it usually takes cats a while to come in so if you are moving they will see you.
I have also experienced the same thing that Spurchaser mentioned. They will creep in, get about 50 yards from your call and just sit there on their butts and look around.
Because of their slow movement and great camouflage, if you have a thermal scanner, use it. Even during the day time.
SwP
New member
Great information! Thanks for sharing and taking the time
DoubleLungRage
Well-known member
Any time.Great information! Thanks for sharing and taking the time
Man, I don't know what it is.... (not that I'm complaining) but I am the cat master this year. I wish I called in as many coyotes as I have cats. IMO the #1 reason that I've called in so many is I usually stay on a stand for about 30 minutes v/s most people's 10.
Huachuca Caller
Active member
Target areas with a lot of bobcat sign like fresh scat and tracks. They sometimes will have a toilet area, usually in a sandy place, just like domestic cats use a litter box. if you find one of these and the scat is fresh its usually a good place to call. Here in southern AZ I find a lot of bobcat sign in sandy desert washes.
Most cats I've called have shown up around the 15-20 minute mark.
Most cats I've called have shown up around the 15-20 minute mark.
Spurchaser
Well-known member
Or if you trap a toilet is a HOT spot! I’ve caught 4 cats in one week off a toilet.
DoubleLungRage
Well-known member
From my experience at night they tend to move a little faster, but daylight it usually takes a while.
I have yet to call a cat in during season. I have called them out of season while calling coyotes, so I don't have any personal info myself. But I do remember watching a video where someone said to face the call to where you want the cat to come from. Also said that before they come out in the open, they will sit and observe at the edge of woods or thickets. weeds. He said when they do that, they will show the white of their belly to make it easier to spot them.
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Most of the bobcats that I have called in have shown up in less than 10 minutes. It looks to me like setting up within 500 yards of a bobcat is more important than what sound you use. I have had many bobcats walk right up to my e-caller with the volume on full blast.
I think decoys work better on bobcats than they do on coyotes.
IMG_4811 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
IMG_3858 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
IMG_0174 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
IMG_8397 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
IMG_7048 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on Flickr
I think decoys work better on bobcats than they do on coyotes.
IMG_4811 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on FlickrIMG_3858 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on FlickrIMG_0174 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on FlickrIMG_8397 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on FlickrIMG_7048 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156463377@N08/, on FlickrI'm pretty sure I've seen you post this before, and though I have called in fewer cats than you, I think you're on to something.
Spurchaser
Well-known member
I’ve been amazed at the cats and even coyotes that will run straight to the call in an open field even when there’s nothing resembling the sound they’re hearing except a caller that looks nothing like what’s making the sound.
SwP
New member
Those are some legendary pictures!Most of the bobcats that I have called in have shown up in less than 10 minutes. It looks to me like setting up within 500 yards of a bobcat is more important than what sound you use. I have had many bobcats walk right up to my e-caller with the volume on full blast.
I think decoys work better on bobcats than they do on coyotes.
I have to agree, if you are in the right spot, they come in fast. I’ve only gotten two cats, but I was never out just hunting them, it was always when simply hunting coyotes. First cat I called in came in 20 seconds, the second came in around 2 minutes.
IMO...location and call volume are the 2 most critical variables that will help score more bobcats.
In my experience, bobcats tend to hang out in thick brush. They seem to want to stalk in the brush to get close before they launch their attack. The can burst in blinding speed but only for a short distance when compared to coyotes. So when I am targeting bobcats I close the distance to thick brushy and rocky areas. I have had the most success inside of 300 yards to cover. You still might get foxes and coyotes that show up as a bonus. I set up where I can watch along the brushlines. Many times the bobcats come to the edge and seem to assess the situation.
I have also had more luck using lower volumes on bobcats. Bobcats seem to be more sensitive to call quality and volumes, whereas coyotes seem to come in more frequently when I crank the volume.
Bobcat hunting can be a pretty low percentage success rate mainly due to their lower populations when compared to coyotes so be ready for blank stands if you are specifically targeting bobcats. But it is a great feeling when you do connect.
Good luck and good hunting.
In my experience, bobcats tend to hang out in thick brush. They seem to want to stalk in the brush to get close before they launch their attack. The can burst in blinding speed but only for a short distance when compared to coyotes. So when I am targeting bobcats I close the distance to thick brushy and rocky areas. I have had the most success inside of 300 yards to cover. You still might get foxes and coyotes that show up as a bonus. I set up where I can watch along the brushlines. Many times the bobcats come to the edge and seem to assess the situation.
I have also had more luck using lower volumes on bobcats. Bobcats seem to be more sensitive to call quality and volumes, whereas coyotes seem to come in more frequently when I crank the volume.
Bobcat hunting can be a pretty low percentage success rate mainly due to their lower populations when compared to coyotes so be ready for blank stands if you are specifically targeting bobcats. But it is a great feeling when you do connect.
Good luck and good hunting.
Spurchaser
Well-known member
Here’s another funny…I don’t target cats, but most show up when I’m playing pup distress. I have had a couple come in on a mission with a rabbit distress sound, but for the most part the pup distress sound seems to peak their curiosity.
And Bob knows his bobcats as well as he knows his camera. Great pics Bob!
Thick cover is high on the list for bobcats. They can come in within seconds to ............. ? I've shot more bobcats at this spot over the years than all other stands combined.
We had set up X at a cattle guard watching the two track running north and the east west fenceline on which we were located. Over our right shoulder and out of the picture is a windmill and water hole. Call is located at edge of brushline @ C w/gentle breeze from the NNW. I had just started Nutty Nuthatch @ full volume when a bobcat charged out of the brush from the right (white line) at full throttle, coming to screeching stop in the low grass between the ruts of the two track. He was looking back over his shoulder at the call and decoy. I always sit w/rifle shouldered on the sticks so it was only a slight motion to get on the cat and drop him in his tracks. I dropped rifle from shoulder and was patting myself on the back, when, almost before the echo of the shot had subsided, a coyote ran out at the same spot from which the bobcat had. He was running full bore, and also looking over his shoulder in our direction when he tripped over the bobcat & rolled over to his feet looking back to see what the heck had tripped him and quickly fell beside the bobcat. I've often wondered what had preceded just before their entry in the roadway. It was all over in less than 5 minutes.
IMO, bobcats are not the brightest bulb in the box, but they are stealthy. I was driving a two track that bordered a thicket one morning when a bobcat ran across the road into the brush a quarter mile down the road. Couldn't shoot bobcats in that pasture, but in the interest of science, decided to give it a try.
Pulled off the road a couple hundred yards from where he crossed, the truck only partially behind the available bushes. Cut the engine and stuck my head out the open window and blew a sick cottontail. It couldn't have been 5 minutes the cat reappeared right where he had entered the thicket. Stood a couple of minutes, staring in my direction. He probably took another 10-15 minutes to approach the truck, stopping and sitting several times en-route.
This was taken through my windshield of the cat's last stop about 15 yards from the truck before disappearing from sight, obscured from vision by the hood!
This one came to the call but would not step out of the heavy cover. Finally threaded the 55gr nbt through the brush toward that white chest that often gives them away as they observe the setting.
You can barely see the cat's spotted back right where he fell just behind the large stick lying on the ground.
As others have stated above, just as in coyote hunting, you cannot ever say always or never, but there are some constants that usually hold true when hunting bobcats.