Bobcat Hunting in Massachusetts ?

Snappy

Snappy

Member
Due to a military reassignment I now live in the great gun state of Massachusetts (ha ha). I've always been a big hunter and this time of year it's always time to "hunt the hunters". I went out several times last year, with my .22-250 and Minaska Bandit, on a quest for a bobcat but couldn't find one...not even a track! New England Game and Fish magazine claims there are numerous bobcats in MA. I was hoping someone on the forum here could at least point me in the right direction for a good area of the state to find bobcats and what kind of call works best in New England. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
--Ryan
 
Western end of the State, lots of cats. Handcall.........Verminator "Tweety can't be beat.

Season runs from Dec 20th to March 8th.

Columbia county in NY is close, and has a good supply of cats as well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

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Quote:
Due to a military reassignment I now live in the great gun state of Massachusetts



Ryan.......the Western end of the state is very Pro-hunting, and the predator laws are liberal, allowing centerfires in the daytime. Rimfire or shotgun only at night.

Eastern end of Ma is not so good, as its rimfire and shotgun ONLY. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif

More coyotes than folks believe live here as well....

AR's are fine here, just no flash suppressors. Brakes OK as long as they are pinned and welded.

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Wow! This is great news! Nice pics...you already got a dog this year!
I went bear hunting for a week last Sept (my first month stationed in MA) and camped at Savoy State Forest. Covered just about every tract of pulic land up there looking for bears. Would that area produce bobcats/yotes or should I go further south...south of 90?
Are we ever going to get snow???????
 
Quote:
I went bear hunting for a week last Sept (my first month stationed in MA) and camped at Savoy State Forest. Covered just about every tract of pulic land up there looking for bears. Would that area produce bobcats/yotes or should I go further south...south of 90?
Are we ever going to get snow???????



Unless you are a skier, no need for snow...........just makes hunting harder. The predators are here believe me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Spring bear season is easier.

Savoy is good for preds, shot this big guy about 30 minutes Southwest of Savoy in West Stockbridge.

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Alright, now I'm all fired up to go! I've got all next week off so I hear a 2-day trip west calling my name. Maybe I can find a cheap motel in Pittsburg or Springfield?
Do you have most of your luck at night, morning, evening, daytime? Back in Nebraska, I got almost everything at first light in the am.
 
sleddogg, nice pics. that's one big cat in one of your pictures. just curious, what sound do you use for the cats? i have yet to call one in during the season, i have seen two while turkey hunting, it seems they like the taste of turkeys here in vermont. i try to call them near beaver bogs in the winter, where do you find your cats?
 
Lots of folks insist on bird sounds for Bobcats. I find the rabbit distress works better than anything for these agressive Eastern cats.

Sleddogg's rabbit distress

Also, while I do stay on stand longer when hunting cats, most show well under 10 minutes, and many actually run in like coyotes.

greenmountainboy - lots of theory on killin' cats, but well...........how can I put this.......never mind. Call them in the woods as you would a coyote. Same stands, sounds etc., etc......they will respond if they are in earshot.

The Bobcat is not a cunning animal and easy to call. For many reasons they are the easiest of all New England predators to call. Biggest reason is they don't use the wind to check danger. This makes 'em easy to call in close.

A decoy is a plus, but not needed.

If you call in cat country, just a simple matter of time until he is dead /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Keep after 'em.

Ryan, just a word on coyotes. Leave all Randy's videos in Nebraska. Those tactics won't work here.

Good hunting, Sleddogg /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Sleddogg:
I made it out west bobcat/coyote hunting twice this week. Wednesday to Savoy State Forest and today to Catamount State Forest.
I saw one set of bobcat tracks at each forest but didn't see anything live.
You didn't say killing one would be easy did you??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I thought I'd at least bring in a coyote during a full two-day hunt...but NOTHING! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Time to take a break and watch some football this weekend.
If you have any pointers to share shoot 'em my way.
--Ryan
 


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