Bobcat live trapping

Smokeless

Smokeless

New member
I hope some of you will help me get started right with bobacat traps. Colorado makes you live trap, so what are the good traps and bait to use? Thanks in advance.
 
we have the cluster pack from him, works nice because you can put them inside each other,
might not be that big of deal depending on how much trapping your planning on doing.
 
Check out cagingbobcats.com and schroeder fur company. Schroeder doesnt have a web site but they make cat cages also. I have cages from all three and all are well made.
 
I would get ahold of Mercer Lawing, cagingbobcats@gmail.com or Jeff Yancey. Both have alot of experience caging bobcats and make cages.
 
When the National Trappers Association Rendezvous was in Columbia, Missouri in 2004. I talked to the owner of Shroeder Cage traps. He talked me into buying one along with the dvd he had at the time. These traps are awesome. I have caught several cats in the along with coons, foxes, and the ocasional oppossum. What I do first is cover the traps with tie wire. I then cut cedar limbs and weave in and out of the tie wire until I can no longer see into the cage trap. When I find a location where I want to set the trap I clear the ground of sticks, rocks, leaves, etc. and try to make it as level as possible. Then I set the trap how I want it, and secure it to the ground by driving 4 stakes from the sides downward into the bottom. Next I use dirt and leaves to cover the botttom of the trap so the furbearer can't feel the wire mesh and become wary. Now as far as bait, I have found the best thing to use is unused carcasses of legally taken game such as big game, cottontails, duck, pheasant, quail etc. *****But make sure to read your states regualtions because some states prohibit the use of wild game as bait.***** If your state does not allow the use of wild game, then I recommend frozen chicken legs. I prefer a bait with a bone in it because I wire my bait to the back of the cage and a bone helps hold it in place while the furbearer tries to remove it. Now for the hard part
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..... trying to get the furbearer to come to the trap and get caught. I use some sort of eye appeal. Sometimes I hang a feather from a string above the cage. I have also used fish trolling flashers as well. This catches the furbearer's eye and hopefully gets him interested. I also use premium urines such as cat and fox urines along with some type of lure. My go to lure for cats is Milligan brand Cat-Man-Do II. There are hundreds of different lures out there some work better than others but for the most part it comes down to personal preference. I will take a spray bottle of urine and spray around the trap. Then I take a small stick and dip it into the lure and toss the stick half way into the trap. Although not as important with cats, scent control is crucial when trapping. Always use gloves. I use one pair for handling my traps and a second pair for handling bait, lure, and urine. If i have to kneel I will use a trash bag to kneel on. Try not to spit around you sets or releave yourself near your sets. Of course there are several methods and techniques to using cages this is the method that I am successful with. I hope I have been of some help and good luck!
 
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Smokeless- I have inventory of my bobcat cage traps in the Grand Jct. area. Call Otis- 970-812-7473.

Thin air- what works for you is really what matters but I would sure avoid any misting of urine outside my set or anythging else that will misguide the cat. Put the cat pee inside the cage with a healthy dose of curiosity lure and a food base lure. Don't through the stick inside as it (the lure odor) will eventually get on the door (a result of catching an animal inside the cage). This missplaced lure odor will satisfy the cats curiosity at the front of the cage and then there will be one less reason for him to go in. IE: The odor on the door is the same as whats inside the cage.

ML
 
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Good point Mercer. My thinking was to use the lure and urine just to get the cat to the cage and hope he's hungry and looks in on what seems to be an easy meal on the back of the cage. I definitely don't want the odors on a light triggered door or a critter sniffing a "smelly" door might cause the door to accidently close before enetering the cage. Any recommendations on how or where to add the lure inside the cage?
 
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Howler- I have been working with trail cameras pretty extensively the past few years and have hours of footage of cats working the cage set. What I have learned is that their nose is the single most important aspect. A nice bait hanging helps but the combination of a food lure or "paste bait" and curiosity lure is what catches them. A nice pile of features, pillow stuffing and "duff" or grass in the back of the cage, cat pee and the lures mentioned works as good or better than anything. If you have 3-4 reasons for the cat to enter you will catch more cats and have fewer refusals.
Concentrate all your efforts on getting the cat into the cage not hanging around the outside with call lures above the set, pee or anything else outside. If you are on the trail the bobcat will come visit the strange rectangular dark hole everytime from many feet without any type of flag or such. If you set the cage with the prevailing wind in your favor (blowing from the rear of the cage out the front) you will have better luck .

I place my lure in a small depression under the rear of the cage just past the pan. If you don't like that then place it on backing adjacent to the cage towards the rear before putting the cage into the cubby.

Lots of ways and opinions but that is what works for me.

ML
 
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You boys may laugh at me, but around here we make a small cage, put a small rooster in it, (a live rooster, one that crows alot!) We wire that cage to the back of the trap. The cat will try to get to him from the outside first, and when he cant, it will go into the trap, thinking that he can get the rooster. Works great for us!
 
Not laughing here. It works.

Just not the kind of thing we want (I) folks to see out here. Heck we already lost our foot holds. Next they will cut off our arms.

ML
 
I know a couple fellas in Kansas who use roosters and are very successful. I would try them but I dont have a place to keep a couple roosters when they aren't being used as bait.
 
I have both of Mercers DVD's and one from Tracy Truman and jeff yancy. I found that the one Mercer made has way more info and was of way better quality. Mercer makes the best guillotine style door cage with pan tention. I have a set of swing down door cages that I plan on using in spots where there is alot of trafic and I want them out of site.
This is what im running
TrappingTruck.jpg
 
I have 11 of Mercers cages. 9 guillotine and 2 of the garage door type. They are well made and Mercer's videos on caging and his fur put up video are top notch! This will be my first year trying the cages. I have spoke with Mercer on the phone on a few occasions and he is a wealth of information on anything bobcat.
 
Mercer you have given me some advice in the past I appreciate your help. Where can I get the stretchers for the furs that you are using. I live in AZ. Thanks
 
Sorry Mercer, didnt realize that was one of those untalked about type of things. I didnt figure it was a big deal because the rooster is perfectly safe from the cat, but i can see where some would frown apon it.
 
Lackey- just thinking like a Californicated trapper. Lots of stuff different here than anywhere else.

Otis Latham makes a great stretcher. His "small" is a good size for most Cali. and AZ cats. I have several of the large and a bunch of the smalls. Many of them sanded on here and there to fit the different oddball cats you may come across.

Goal for this year- Catch a coyote in a cage trap on trail cam.

Couple of videos.

ML




 


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