Bobcat Questions??

[Texforce]

When would you guys say, typically, is the bobcat mating season??
If it matters, I am located in Central North Texas. Also, when a momma bobcat dens up to have/raise her kittens - does she dig a hole and go underground, or just hunker up in some thick brush for her "den"? Just a couple things I was curious about. I appreciate any info. Thanks, and Good Huntin'

 

[Infidel 762]

Bobcats don't come into estrus at a precise time of year like coyotes, they also do not remain monogamous to a single mate like coyotes do. They typically breed anywhere from late winter to early summer. Bobcats do not dig, they find am old den from a previous animal, or crevices in rocks or hollowed out logs.

 

[Switch]

What Infidel said:

Usually, hunting seasons are established around breeding seasons of animals, so hunters are not pressuring critters when they are pregnant or caring for their young. However, bobcats can breed almost anytime of year out here in CA. I remember I took my daughter out calling in late November, six weeks after the season started. We called in a baby bobcat smaller than a shoe. He sat there looking at us for a few minutes and then disappeared.

Rocky dens are preferred or dens already established.

 

[SnowmanMo]

I was told by a game and fish biologist that breeding and litter size depends on the amount of calories that the female is taking in. More food, more calories, more energy for breeding and bigger litters. Hence the reason that I will shoot every coyote I see in a bobcat area. That usually results in more cats in the next couple of seasons.

Bobcats will be found just about anywhere that coyotes will be found. Focus on brushy areas, and rocky areas to find them. I have found that they seem to be a bit more sensitive to volume than coyotes but will come to the same calls. They are just harder to find because of their population numbers.