Bobcat response time - Day vs. Night

smallblockfuelie

smallblockfuelie

New member
Is there typically any difference in the time it takes a bobcat to show up at a stand during the day and at night? I thought bobcats might be a little more comfortable at night and respond faster.
 
i have not called in enough cats to determine this, i do know that 2 of the fastest things i have ever called in at night were cats, one after about 2-3 minutes, the other after maybe, maybe 30 sec. but i don't know if they were just in the immediate area or what...
 
I'd like to hear experienced input on this one too. I've heard that they just "...come right in..." in the dark. I'd like to hear stories.
 
all cats i have called in have been at night and taken 30-45 minutes. i have not been lucky enough to have one right at the stand when i start. i think being in country with less cats plays a role in this too.
 
In my opinion cats usually take longer at night to respond. That's going to be hard one to prove one way or the other, but it didn't cost any money to say it.
 
I think it depends on how close you set up near one. Most of the cats I've seen were taken at night. Some came trotting or running in but most took their time. The majority of the day time cats I've taken just "appeared", didn't see em coming in. I'd say cats are more active and feel more secure at night and probably respond better/faster at night.
 
Thanks. I've only called a few in (that I saw atleast) and was curious. We called one in early Saturday morning that closed from 120 or so yards to 35 or so in just around a minute. As I saw it coming in all out I was thinking that had to be one hungry cat! We also had one that same night that just appeared behind a bush out in front of the truck and only stuck around for a few seconds. The one we called in last February took its time, probably 10 minutes or more to close to within shooting distance.
 
tawnoper, cats are definately more active at night. Cats may also be a little more leery at night because they don't see as well as in the day, therefore they take longer to respond, I don't think anybody knows that for sure.
I know a couple others predator callers that think along the same lines. Interesting concept and it could very well be the case.
You're sure right about most day bobcats, you wonder how they got there without you seeing them.
 
Bobcats are a real booger to figure out. While one cat will come trotting in the first two minutes of the stand at night, the very next will come in after 30 minutes and be very slow. There's no real way to pattern cats at night, but I'll put my money on night calling over day calling every time. Cats are often times very hard to see during daylight hours due to the way they can blend in and move slowly from bush to bush, but if you have one coming in at night you're likely going to see him because his eyes are highly reflective and you're going to seem them from quite a distance. His eyes just can't help but give him away.

Like I said, there's no figuring them out. Cats are....well....cats! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I've had them hang up at 300 yds. and never come any closer and I've had them come within 15 yds. of the truck with no intention of slowing up before I shot them. I've even had them come in and sit down under a bush within 25 yds. of the truck AFTER I had shot a coyote and retrieved it.....not even knowing it was there until all of the talk, laughter, etc. was over and the truck was started up and the light turned back on to drive to the next stand. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

If you are willing to wait long enough at each stand and make enough stands at night, you're no doubt going to be putting your cross-hairs on some spots.

While I don't understand them and can't read their body language like I can a coyote, they are still my absolute favorite animal out there to call in.

Take care and God Bless,

Rusty
 
Rusty hit it on the head. Can't figure them out, but in general they come slower in day than nite. I have had all scenarios take place, including one nite when the cat walked right up to my feet while I was calling leaning up against a tree. I think the 170 burned his hair a little, lol. He kept coming so I just waited to see how close he got, I did not kill him, but shouted in his face. That was 7 years ago and he is still running. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif My partner was off to the side watching and brings up that story nearly every time we hunt together.
 
Thought to have my 2 cents worth I am from South Africa and we call cats here just like you guys in USA. Except we have caracal (lynx) and african wildcat. I have called since 1984 and called a fair amount of cats. At night I tend to use a fawn to squeaky sound and it works great. My response time is, well lets say I call in 10 cats, I will say that 9 of them show up after 45 minutes, maybe 1 will show under 15 minutes.And as usual come in slow and low.I have only called one cat in all my career that ran in to me so fast that I had to shout at it. We call at night as our predators are not seen in daylight hours. Cats are light sensative here and the longer you sit and wait the more you call. Best conditions here are pitch dark skies, before rain or just after. But the darker the better and overcast is also very good.
 
Clint:

You're right, but I still think that each animal has specific tendencies that we make note of when hunting them. Sure, they could do anything, but each animal (coyote, cat, fox, etc.) have certain ways they typically do things. I know there aren't any absolutes when it comes to hunting predators or reading their body language, etc. but you can't deny that each of the species tend to have their own style in how they come in to the call.

Take care and God Bless,

Rusty
 


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