Originally Posted By: getfoxyI love it when I hear cats aren't tough to take down. Truth is they are gritty little SOBS. Any center fire is up the task but don't underestimate how tough they can be with a marginal hit...Just my .02 worth.
I'd absolutely agree that bobcats (and coyotes alike) are gritty animals when it comes to hanging onto life. BUT...
Marginal hits are marginal hits. Shoot a packrat in the foot with a .50BMG and it won't likely kill it.
I'd tend to agree, not keeping pelts on bobcats is a head-scratcher for me. Too much money wrapped up in bobcat pelts to not tag and sell them.
I generally don't go "cat hunting", but rather have cats show up while I'm calling coyotes, so I end up using my .223rem, but if I'm calling a spot that I DO know has cats, I take my .17HMR or .22WMR. I try my best to preserve the pelts if I can.
Hit a bobcat in the vitals with a .17hmr and he's going down d@mn fast, let alone a .17Rem or .204R. Hit him in the gut with a .30-06 and he's likely going to run on you. Marginal is marginal, and enough power is enough power.
I guess I've never been the type to use excessive energy to make up for shoddy marksmanship.