Calling Summer Bobcats

J

Joel Hughes

New member
A rancher called and is having some trouble with bobcats killing sheep. He's lost 15 in the past month. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif We are not 100% certain that it is bobcat, as the buzzards do their job before he gets opportunity to take a good look at them. However, his ranch is not in heavy coyote country; therefore, we are assuming bobcats....It's probably a good bet.

We've been out to do some night hunting, trying to remedy some of his problems. I've done the ole rabbit distress thing. Even tried some kitten distress to change it up a little. Have had no luck whatsoever. (I do not have any sort of lamb distress sounds.)

Anybody have experience with this? Any tips on what sounds to use during these HOT HOT summer nights here in West Texas for bobcats?

Joel
 
Why would he have a better chance of seeing them during the day when it's hot and most of the animals are bedded down? Don't take that question the wrong way at all.....I'm genuinely curious. I just think that just about all animals (predator and prey) would tend to move more during the night-time when the temps. drop a little bit, and even then they wouldn't be as likely to move as much as they do in the winter due to the fact that the predators have a wide variety of food choices which are plentiful, plus they don't hunt as much since they don't burn as many calories trying to stay warm as they do in the winter and therefore don't need to consume as much.

Most of the guys out here have had great success calling cats at night with the aid of a spotlight and high chair. I've personally had some luck with calling cats during daylight hours when the weather is cooler, I just didn't know of it being done in the daylight hours during the hot summer months. Dawn and dusk would be more understandable.

Just my thoughts....

Rusty Holt
 
You really need to find some tracks or some kind of sign. It could still be a coyote. A rancher in WY told me of a female cat that killed lambs. The county coyote guy found her den, with the lambs outside of it. It is the only time I have heard of a bobcat being much of a problem. I think the lambs were small. She must of went nuts, they couldn't eat that many.
One of the best ways to tell what is killing them is to be there soon enough to see where the wounds are. Coyotes grab them by the throat and suffocate them. I am not positive how a cat would do it. I would guess the damage would be different. You can always try to call coyotes, stay for an hour, and see if a cat shows up. T.20
 
Cats tend to bite the back of the neck and there is occassionally claw marks on the backs of the prey animal. The bad part about this time of year is that the animals decompose very quickly in the heat and the buzzards will have the sheep picked clean before anyone finds them. Bobcats are notorious sheep killers in this part of the state....they also kill quite a few deer.

It could be anything...coyotes, red fox, bobcats or even eagles. You're right, though....it would be best to find a fresh kill, but that's easier said than done on some of these large sheep ranches that are 20,000 acres or even larger.

Maybe this cooler weather from the remnants of the hurricane that passed south of here yesterday will have some animals moving a little more.

Take it easy,

Rusty
 
Joel are you sure they didn`t die from stomach worms. If you have called and didn`t see any eyes or other evidence I doubt you have a cat problem. Almost without fail if cats start killing sheep, especially that many, they are very thick. If you guys have had as much rain as we have here in coke co. I would bet on worm problems. Just an old sheep mans opinion. If it is cats try burnham bros cottontail duet. And by the way Calypso they are much easier to see at night. Those two big old moon eyes are unmistakable and they can`t hide them.
 
Yes, they are easier to see at night if you are rigged out for it. It sounded to me like he wasn't. I have no problem calling cats in the summer during the day. They are curious and will come if close. I would also agree that dawn and dusk are the best times.....obviously...which is part of daytime calling. I just thought he might have better luck right now doing it that way with what he has availble and not spending any more money or waiting for items to get there. I don't disagree with y'all about night calling. It is great and the eyes do POP out at you!! I was addressing his current need with another approach for him to try.

Good Hunting,

Bob
 
I will humbly admit I am far from being an expert to night hunting. I'm hoping this little extension to my truck makes things slightly easier, and 'rigged out' for it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

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Thanks for the tips guys. Cat whacker, I will explore the possibilities of stomach worms. I'll check with the rancher to see if he's had any sort of experience with that. I am no "sheep man" by any means. But I love killing the predators who prey upon them, that's for sure. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I have just never had much luck in this heat.

Went out again last night. Again, no luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif I sware though, I have never seen so many jackrabbits!!! I did one stand just before dark. Movement was everywhere, making me want to pull up my scope to take a gander, each time to find a stupid rabbit (seriously, about 20 within eyesight at that one 30-45 minute stand). That can't make it easier on a guy blowing a distress call. I jokingly told my calling partner last night...all they gotta do is run through the pasture with their mouth open!

Anyways, thanks for the tips fellas. I guess more experience is how to get better, no matter what time of year. I'll pick up some new sounds as well.

God bless,

Joel
 
Well......so much for not being rigged out!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I would definately keep the night calling up! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bob
 
Say Bob I wish I had my litle Toyota rigged out that well. When are you coming back to Coke co. to call again. If you do and Kill some cats I would apreciate a holler. I need a carcass to make some trap bait out of. With that many rabbits around I would allmost bet its stomach worms, When I was in the animal health business and we had a spring like this sheep would die like crazy. Especially in the area around Rannkin, McCamey and out towards Sanderson. Joel you might also check and see if he used a dewormer that kills tape worms, That was what usualy was the culprit. You wouldn`t think they would be a problem out in that part of the world since they spend part of their life cycle in a snail. As hot and dry as it gets out there you would think any snails would be mumified. Plenty of cats out there too though. Is he losing lambs or full grown ewes. Cats will usually drag them under a bush and scratch a little dirt and trash over them. Good luck.
 
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