How to Hunt Bobcat

J

JD338

New member
Please help me out here.
I am going to hunt Bobcat in MI UP. I have a Foxpro FP416LR with Bobcat in Heat and several distress calls such as Prairie Dog, Contail #2, Woodpecker, Jack Rabbit, Vole, Chicken, Rodent.
I also have a Predator Supreme Decoy.

I plan on using my M870 12 ga 3" w/ BB or #4 buck with a tight shooting turkey choke.
My set up would be to hunt near kown food sources such as rabbits and deer yards. I would set up on the edge of or in a cedar swamp and place my call/decoy 25 yd away.

Am I on the right track?
Is this the right type of set up?
How long should I call for?
Should I mix distress calls with in heat call?
Better to call in AM, PM, night, mid after noon?

Any comments or suggestions wuld be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

JD338
 
Bobcats are very slow coming to the call in the east. You need to call around rocky bluffs or clearcuts. The cats come in around the edges and very seldom come out in the open. The woodpecker or bluejay in distress works the best in the east. I have called in three in the last four setups in eastern Va. One came to the woodpecker, one came to the bluejay and one to the chicken in distress. I was using the 532 Fox-Pro . You also need to call for up to 1.5 hours before you change calling sites. This info is from my own experence of calling in the east. None of the cats that came in were in shotgun range.
 
All the cats I've called in came in on an edge and sat there and watched. I killed a big tom that came into howls and ran a short distance when I went to coyote distress. After that then he snuck up to a brush pile and just looked around for 10 minutes before I shot him. Don't worry about the wind as much on cats as you do on coyotes. A decoy is an excellent addtion for cats as well as coyotes.
 
JD338, take a look around the swamps for rabbit sign. If you find rabbit sign, odds are the bobcats will be there. Rabbit and bird sounds will work well. If you are strictly after 'cats, you don't necessarily have to be near a deer yard. Plan to spend some time on each stand, just as the others have said. MI VHNTR
 
I play continous and will stop for a couple of min before switching to a different sound. Bobcats will stop when you stop calling and will keep coming as long as they hear the sound. I call at about the level of sound the animal or bird in distress would be making .
 
MI VHNTR,

I am heading up to Isphuming area to my buddy's camp. Lots of rabbits but most likely the deer are yarded up miles away. Lots of cat sign last year.

I will plan on 2 hrs per set.
What is the best time to hunt cats, morning, afternoon, night w/ red light?

I was going to use my 870 3" Mag with BB or #4 Buck. I am using a Pure Gold Turkey choke that shoots a very tight pattern. Or should I use a Modified choke?

Where are you located in the UP? I hunted North of Rapid River for 20 yrs and my wife is from Moran?

Regards,

JD338
 
JD338, you are right about the deer being in the yards. They headed that way in early December. I've noticed that the rabbit sign tends to be very spotty here. I'd allow about an hour or so per set, unless you feel that an area might produce results. I don't do much night hunting, so I can't tell you too much about it. I like to hunt an overcast day and start out early in the morning and generally hunt most of the day.

Since you'll be hunting heavier cover, you might want a modified choke. The reason being that the 'cats would be closer and a tight pattern from a 12 guage would really mess up the pelt. I'd bring all of your choke tubes though, since conditions can change. I use rifles only.

I know where Rapid River and Moran are located. I'm located near Ishpeming. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif MI VHNTR
 
MI VHNTR,

Thanks for your reply.
That the same area we will be hunting. My buddys camp is right on Perch Lake. We are big Congress Pizza fans.

If I may ask a couple more questions.
I have a M700 VLS 22-250, shooting Nosler 50 gr BT's and a M541 22LR. I can set up in a marsh between thickets.
Whats the best approach. In the thick spruce or in the marsh between thickets?

What do you feel is the best time of day to be calling?

Thank you for your help.
It is greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

JD338
 
JD338, I head past Perch Lake to predator hunt sometimes. I prefer to get to a setup spot while trying to attract as little attention as possible. If you can work your way through the spruce without making too much noise, I'd go that way. This should put you out of sight of any animals that may be in the area. BTW, I'd skip the 22 LR. Use a 22 Mag if you have to use the rimfire. The VLS will most definately drop a 'cat, or anything else that might respond to your call. Also, be aware that there are wolves in that area too. The best times to call are generally the first few hours of daylight and the last couple hours in the afternoon. We are supposed to get a cold snap next week around Wednesday. This should put them on the move. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Glad to help! MI VHNTR

Edited to add the following: JD338, if you want/need more info, my email address is listed under my profile.
 
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