MN bobcats

[mnblaster]

I just returned from a grouse hunting trip on the Gunflint Trail in northern MN. There was enough fresh snow to see tracks from anything that was moving through the woods. I saw timber wolf track and moose tracks (no fresh deer tracks in two days of trail walking) but what was interesting was the cat tracks. We saw two different sets of tracks miles apart. Where would the best huntable population concentration be? What time of the year would be considered best for calling?

 

[flyinlizard1]

Call in the location that you find sign,and the fur gets better after winter sets in. Be aware that wolves many also respond to calls.

 

[DTOM]

Here in MN we have a very limited season so you have to call when you can. I prefer river drainages or clearcuts in deep woods. Look for concentrations of prey species and start your hunt there. You can call on tracks if they are very fresh but cats can move great distances without stopping for long. On the other hand they can stay put for long times esp. if they have a food source nearby. Stay on stand as long as you can and keep a good eye out for any movement. I often only see an ear twitch. The are VERY slow to approach and often hang up and just watch. The best luck I've had is with e-calls mixed with hand calls. I'll run the E-call with a bird in ditress and then really lay inflection into the hand calls every 10 minutes or so. I've also used the various bobcat sounds available but have had better luck with distress. I don't think they are very hungry but more curious to see what's making the sound.

Calling cats is even more of a numbers game then coyotes so you have to put your time in to get a shot at one.

I won't point out areas with lots of cats on a public forum to keep from pointing 100's of lurkers into someones or my own backyard. You can learn a lot about cats by talking with houndsmen and trapper also.

Good luck.

Tim