C-35

BOBCATS

Dallas Virchow

Extension Assistant-Wildlife

Damage Control

Department of Forestry, Fisheries

and Wildlife

University of Nebraska

Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361

Denny Hogeland

District Director

Nebraska Fur Harvesters

Bridgeport, Nebraska 69336

Fig. 1. Bobcat, Lynx rufus

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994

Coop erat ive Extension Division

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Animal Damage Control

Great Plains Agricultural Council

Wildlife Committee

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Fence poultry and other small

livestock located near human

residence.

Cultural Methods

Clear brush and timber in and around

farmsteads and between large

expanses of bobcat habitat and

farmsteads.

Frightening

Place flashing white lights, loud music,

or dogs with livestock.

Repellents

None are registered.

Fumigants

None are registered.

Toxicants

None are registered.

Trapping

Fur trappers may be willing to trap

and remove bobcats year-round in

problem situations in exchange for

trapping rights when pelts are

prime.

Steel leghold traps (No. 2, preferably

No. 3 offset or No. 4 offset or

padded).

Cage traps, 15 x 15 x 40 inches (38 x 38

x 100 cm) up to 24 x 24 x 48 inches

(60 x 60 x 120 cm).

Large body-gripping traps (Victor®

No. 330 Conibear®) in “cubby” sets.

Kill snares (1/16- or 5/64-inch steel

[0.15- or 0.2-cm] cable, 6 to 8 feet

[1.9 to 2.5 m] long).

Live snares (3/32-inch [0.25-cm] steel

cable, 6 to 8 feet [1.9 to 2.6 m] long)

with protective clothing and

equipment.

Shooting

Predator calls, experienced trail

hounds, and centerfire rifles.

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Identification

The bobcat (Lynx rufus), alias “wild-

cat,” is a medium-sized member of the

North American cat family. It can be

distinguished at a distance by its

graceful catlike movements, short (4-

to 6-inches [10- to 15-cm]) “bobbed”

tail, and round face and pointed ears

(Fig. 1). Visible at close distances are

black hair at the tip of the tail and

prominent white dots on the upper

side of the ears.

Body hair color varies, but the animal’s

sides and flanks are usually brownish

black or reddish brown with either

distinct or faint black spots. The back

is commonly brownish yellow with a

dark line down the middle. The chest

and outside of the legs are covered

with brownish to light gray fur with

black spots or bars. Bobcats living at

high elevations and in northern states

and Canada have relatively long hair.

In southern states, bobcats may have a

yellowish or reddish cast on their

backs and necks.

Similar Species. The bobcat is two to

three times the size of the domestic cat

and appears more muscular and fuller

in the body. Also, the bobcat’s hind

legs are proportionately longer to its

front legs than those of the domestic

cat.

The Canada lynx appears more slen-

der and has proportionately larger feet

than the bobcat. At close distances, the

ear tufts of the lynx can be seen. The

tail of the lynx appears shorter than

the bobcat’s and its tip looks like it was

dipped in black paint. The bobcat’s tail

is whitish below the tip . Lynx com-

monly occur in Canada’s c oniferous

forests and, rarely, in the Rocky Moun-

tains. Where both species occur, lynx

occupy the more densely forested

habitats with heavy snow cover.

Male bobcats tend to be larger than

females. Adult males range from 32 to

40 inches (80 to 102 cm) long and

weigh from 14 to 40 pounds (6 to 18

kg) or more. Bobcats in Wyoming

average between 20 and 30 pounds (9

and 14 kg). Nationwide, adult females

range from 28 to 32 inches (71 to 81

cm) long and weigh from 9 to 33

pounds (4 to 15 kg). Records indicate a

tendency for heavier bobcats in the

northern portions of their range and in

western states at medium altitudes.

The skull has 28 teeth. Milk teeth are

replaced by permanent teeth when

kittens are 4 to 6 months old. Females

have 6 mammae.

Range and Habitat

The bobcat oc curs in a wide variety of

habitats from the Atlantic to the Pacific

ocean and from Mexico to northern

British Columbia (Fig. 2). It occurs in

the 48 contiguous states.

The bobcat is as adapted to subtropical

forests as it is to dense shrub and hard-

wood cover in temperate climates.

Other habitats include chaparral,

wooded streams, river bottoms,

canyonlands, and coniferous forests to

9,000 feet (2,743 m). Bobcats prefer

areas where these native habitat types

are interspersed with agriculture and

escape cover (rocky outcrops) close by.

The bobcat has thrived where agricul-

ture is interspersed through the above

native habitat types, as in southern

Canada.

Food Habits

Bobcats are capable of hunting and

killing prey that range from the size of

a mouse to that of a deer. Rabbits, tree

squirrels, ground squirrels, woodrats,

porcupines, pocket gophers, and

ground hogs comp rise most of their

diet. Opossums, raccoon, grouse, wild

tu rkey, and other ground-nesting birds

are also eaten. Occasionally, insects

and reptiles can be part of the bobcat’s

diet. In Canada, the snowshoe hare is

the bobcat’s favorite fare. Bobcats

occasionally kill livestock. They also

resort to scavenging.

General Biology,

Reproduction, and

Behavior

Bobcats are secretive, shy, solitary, and

seldom seen in the wild. They are

active during the day but prefer twi-

light, dawn, or night hours. Bobcats

tend to travel well-worn animal trails,

logging roads, and other paths. They

use their acute vision and hearing for

locating enemies and prey.

Bobcats do not form lasting pair

bonds. Mating can occur between

most adult animals. In Wyoming,

female bobcats reach sexual maturity

within their first year but males are not

sexually mature until their second

year. Nationwide, breeding can occur

from January to June. In Wyoming,

breeding typically begins in February

and the first estrus cycle in mid-

March. The gestation period in bobcats

ranges from 50 to 70 days, averaging

62 days.

Nationwide, young are born from

March to July, with litters as late as

October. The breeding season may be

affected by latitude, altitude, and lon-

gitude, as well as by characteristics of

each bobcat population. In Wyoming,

births peak mid-May to mid-June and

can occur as late as August or Septem-

ber. These late litters may be from

recycling or late-cycling females, prob-

ably yearlings. In Utah, births may

peak in April or May. In Arkansas,

births may peak as early as March.

Bobcats weigh about 2/3 pound (300

g) at birth. Litters contain from 2 to 4

kittens. Kittens nurse for about 60 days

and may accompany their mother

through their first winter. Although

young bobcats grow very quickly

Fig. 2 Range of the bobcat in North America.

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during their first 6 months, males may

not be fully grown until 1 1/2 years

and females until 2 years of age. Bob-

cats may live for at least 12 years in the

wild.

Bobcats reach densities of about 1 per

1/4 square mile (0.7 km

2

) on some of

the Gulf Coast islands of the southeast-

ern United States. Densities vary from

about 1 per 1/2 square mile (1.3 km

2

)

in the coastal plains to about 1 cat per

4 square miles (10.7 km

2

) in portions of

the App alachian foothills. Mid-Atlan-

tic and midwestern states usually have

scarce populations of bobcats.

The social organization and home

range of bobcats can vary with climate,

habitat type, availability of food, and

predators. Bobcats are typically terri-

torial and will maintain the same terri-

tories throughout their lives. One

study showed home ranges in south

Texas to be as small as 5/8 square mile

(1.0 km

2

). Another study showed that

individual bobcats in southeastern

Idaho maintain home ranges from 2.5

square miles to 42.5 square miles (6.5

km

2

to 108 km

2

) during a year. Females

and yearlings with newly established

territories tend to have smaller and

more exclusive ranges than males.

Females also tend to use all parts of

their range more intensively than adult

males.

Bobcats commonly move 1 to 4 miles

(2 to 7 km

2

) each day. One study found

that bobcats in Wyoming moved from

3 to 7.5 miles (5 to 12 km) each day.

Transient animals can move mu ch

greater distances; for example, a

juvenile in one study moved 99 miles

(158 km).

Adult bobcats are usually found

separately except during the breeding

season. Kittens may be seen with their

mothers in late summer through

winter. An Idaho study found adult

bobcats and kittens in den sites during

periods of extreme cold and snow.

Females with kittens less than 4

months old generally avoid adult

males because they kill kittens.

In Canada and the western United

States, bobcat population levels tend to

follow prey densities. Some biologists

believe that coyote predation restricts

bobcat numbers. Unfortunately, not

enough is known about the relative

importance of factors such as litter

size, kitten survival, adult sex ratios,

and survival rates to predict changes

in local bobcat populations. Also, rela-

tively low densities and variable trap-

ping success hinder researchers from

easily predic ting changes in popula-

tions.

Since the late 1970s, state game agen-

cies have been tagging bobcat pelts

harvested in their states. Information

from these pelts is being used to esti-

mate bobcat population trends and

factors that contribute to those

changes.

Damage and Damage

Identification

Bobcats are opportunistic predators,

feeding on poultry, sheep, goats, house

cats, small dogs, exotic birds and game

animals, and, rarely, calves. Bobcats

can easily kill domestic and wild tur-

keys, usually by climbing into their

night roosts. In some areas, bobcats

can prevent the successful introduction

and establishment of wild turkeys or

can deplete existing populations.

Bobcats leave a variety of sign. Bobcat

tracks are about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8

cm) in diameter and resemble those of

a large house cat. Their walking stride

length between tracks is about 7 inches

(18 cm).

Carcasses of bobcat kills are often dis-

tinguishable from those of cougar, coy-

ote, or fox . Bobcats leave claw marks

on the backs or shoulders of adult deer

or antelope. On large carcasses, bob-

cats usually open an area just behind

the ribs and begin feeding on the vis-

cera. Sometimes feeding starts at the

neck, shoulders, or hindquarters. Bob-

cats and cougar leave clean-cut edges

of tissue or bone while coyotes leave

ragged edges where they feed.

Bobcats bite the skull, neck, or throat

of small prey like lambs, kids, or

fawns, and leave claw marks on their

sides, back, and shoulders. A single

bite to the throat, just behind the

victim’s jaws, leaves canine teeth

marks 3/4 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) apart.

Carcasses that are rabbit-size or

smaller may be entirely consumed at

one feeding. Bobcats may return sev-

eral times to feed on large carcasses.

Bobcats, like cougars, often attempt to

cover unconsumed remains of kills by

scratching leaves, dirt, or snow over

them. Bobcats reach out about 15

inches (38 cm) in raking up debris to

cover their kills, while cougars may

reach out 24 inches (61 cm).

Bobcats also leave signs at den sites.

Young kittens attempt to cover their

feces at their dens. Females with

young kittens may mark prominent

points around den sites with their

feces. Adult bobcats leave conspicuous

feces along frequently traveled rocky

ridges or other trails. These are some-

times used as territorial markings at

boundaries.

Adult bobcats also mark trails or cave

entrances with urine. This is sprayed

on rocks, bushes, or snow banks. Bob-

cats may leave claw marks at urine or

feces scent posts by scraping with their

hind feet. These marks are 10 to 12

inches (25 to 30 cm) long by 1/2 inch

(1.25 cm) wide.

Bobcats also occasionally squirt a

pasty substance from their anal glands

to mark areas. The color of this sub-

stance is white to light yellow in young

bobcats but is darker in older bobcats.

Legal Status

Among midwestern states, the bobcat

is protected in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana,

Ohio, and in most cou nties of Ken-

tucky. It is managed as a furbearer or

game animal in the plains states. West-

ern states generally exempt depredat-

ing bobcats from protected status.

They can usually be killed by land-

owners or their agent. In the more

eastern states and states where bobcats

are totally protected, permits are

required from the state wildlife agency

to destroy bobcats. Consult with your

state wildlife agency regarding local

regulations and restrictions.

C-38

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Use woven-wire enclosures to discour-

age bobcats from entering poultry and

small animal pens at night. Bobcats

can climb, so wooden fence posts or

structures that give the bobcat footing

may not be effective. Bobcats also have

the ability to jump fences 6 feet (1.8 m)

or more in height. Use woven wire

overhead if necessary. Fences are sel-

dom totally effective except in very

small enclosures.

Cultural Methods

Bobcats prefer areas with sufficient

brush, timber, rocks, and other cover,

and normally do not move far from

these areas. Keep brush cut or sprayed

around ranches and farmsteads to

eliminate routes of connecting vegeta-

tion from bobcat habitat to potential

predation sites.

Frightening

Use night lighting with white flashing

lights, or bright continuous lighting, to

repel bobcats. You can also use blaring

music, barking dogs, or changes in

familiar structures to temporarily dis-

courage bobcats.

Repellents, Fumigants, and

Toxicants

No chemical repellents, fumigants, or

toxicants are currently registered for

bobcats. Commercial house cat repel-

lents might be effective in some very

unusual circumstances. A hindrance to

development of toxicants is the bob-

cat’s preference to feed on fresh kills.

Trapping

Bobcats are more easily trapped than

are coyotes or foxes, but the bobcat’s

reclusiveness makes set locations diffi-

cult to find. When hunting, bobcats

use their sense of smell less than

coyotes do, so lures and baits are usu-

ally not effective. The bobcat’s acute

vision, hearing, and inquisitiveness

however, can be capitalized upon.

Even with the best sets, bobcats cannot

be lured from their course of travel

more than a few yards (m). The

bobcat’s use of dense cover for captur-

ing rodents and rabbits can be used in

capture techniques to guide the animal

or even its footsteps.

In the past, the demand for bobcat

pelts was moderately high due to fur

values. This had encouraged late fall

and winter harvest periods. Also, the

bobcat’s high fur quality attracts har-

vest for recreation or utility. If bobcat

depredations are common over time,

consider inviting a fur trapper to take

bobcats during prime fur periods.

Fewer bobcats may result in less com-

petition for native foods and less dep-

redation. Fur trappers may undertake

the capture and relocation of bobcats

during spring and summer months

from areas where depredations are

occurring in return for fur trapping

rights during fall and winter months.

Many of the same sets used for foxes

and coyotes will also catch bobc ats.

Few sets that target bobcats will catch

other predators. Bobcats can be led by

guide sticks or brush to dirt hole or flat

sets where proper lures are used.

Leghold Traps. Steel leghold traps,

Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are commonly used to

capture bobcats. Trap size selection

depends on the area and weather con-

ditions. For coarse-textured sandy

soils, use a No. 2 coilspring trap. Use a

No. 3 trap for wet or fine-textured clay

soils. Use No. 4 traps for frozen soils

or in deep snow sets.

A bobcat is easy to hold, but some-

times more power and jaw spread is

required than a No. 2 coilsp ring pro-

vides. The bobcat’s foot may be too

large for proper foot placement and a

good catch. Guide sticks and stones

can be used (Fig. 3).

Bobcats prefer fresh baits such as rab-

bit, muskrat, or poultry. Scattered bits

of fur and feathers work well. Bobcats

can be drawn to traps by “flags” hung

from trees or rocks located near trap

sets (Fig. 4). Suspend flags about 4 feet

(1.3 m) above the ground with fine

wire or string. A combination of stiff

wire with string attached to its end

prevents entangling in tree branches.

Where animal parts are illegal, alumi-

num foil or jar lids or imitation fur can

be used. Location is the key to trap-

ping bobcats. If the location is not cor-

rect, no flags or baits will work.

A flag set uses a piece of fur or a

couple of feathers suspended about 4

feet (120 cm) above ground with fine

wire or string. Build a small mound of

soil under the flag 1 foot (30 cm) high

and 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. Bobcats

step onto these mounds to reach the

flag. Bury steel leghold traps in the

Fig. 3. Blind or trail set using guide sticks

and stones.

Bobcat trail

Stones

Pebbles

(Traps

bedded

in ground)

C-39

Fig. 5. Trash or scat mound set.

mound. Steel leghold traps can also be

used in other sets. See instructions in

the Mountain Lions chapter.

Trash or mound sets take advantage of

bobcats covering their scat and leftover

food (Fig. 5). This set is very common.

Pull up a pile of trash or litter over a

large bait, to mimic bobcat behavior.

A smaller mound can be made with

urine poured over the trash. These sets

are useful where exposed baits are ille-

gal. Both sets should be used where

backing such as rocks or trees are

available. Place a steel leghold trap

and guide sticks in front of trash pile

sets.

Body-gripping Traps. Body-

gripping traps are very effective killer

traps for eliminating bobcats. These

kill traps are spring-loaded. When the

trigger is released, the trap closes on

the animal in a scissors-like action. An

example of this type of trap is the Vic-

tor® No. 330 Conibear®. This trap, and

others like it, can be very dangerous to

use, breaking arms, or killing large

dogs if improperly set. Check local

regulations to determine if they are

legal to use in your area. For bobcats,

set these traps in trails at the base of a

cliff or in brush. Use bait or lures

beyond the trap to entice the bobcat to

walk through it. Strategic bait place-

ment also keeps bobcats preoccupied.

These sets can be m ade in dense cover

in trails, at the entrances to dens, or at

gaps in fences or brush where bobcats

travel. These traps can also be set in

entrances to cubbies constructed to

trap bobcats. Place an attractive bait at

the rear of the cubby and place the kill

trap so that the bobcat must go

through it to reach the bait. See

Mountain Lions for other sets made

with body-gripping traps.

Sp ecific instructions on trapping bob-

cats are found in Boddicker (1980).

Extensive bobcat trapping methods

can also be found in Weiland (1976),

Young (1941), Johnson (1979), and

Musgrave and Blair (1979). Check all

local and state laws for using traps,

snares, baits, or lures.

Wire Cage Traps. Very large cage

traps, made of wire mesh or metal,

when properly set, are effective. Com-

mercial traps from 15 x 15 x 40 inches

(38 x 38 x 100 cm) up to 24 x 24 x 48

inches (60 x 60 x 120 cm) are available.

See the Supplies and Materials

chapter.

Use brush or grass on the top and

sides of the cage to give the appear-

ance of a natural “cubby” or recess in a

rock outcrop or brush. Traps should be

set in the vicinity of depredations,

travelways to and from bobcat cover,

Mound

of

trash

Partially

exposed

bait

8"-10"

from

mound

Trap

Trail

Tree

Guide rocks

or brush

Mound 1' high x 1 1/2' diameter

Fig. 4. Flag set made with a buried steel leghold trap in a mound.

Flag (feathers, fur, tinsel)

Top view

Mound

Side view

T

r

a

i

l

C-40

5' snare, one on each

end of tunnel

Stakes to tie down tunnel

Guiding brush

Snare

position

Woven wire

or cribbing

Hanging bait

Brush or grass

to cover outside

of tunnel

4'-5'

2'

Fig. 6. Cubby set with snare.

6"-8"

10"-12"

Set snares in trails where bobcats are

known to travel (Fig. 7). Baits and

lures are usually not used with snares

and may hinder success. Use camou-

flage only to break up some of the out-

line of the snare, preferably with native

material, like grasses. Do not tie cam-

ouflage material to the loop of the

snare. Spring-loaded snares work best.

Put “memory” into the snare by plac-

ing tension on the inside of the lock

against the cable with your finger as

you close the snare once or twice. This

prevents a bobcat from walking

through a snare. Cables respond to the

memory by closing easily.

Kill snares actually kill the captured

bobcat and are most often used during

the furbearer season or for animals for

which relocation has failed (Fig. 8).

They are best made from fine steel

cable, 1/16 inch (0.15 cm) or 5/64 inch

(0.2 cm) in diameter. Positive locks

work well. Set kill snares with the bot-

tom of the loop about 10 to 12 inches

(25 to 30 cm) off the ground with a

loop 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) in

diameter. This loop must be set per-

pendicular to the trail.

Live snare sets capture and hold bob-

cats alive. They differ from kill snare

sets by their cable size, locks, and

entanglement precautions. Larger

cables and relaxed locks on live snare

sets can reduce injury if set properly.

Relaxed loc ks tighten onto animals but

relax as the animal stops struggling.

This allows the animal to breath nor-

mally and regain composure.

Kill snares may be tied off to a 3-inch

(7.5-cm) diameter tree or larger . To

aid quick kills, hammer 2-foot (60-cm)

stakes into the ground, leaving 6 to 8

inches (15 to 20 cm) aboveground. Kill-

snare locks (Gregerson, Camlock,

Thompson, Keflock) are in several of

the supply catalogs listed in Supplies

and Materials.

The live snare set (Fig. 9) requires

more expertise than the kill snare set.

Also, capture and transport of bobcats

is very dangerous. Use 3/32-inch

(0.25-cm) steel cable 6 to 8 feet (1.9 to

2.5 m) long. Use snares with high

quality swivels located midway or

closer to the loop. Stake live snares to

the ground with steel stakes, ham-

mered to just below ground level. Use

loop sizes as in the kill snare set. Clear

and around bobcat trails, dens, and

hunting sites. Cover the cage bottom

with soil. Bait the cage with poultry,

rabbit, or muskrat carcasses, or live

animals. Check local and state laws for

restrictions.

Snares. Snares are very effective for

bobcats but require expertise and cau-

tion. When properly set, a snare can be

used to either kill or restrain a bobcat.

Snares can be placed in the same loca-

tions and situations as body-gripping

traps. They are particularly effective in

cubby sets, bobcat runways, and den

entrances (Fig. 6). Properly placed,

snares offer the advantages of body-

gripping traps without the danger to

pets and nontarget wildlife.

Fig. 7. Trail set with snare.

Base of steep hill or

rock outcrop “fence”

with rocks, brush, grass

C-41

4"-6"

Tree stump

or brush permissible

Place grass or brush on both sides of snare and guide

to break up outline.

2' tangle stakes

6"-8"

10"-12"

Kink in cable at

lock on end of snare

Stake at

ground level

To tal area surrounding stake is

cleared of entanglements

(rocks, brush, stumps)

6"-8"

10"-12"

Grass

“fence”

Fig. 9. Live snare with washer lock.

Fig. 8. Kill snare with washer lock.

To stake

Snare

support

wire

Stake at

ground level

C-42

For Additional

Information

Bailey, T. N. 1974. Social organizatio n in a

bobcat population. J. Wildl. Manage.

38:435-446.

Bailey, T. N. 1980. Factors of bobcat social

organization and some management

implications. Proc. Worldwide Furbearer

Conf. 2:984-1000.

Blair, C. 1981. Predator caller’ s companion.

Winchester Press, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 267 pp.

Blum, L. G., and P. C. Escherich. 1979. Bobc at

research conference proceedings, current

research on biology and management of

Lynx rufus. Natl. Wildl. Fed. Sci. Tech. Ser. 6

137 pp.

Boddicker, M. L., (ed.). 1980. Managing Rocky

Mountain furbearers. Colorado Trappers

Assoc. LaPorte, C olorado. 176 pp.

Clark, T. W., and M. R. Stro mberg. 1987.

Mammals in Wyoming. Univ. Kansas

Museum Nat. Hist. 319 pp.

Crowe, D. M. 1972. The presence of annuli in

bobcat tooth cementum layers. J. Wildl.

Manage. 36:1330-1332.

Crowe, D. M. 1975a. A model for exploited

bobcat populations in Wyoming. J. Wildl.

Manage. 39:408-415.

Crowe, D. M. 1975b. Aspects of aging, growth,

and reproduc tion of bobcats from Wyoming.

J. Mammal. 56:177-198.

Deems, E. F., and D. Pursley, (eds.). 1983. North

American furbearers — a contemporary

reference. Int. Assoc. Fish Wildl. Agencies

and Maryland Dep. Nat. Resour., Annapolis.

223 pp.

Fredrickson L. 1981. Bobcat management. South

Dakota Conserv. Digest 48:10-13.

Gluesing, E. A., S. D. Miller, and R. M. Mitchell.

1986. Management of the North American

bobcat: information needs for

no ndetrimental findings. Trans. N. A. Wildl.

Nat. Resour. Conf. 51:183-192.

Grawe, A. 1981. Grawe’s snaring methods.

Wahpeton, North Dakota. 48 pp.

Johnso n, C. 1979. The bobcat trappers bible.

Spearman Publ. Sutton, Nebraska. 32 pp.

Karpowitz, J. F., and J. T. Flinders. 1979. Bobcat

research in Utah—a progress report. Natl.

Wildl. Fed. Sci. Tech. Ser. 6:70-73

Koehler, G. 1987. The bobcat. Pages 399-409 in R.

L. De Silvestro, ed. Audubon Wildlife Report

1987. Natl. Audubon Soc ., New York.

brush and other entanglements from

the area.

Use extreme caution when releasing a

snared animal. Catch poles with

adjustable steel nooses, thick leather

gloves or gauntlets, and other protec-

tive clothing are necessary. Immobiliz-

ing drugs such as ketamine hydro-

chloride should be accessible. Two

people should handle captures; one

at the neck and the other at the back

feet to remove the snare. Cut a 1/2- x

4-inch (1.2- x 10-cm) slot from the

bottom up toward the center of a 3- x

3-foot (1- x 1-m), 5/8-inch (1.6-cm) or

larger piece of plywood. A handle

should be attached at the upper end.

Place the plywood between you and

the snared animal and let the cable run

through the slot as you approach,

keeping the cable tight. Check live

snare sets frequently to avoid unneces-

sary stress and loss of captured bob-

cats to predators, such as eagles, coy-

otes, and mountain lions. See Supplies

and Materials for suppliers of bobcat

snares. Always ask for expert advice

before attempting live captures. Exten-

sive instructions on snaring can be

found in Grawe (1981) and Krause

(1981).

Shooting

Bobcats respond to predator calls at

night and can be shot. Use a red, blue,

or amber lens with an 80,000- to

200,000-candlepower (lumen) spotlight

to locate bobcats. Sources of predator

calls are found in Supplies and

Materials.

Dogs trained to track bobcats can be

useful in removing problem animals.

Bobcats c an be shot after being treed.

Bobcats may develop a time pattern

in their depredations on livestock or

poultry. You can lie in wait and

ambush the bobcat as it comes in for

the kill. Rifles of .22 centerfire or

larger, or shotguns with 1 1/4 ounces

(35 g) or more of No. 2 or larger shot

are recommended, since bobcats are

rather large and require considerable

killing power.

Economics of Damage

and Control

Damage by bobcats is rather uncom-

mon and statistics related to this dam-

age are not well developed. In western

states where data have been obtained,

losses of sheep and goats have com-

prised less than 10% of all predation

losses. Typ ical complaints of bobcat

predation involve house cats and poul-

try allowed to roam at will in moun-

tain subdivisions and ranches. Bobcats

are taken by trappers and by hunters

using hounds. The pelts are used for

coats, trim, and accessories, the spot-

ted belly fur being most valuable. Bob-

cat pelts are used for wall decorations

and rugs. In recent years, North

American bobcat harvests have pro-

duced about 25,000 pelts valued at $2.5

million annually. Aesthetically, the

bobcat is a highly regarded carnivore.

To many people the bobcat represents

the essence of wildness in any habitat

it occupies.

Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Major Boddicker, who

authored this chapter in the 1983 edition of this

manual. The sections on identification, habitat,

food habits, general bio logy, and economics

were adapted from his work. Thanks also go to

Bill Phillips, Arizona Game and Fish

Department, and Chuck McCullough, Nebraska

Game and Parks Commission, for their

information.

Figure 1 from Schwartz and Schwartz (1981).

Figure 2 by Sheri Bordeaux.

Figures 3 through 6, 8 and 9 by Denny

Ho geland, adapted by Sheri Bordeaux.

Figure 7 adapted from M. L. Boddicker, 1980.

C-43

Krause, T. 1981. Dynamite snares and snaring.

Spearman Pub., Sutton, Nebraska. 80 pp.

McCord, C. M., and L. E. Cardoza. 1982. Bo bcat

and lynx. Pages 728-768 in J. A. Chapman

and G. A. Feldhamer, eds. Wild mammals of

North Americ a: biology, management, and

economics. The Johns Hopkins Univ. Press,

Baltimore, Maryland.

Musgrave, B., and C. Blair. 1979. Fur trapping.

Winchester Press, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 246 pp.

Robinson, W. B. 1953. Population trends of

predators and fur animals in 1080 station

areas. J. Mammal. 34:220-227.

Rue, L. 1981. Furbearing animals of North

America. Crown Pub., New York. 343 pp.

Sampson, F. W. 1967. Missouri bobcats. Missouri

Conserv. 28:7.

Schwartz, C. W., and E. R. Schwartz. 1981. The

wild mammals of Missouri, rev. ed. Univ.

Missouri Press, Columbia. 356 pp.

Scott, J. 1977. On the track of the lynx. Colorado

Outdoors 26:1-3.

Wassmer, D. A., D. D. Guenther, and J. N. Layn.

1988. Ecology of the bo bcat in south-central

Florida. Bulls. Flo rida St. Museum, Biol. Sci.

33:159-228.

Weiland, G. 1976. Long liner cat trapping.

Garold Weiland, Pub. Glenham, South