Indiana allowed Bobcat trapping this year, with a statewide quota of 250 in southern Indiana. Last night the quota was met. Alas one of the guy who hunts had one in his trap this morning. I helped with the release . He used a non destructive leg ho,d, so kitty was released without a scratch happy to report we left without a scratch too.
How exactly was the release accomplished? Do you have to get up close and personal or is there a way to relax the trap from a distance?
metalcuttr Ronaldo , et al. He had a sheet of particle board with a cutoff on the bottom . The board is a barrier , and placed over the leg and trap. The trap is opened so the critter slips away.
We do not have many where we live now but I do get a few pictures off trail cams. When we lived further north there were plenty.
I’ve been see8ng more in central IL on the deer lease. A versed relative in MI traps most everything, less now than years back. One of his bobcat methods was to pre bait cubbies, in suitable habitat. That could be game bird wings, guts, muskrat carcass, beaver, whatever. Usually bobcat season opens later. When the time comes, set trap in front, he’s remote, on private land. The bobcat is already used to coming for a meal. I used to trap a fair bit in my ‘formative years’, mostly water critters & raccoons. Now it’s mostly as an assistant or a few nuisance critters. That short list includes a few very problematic beavers, dam in a bad spot. I just bought a few traps so I don’t have to borrow any, 2 large Leghold, 2 medium. I just have a few around barely suitable for a woodchuck. I’ll add a conibear or two at some point. One thing many don’t know about trapping, it’s not like much of what’s portrayed. Most every water set is either a killer trap or drowning set. As above with land sets, many can be released with minimal harm. When they want to catch a wolf to collar, they use leg holds, not going to get them with a live trap.
I ordered & picked up just a few ‘Conibear’ style killer traps, just a few. These were Duke & Bridger. I know manufacturing is tough in the USA, making a profit & all. On these traps I see Taiwan, Korea and maybe Vietnam as countries of manufacture. They do seen to work ok. The Leghold traps pictured above are high quality, MB and the ‘N B’ brand. Since I’m not buying many, I’d rather the better quality. I see Belisle conibear types are made in Canada, tariffs aside, I may try them next.
Keep yours eyes open for auctions, I see traps frequently listed in the local papers. If there is an area advertiser paper, that’s the best place to look.
I could have hooked him up. But in September I took pretty much my whole trapping kit to Lusk Wyoming for “ coyote days” and unloaded it all at motivated seller prices!
