What's the Better Trophy to Trap or Tree with Dogs A Bobcat

[grizzly340]

I have caught bobcats om my cameras 4 years in A row. I have always wanted A bobcat rug sense the first time I seen one. I always wanted to shoot one with a Winchester 9422 Magnum.
I was thinking of trying to trap one. And if I fail in the 10 day season then hire my freind and his hounds and see if I can keep up and get one that way.
Trapping is less work. Lol and cheaper.
But I was just wondering what you all think would be the better trophy.  Trapping or Hunting with hounds. I have tried calling them. But no luck there.

[Grouchy]

I would guess trapping would damage the pelt less than shooting it. 

[.257]

To me the best would be calling one in. Tried trapping one all season last year, ended up calling one in the second to the last day.

[JWDynamics]

I don't know anything about trapping them but if you decide to shoot one, I think you're on the right track with a small projectile like that. I've shot 4 of them over the past 25 years and all with deer rifles (25-06, 7x57, & 240 Wby Mag). The size and thinness of their skin makes these deer rifles overkill and usually ended up in a grapefruit sized exit wound.

If I were going to only hunt bobcats, I would probably use my 22-250 with a 50-55 gr bullet and minimal expansion.

Here in Texas, there is no season for bobcats. They can be hunted any time of year. I've never heard of bobcat season but I'm probably just not cultured enough.

[TexWeatherby]

I'd say trapping. Bobcats are fast as hell and hounds keeping up with one won't be easy. As long as the cat has a lead, it probably won't tree, but run on unless it senses the hounds are close. If you have the right terrain in areas where you see them, you may be able to bait them (if that's not illegal where you are) and take one with a long shot (I'm thinking 224 or 240 Weatherby and a little patience for that). Good luck however you decide to get that hide.

[PARA45]

Our season for Bobcats here in GA is about 3 month long, and most of it is during deer rifle season.  So, they are basically target of opportunity.  I've seen three while deer hunting, and they looked like they were very young.  We have some big ones on camera, but they only come up at night, go figure.  LOL!!!!

[catskinner]

trapping would be best, if you can get one, but if you do decide to shoot one, and have a good hide for a nice rug, the 22 mag is about the best, a 223 with fmj's(if your allowed to use fmj's in your area) work alright also, for longer shots.

Rob

[grizzly340]

MI bobcat season in the northern lower is Jan 1 to March 1 to run them with hounds you need perfect snow conditions.  For both man and dog.
And deep enough to tire out the cat.
Trapping is Dec. 10th  and last about 10 days.
But the cat has to walk down the trail where the trap is. And the cats in the area I hunt. Come by about once a month.  Judging by them on my camera. And I have to check the trap daily. So I can only trap for a weekend. So not likely to be successful.  Hounds by far my best odds.  And my freind recommends a light 20 GA. With turkey loads.
I would still like the 22 magnum. For the reason's mentioned they are thin skinned and any 22 ceterfire above 222 could blow them up.
Mike I would love to call one in. And will try that if snow conditions are not good for dogs.
I really wanted your opinions on if trapping was frowned on. It means alot to me your opinions.
Thanks and keep them comming.

[224KING]

The guy across the road from me had a 2 compartment live trap.he put a rooster in one end and the other side of the trap was set off like a live trap by compression plate.in about 100 days he caught 18 bobcats.Set it up on a trail along the creek bank.He had all kinds of mounts made.He was killing them with 22 shorts out of a revolver.

[buffybr]

I would rather have a bobcat mounted from one that I shot rather than one that I trapped.

I have only seen a few bobcats while hunting and only shot one.  That was many years ago when I lived in Colorado.  If you want one to mount, don't shoot it in the head with a 180 gr bullet from a .30-06.

[grizzly340]

Yes Buff I can imagine the end result.
I have A freind that took one on A deer hunt with A 270. The settled on a front half of a full size mount coming out if the wall. It was his only option. I won't use anything for the hound hunt option bigger than 22 mag.
If calling a 50 gr. Ballistic tip. With the plan there. No exit total blow up in side the cat.
And Tom I do like that trap concept.  And I haven't checked. But I'm pretty sure no live bait in trapping here. But A dead  bird would be legal.

[zoniezonie]

Trap them if allowed would do  less damage, and have more chances of getting one or several,    generally on your higher end garments the furriers use the belly fur.  A few years ago here locally a prime bobcat pelt could fetch over 1000 bucks for one pelt,  don't know what it is today no doubt   lower in price I would imagine ?  It can take many pelts to make anything depending what you are making. 

[zoniezonie]

If it were me and didn't want to blow it to pieces I agree a good 22 mag with a heavier bullet would be my choice,  our season is just sky of 8 months long and we do call them although some people trap them for their pelts.  Every one I have shot with a centerfire has been ugly, the other way some of my friends have been doing is with a shotgun / rifle over under along the lines of the old savage 24's or Baikal's  12 ga / 223 or what ever you can find, scoped for longer ranges and just sight down the barrel for in your lap calling distances,  saves carrying 2 rifles when calling in varing vegetations, mostly in our area for fox.  Yes they will come to a call if you are patient and sit there for longer periods without getting winded or moving.  I had an old wooden Lohman wounded rabbit hand  call that works, gave to my son,  still have a small old cassette player that I recorded myself using different calls ,  they both work.   Guys trap them and more successful.   shots guns are great for closer in shots and won't tear them up so bad to where the hide can't be repaired as long as you use the right shot size and don't shoot them too close.  that's assuming you can legally use a weapon / caliber/ ammo / shotgun for bobcats or whatever animals in your area.     hope you get a few.