Bobcats

[bqz]

Has anyone ever had an experience with them.
We have one living somewhere on our place,I have seen him the last few days or so.He'll come out in an opening behind our place(40yds.) and set there for a minute and then walk off,I know his hunting rabbit because we have a bunch.
Now I know these dudes can be mean, so what should I do kill it or leave it be? My concern is it might jump one of the kids.
So what's been your experience?

[ksfarmer]

We have lots of bobcats in our area and really don't have much problem with them. They live mostly on mice, rats, rabbits and ground nesting birds. They will kill housecats if they have the opportunity, and a neighbor saw one grab a baby pig. I'm sure chickens and other poultry would be tasty for him. Never heard on one attacking a human, unless cornered or kittens were threatened.

[TedH71]

No need to worry about them. They would rather be hunting bunnies.

[GoatNamedDunn]

I agree with ksfarmer. They are actualy worth alot more alive than dead. They are good keeping pests away. Even the scent left from one walking in a field will keep the field mice away for a bit. If you are worried about your rabbits make sure they have someplace secure they can get out of danger. We have coyotes, cougars, and bobcats around here. When I kept rabbits outside I made sure they had two or three points of safety. Inside the hutch I made it so there was a little hallway and "rooms" so they wouldnt be easy to get incase the cat tried to reach his paw in.

I guess its my own soft heart, but part of homesteading is going back to nature. If we can avoid it we should let nature be nature even if it means a little inconvienence for us.

[bqz]

They are actually worth a lot more alive than dead. They are good keeping pests away

I was thinking along the same lines(did a little research) ,but had never been around them so really wasn't sure what to except,another thing I have noticed as well not too many snakes lately either,perhaps bob's getting them as well

If you are worried about your rabbits

Oh no they are wild rabbits there are tons of them ,we have a special hunt each year just to thin them out there's so many.

[deaconjim]

Came face to face with one while hunting. We were about 6 feet apart before either of us knew the other was there. It stood and looked at me for about 10 seconds, and then ran off. Frankly, it never occured to me that it might attack.

The only concern I might have is about a rabid cat attacking (we had a neighbor attacked by a rabid bobcat a few years ago), but that could happen with just about any animal. I would just be happy with the fact that he's close enough for you to observe occasionally, and enjoy the view.

[big rockpile]

Wait until its Fur is prime.

I only had one take after me,but it thought I was a Turkey.

I heard of something the other day.Bobcat disease.Seems Ticks come off Bobcats get on House Cats and they get sick and die.

big rockpile

[naturewoman]

Bobcats are good at avoiding people. It's not your kids you need to worry about, but your fowl. I can't let my chickens out till noon now, to make sure my friendly neighborhood bobcat won't get them. The females raising young are the biggest problem. They really won't even go after house cats unless there is no other food source available. House cats fight back. They prefer prey animals for food.

[Lizza]

We've had one live by us for years. We've only had one run in and that was when our 4 dogs cornered him early one morning. He fought his way out and injured one of the dogs but with home care he was fine. The dogs never messed with him again!

I haven't lost any chickens to him. We have *a lot* of jack rabbits though so I'm pretty sure he is well fed. I say "he" only because no one has ever seen babies but maybe you don't? I'm not too sure, he really keeps to himself.

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by big rockpile

Wait until its Fur is prime.

I only had one take after me,but it thought I was a Turkey.

I heard of something the other day.Bobcat disease.Seems Ticks come off Bobcats get on House Cats and they get sick and die.

big rockpile

Rockpile, a turkey hunter I know came over one day and his face was scratched up pretty bad. I said you must have been in some bad briars, he said no a bobcat. He was calling a turkey and had him getting closer then he heard him walking directly behind the tree he was setting at.It stopped walking so he gave a real low yelp on the call and a big bobcat pounced around the tree with turkey on his mind, but it won't a turkey but he scratched the hunters face anyway and left alot faster than he came.

I used to shoot one or two a year but I've decided they will do me more good by eating some of them rabbits that rob my garden every night.And I have never had any problems with bobcats like killing chickens and the like.

[Quint]

I've seen several on my place. Even seen a momma and her kittens/cubs a couple of years back. I was sitting against a tree and got the chance to see her and her offspring quite close up. One of the neater things I've ever come across in the woods. Last year I seen one come walking across the road and into the yard. It hung around for an hour or so lounging in the sun and getting a drink at the pond and doing some sniffing around. Pretty soon it took off across the fence row back into the timber. About 20 minutes later here come another one sniffing the ground and following nearly the same path. I figured it was a male on the scent of a female.

I generally leave them alone. I'll trap or shoot one or two a year but that's it. They never bother anything. I like having them around. Besides the last time I sold a bobcat pelt I got around 300 bucks for it. Most I've kept and had tanned since I thought they were neat looking. This year though any I get are going to market providing the price is decent.

[MelissaW]

Any one I've ever seen around here just stands there a minute and trots off. I actually get a kick out of them. They remind me of a haughty house cat saying, "I see you there but you don't deserve any further attention from me." and then they stick their nose in the air and walk away! I'm soft hearted too, so I'd say let him be.

[Alice In TX/MO]

They aren't a danger to people.

[Jolly]

They're not bad if you coo 'em right.