Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Bobcat Load?

I have a complete set......

Thanks Wayne, not sure what I could have done to change the results.

The 2nd trip I hunted the far southern end of the forest. I saw a lot of coyote tracks, so I was surprised I only called in one, and he came in slow at the 24 minute mark. I thought maybe the wolves had a role in that, but the guy that busted my one set claimed there weren't any down that far south. I'm sure there's some that drift down there, but I never cut a track.

It has been years since I saw a Bobcat and just the other day I was snowmobiling with a group out of Hatfield, WI and we were on a Clark County trail heading for Tioga, southwest of Willard and I was behind the lead snowmobile. We topped a hill and there about 50 yards ahead was a Bobcat on the trail, and poof he was gone.

We stopped where we last seen it and there was the remains of a Ruffed Grouse that it must of been dining on.

This thread got me pretty pumped up - the pics! I’m
working with a Hornet & .222 here in the VT woods and beyond.

If (as I just learned) the 55g Hornady SP works on Deer, it oughta work great on Bobs & Coyotes at any angle.

You'll get some pretty rough occasional damage on coyotes and bobbers with 55gr HSP's on frontal or shoulder bone shots. quarter sized exits on broadside shots. Great deer bullet though.

I know this is primarily a rifle conversation but having a shotgun around is fur friendly and can save your a$$ in close, thick cover where bobcats like to be. I've regretted not having one on a few occasions and glad I had it on a few as well.

I like hevi-shot dead coyote, T-shot

Used to talk occasionally to a guy who hunted coyotes and bobcats with a 223 and he said he mostly used the military FMJ because they wouldn't damage the fur. A couple small holes and that was it and with a good shot they just piled up. Never did get to try his theory as I usually just use what I'm carrying at the moment and don't save hides.

Been watching a bunch of predator hunting videos on youtube and several of them seem to be pretty happy with the 53 gr Hornady Vmax for saving fur....

Bob

By "this year", assuming you meant 2020, how did it go? Oct seemed kind of late in the season to be searching for a specific load/rifle, though I see you settled on a 22-204. I shot one bobcat years ago at about 20 yards with the 40 grain ballistic tip out of a .204 Ruger and it was really easy on the fur.

Scroll back up to 1-3-21, I updated the hunt.

Shot with 22 pistol through 338 win, killed this one couple months ago with a 204 32 gr Hornady at 300 yds, no exit. Never had a 32 exit
upload pics to internet

223 40 gr vmax

240 Wby 85 tsx

Holy hell...How did I miss that? Maybe the pics took a while to load and I scrolled right past them all without realizing it.

I can state for a fact that arrows are not fur friendly. From this past January. At least the holes are clean cut....grin....

😂😂

How common are bobcats in AZ, NM and TX? It seems like lots are killed by callers and incidentally down south. In the intermountain states I know of only a handful of people who have killed them without dogs or trapping. I've seen maybe 10-12 over the years. I have seen quite a few more wolves and almost an equal number of lions than I have bobcats. I don't know if it is a population thing, a different subspecies or what the deal is.

Double tap....

Pretty common here. I don't try to call them but I see a few a year just glassing. About as common as lions. I see 2-10 lions a year on camera and glassing.

Texas, dependent on region is loaded with them. I mean loaded, mainly west half ..

We got lots up here too Ted, lot more since they outlawed the use of dogs.

There are a lot more 'cats around than most people think. If there are rabbits and mice there will be predators. I have trespassing privileges on a ranch south of LaJunta, CO, where I've shot a dozen or so 'cats in a place where the owner said he'd never seen a 'cat. Other than being in the middle of nowhere and a PITA to get to, it is one of my all time favorite places to spend a day with a rifle.