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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 259 |
While deer hunting last week a bobcat walked through my path. Having only seen one bobcat previously, I do not know how to judge the size of a bobcat.
I only shoot animals for a purpose, that being said I pull love a quality bobcat mount. Any tips on judging bobcat size?
Memento mori ( remember you must die) enjoy every day for tomorrow you may not wake
You can always borrow and pay the money back but you can never get the time back
Everyone hunter should own a fine rifle, life is short.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,213
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,213 |
I've killed a number of bobcats here in Kentucky, and the biggest one was close to 25 pounds. The majority of the mature cats I've seen here have been in the 23-25 pound range. With that being said, I've heard where cats in the northern and western states get bigger than what we have here. My thoughts are that you probably have to kill a few in order to judge them size wise. I have passed up some that appeared to be on the small size, that I assumed were young ones. I have also seen a few that looked as if they would outweigh the biggest that I have shot.
I'd say that nothing beats first hand experience in becoming able to judge them. I almost always shoot them if given a chance because they prey on the turkeys that I like to hunt.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,933 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,933 Likes: 2 |
Ground checking is the best method for any predators
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,698
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,698 |
They are always lighter than they look. At least until you get some experience with them. There are a lot of stories of 50+ pound "wild cats" from guys who have never seen a cat before.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 43 |
biggest cat I've ever harvested was a 34lb male and he was built very long and lanky and I thought he'd be around 25 lbs till i weighed him, for me it's very hard to field judge a cat because they come in every shape and body build
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,283
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,283 |
The only difference between a big cat and a kitten is target size.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,394 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,394 Likes: 1 |
And any sized bobcat makes a nice trophy (or rug).
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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