When I took up trapping again after not having done it since my youth, I was prepared for more lows than highs. I remember that much from my youth, but I also remember that the highs made it worth all the time and effort.

After I received my bobcat permit (for the season that just ended), I hit the books, watched YouTube videos, surfed Google, and basically devoured everything I could on all things bobcat. I’ve chased a lot of things in my life but never a bobcat so I needed all the help I could get. Wise old veteran trappers talk of always learning and seeing something new. Since I am neither wise nor an old veteran trapper, I was not afraid to ask for advice.  

My first shout out went to Kevin, who is a wise old trapper. He gifted me some traps and along the way was subjected to all of my questions and queries. No matter what you are doing it’s always great to talk to someone who has been there and done that and when it comes to trapping, Kevin is that guy.

The second shout out went to Max who built my cubby boxes which were used to house my traps. Sure, I could have built them myself but it would have taken much longer and the end result would not have been nearly as polished. Some things just need to be left to the professionals and Max, who is a lifelong carpenter, is that guy.

The last shout out went to Big Mike, who is a legend when it comes to trapping. Last year he practiced trapping bobcats in anticipation of getting a tag this year. He put out lures and scents, minus the traps, to see what bobcats preferred and what they didn’t and he recorded it all on video. That’s next level and a reason why I peppered him with hundreds of questions in the months, weeks, and days leading up to my first bobcat season.

I did have the advantage of a bobcat showing up on a semi-regular basis on my deer trail camera. Of the six traps that I had out, that was the one I thought was going to produce until a bobcat come in, stood directly in front of my setup and then continued on its way. It was awesome knowing I was in the right spot but also frustrating knowing that there was something that made the ‘cat just move on.

Big Mike explained to me that if a bobcat refuses a setup once, it’s difficult to get them to fully commit a second time. Armed with that information I used sticks and logs to make the box cubby look completely different. I changed up my scent lure and replenished with a liberal amount of bait. I didn’t want it to look or smell anything like the original.

With two days left in my season I made the rounds to replenish the scent and baits in my traps. When I stopped to check the “refusal trap” I was awestruck by what was waiting for me. I had caught my first bobcat!! That high will stick with me for a while. So if you were outside that morning around 8:15, that was me you heard yelling and carrying on. 

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