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Post by Dusty on Jul 20, 2004 11:38:52 GMT -6
Just a few observations, and these apply to lynx, not those pretty little spotted things.
Don't underestimate lure. It will catch you more cats. Even if you are already catching more than anyone else.
Don't put flagging out for you, put it out for the cat. Ever see a bobcat stalking an ostrich? Then what the hell are you doing hanging that flagging 6' in the air? Put it where they're looking.
Get something that they have to get really close to behind the trap. Why would a cat walk that last foot when he knows exactly what's in the cubby already, and it don't look all that appetizing? Subtle castor-based lure works for me. And don't be afraid to bring the trap to the cat - my traps are sometimes 4' from my cubby.
The guiding thing has been said. I've crammed a lot of lynx feet into 1.5 coils when that was all I had to set.
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Post by Rob220swift on Jul 20, 2004 12:13:06 GMT -6
As far as cats and tight places go, I once read that a cat's whiskers are used by the cat to gauge the size opening that their body will negotiate. Kinda like a curb feeler on a Cadillac.
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Post by Dusty on Jul 20, 2004 12:41:52 GMT -6
Rob: That's true in ringed seals breathing through the ice - they center themselves in the hole using whiskers. Cats probably do the same thing.
Now I just gotta figure out how to work that analogy into a paper....
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Post by jsevering on Jul 20, 2004 15:34:16 GMT -6
Thanks for the reply Bob, enjoyed your tapes, definetly two types of trapping.
also like to thank the other guys also for sharing some good, interesting and probably hard earned info, hope you dont mind me or think Im out of place by, asking to keep it coming...jim
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Post by trappnman on Jul 20, 2004 15:45:19 GMT -6
Holy Moly!
Excellent thread. Maybe the best thread I've read on cats anywhere.
Never trapped a cat- (maybe if my Texas plans stay active) - but think that in a few years they will be here.
Any thoughts on the overall migration of cats? Seems like slowly they are moving through the midwest from the SE, South.
Are they the next "coyote" as far as expanding into traditional and new territores?
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Post by BrandonH on Jul 20, 2004 16:22:08 GMT -6
What about cubbies for cats?? I know they are used succesfully, and am wondering your variations. Matt Jones shows a killer "teepee" style cat cubby in his newest video. How about conibears and cats?? Anybody find a succesful way of using them. I'm talking about on a consistant basis, not a once in a lifetime type deal.......
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Post by trappnman on Jul 20, 2004 16:40:08 GMT -6
Mark, down in NE, took 34 cats in conibear cubbies last year-
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Post by 17HMR on Jul 20, 2004 17:16:15 GMT -6
A very fast snare is my best tool for cats here in western Nebr, and make my own bait stations through nov and early dec with mostly damage beaver and road kill then I make my own trails into to area so I can set up my snares to my best advantage 3 or 4 confining trails for cats and 1 highway for yotes. Jeff
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Post by jsevering on Jul 20, 2004 17:44:51 GMT -6
Im definetly not half the cat trapper as some of the posters and Bob is right, probably (more than likly) missing a bunch, taking the lazy mans approach, tring to coyote trap cats.
dont have much, to offer, except mabye one little trick that may help some, mabye not.
like to use half a beaver peel back of and above a walk through dirthole, if I know a cat is in the area, to get the chickadees and other birds, sorta working as a audio and visual attractor for me....jim
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Post by Gibb on Jul 20, 2004 17:59:45 GMT -6
I love to catch cats (lynx) in my case. I use to use footholds and now use only snares and conibears in boxes. Really learned lots about them in the last few years, use to take them for granted. Set on sign and you will have great success. I have found it very hard to make a cat come to you, but if you go to the cat easy to catch. Most of the time I just mark were the cats are travelling and then just setup on the tracks. Have found flagging to be more effective then lure but have heard great things about Stef cat lure. This winter I had a cat make a monkey out of me for 3 months, finally caught the darn thing on my last pass. The one Lynx made me a better trapper. Cheers Jim
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BillKnapp
Skinner...
Training tomorrow's champions
Posts: 51
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Post by BillKnapp on Jul 20, 2004 18:19:53 GMT -6
I make different sets for cats as well.My sets are very LOUD and messy with lots fo feathers and eye appeal scattered around.
The best guiding I have ever found for cats is prickly pear.The will not step on or rub the pear to tight. If you've ever seen a prickly pear you will have your exact trap location picked instantly,the pears growth pattern will dictate that.
I heavily brush block draws as well.
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Post by musher on Jul 20, 2004 18:44:45 GMT -6
I 've made cubbies out of fir branches, placed frozen hare in sitting positions in them, etc. and won't do it again anytime soon. Too much hassle. I'm not lucky with conibears and lynx. I think Dusty makes a good point in saying why. "Curiousity" kills cats. Frozen rabbit in full view isn't curious enough.
Snares are real good though as are loud dirtholes. They don't travel far if the rabbits are there. If they are gone, they are gone for a while. They aren't fast. These past few years I wanted my lynx alive as much as possible. We are overrun with them (quota of 3) and they eat each other real quick. A live one is always in one piece.
I'm no cat expert, or "anything" expert. I have noticed that lynx don't mind being crowded into a snare. It actually works better. They also have better noses than I thought.
I have a few questions for lynx trappers. #1 How can you tell the difference between male and female urination in snow? #2 Do lynx always cover their poop or do they sometimes deposit it on rocks like fox? #3 Exactly how hard are they on the fox?
Good thread. Thanks for the info.
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Post by lynxcat on Jul 20, 2004 20:16:29 GMT -6
One MAJOR point not touched on...cat toilets...it you can find a cat toilet....it's like saying setting on sign...TIMES 10!!! Oftentimes in my/Joel's kinda country with rim rocks..and rocky passes you will find toilets sometimes w/in 50yds one side or the other from a "cut" in a rim..usually on top of the rim...or in a pass...if you find a toilet..NEVER...NEVER...NEVER pass it up..cuz you will NEVER get a better spot!!!....EVER!!! later lynx
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Post by coyote on Jul 20, 2004 20:48:04 GMT -6
hey, lynx.
please describe said toilet.
I THINK I found one a few years ago. we didn't have a season then, so didn't check it out further.
should that area still have that toilet? what if I can't find one there? (I SHOULD be able to find it, if present)
thanks!
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Post by 17kiss on Jul 20, 2004 21:09:55 GMT -6
Excellent thread.
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Bayou
Demoman...
North Louisiana
Posts: 147
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Post by Bayou on Jul 20, 2004 21:18:57 GMT -6
Very Good thread, Thanks everyone for the great Info & Nice pics.I will be sure to put some this info to use this winter,keep em coming, Thanks, Daryl
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Post by mostinterestingmanintheworld on Jul 20, 2004 21:42:49 GMT -6
Coyote,
Can I answer the toilet question seeings how Lynx isn't around?
Bobcat toilets, I call them scratches, are the way cats mark their territory. Have you ever seen a housecat use a sand box? Same thing.
Every generation of cat knows where the prominent ones are.
I've seen 50-100 droppings in arid environments that have protection from the weather.
My house cat has some piles where I've put lure that have dozens of droppings. She really likes to make these places around my lure shed. Imagine that.
I feel that these places are actually maintained more by the females than the males. I may be wrong but I usually catch the females there quicker.
I catch plenty of males at these places as well but I notice sometimes when I take the female out first I don't see as much activity in the neighborhood for a while.
I don't think adult cats particularly like to be around each other although I've caught 3-5 big toms under the same rim on consecutive checks often enough to wonder.
I know the young of the year often travel with the female far into the winter.
It's more common for me to catch two cats in a location than one so I know they inhabit the same territory. Occasionally you hit the mother load and get 5-7 in one spot.
Anyway the toilet is the place like lynx says. Often you have to walk uphill to find them though. Ridges and saddles are prime locations.
Sorry to steal your thunder Lynx. I'm sure you'll have something to add when you get back.
Joel
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Post by lynxcat on Jul 20, 2004 21:44:42 GMT -6
A good toilet is usually VERY noticable...some will have dozens of cat turds..some only 1/2 dozen or so...most are on top of the ground and white...dont let the white fool you...only takes days to turn that way...also cat turds are segmented like tootsie rolls..BIG time segmented...usually blunt on the ends also. I'l go out next day or so and take a pic of one locally... later lynx
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Post by lynxcat on Jul 20, 2004 21:48:35 GMT -6
No problem there "skippy"...one thing I find different...if I catch a female first...that usually becomes my BEST set in the area....if trapping in an area with marginal cats...catch ONE female...and you'll catch 90% of your cats in that area...in that one set.ESPECIALLY if you choke pole them..they spray till empty!!!..ALL the tom's come by to check her out!!! My feelings any how...feelings are like "Joel's"...everyone has one!!! ;D Did I say that!!! LOL later lynx
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Post by Wackyquacker on Jul 20, 2004 22:49:39 GMT -6
I wonder how many picked up on the little trick in Joels last post.
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