,transcriber ,notes      ,text emphasis 
is displayed as ,italics4               
,,hints ,,on                            
,,bobcat                                
,,trapping                              
,illustration3 ,bobcat                  
,illustration3 ,,leaflet ,,no4 #gh      
,,bobcat is the name by which the wild  
cats of the genus ,lynx are known  in   
most of the ,united ,states1            
particularly the warmer parts--,west    
and ,southwest4 ,though related to the  
mountain lion1 or cougar1 both  being   
members of the same family1 the bobcat  
is a much smaller animal  and of        
somewhat different habits1 so far as the
 selection of prey is  concerned4 ,its  
larger cousin1 the ,canada lynx1 is     
found in the northern1  more forested1  
parts of the ,united ,states and in     
,canada4 ,the economic  relations of the
 two are similar1 except as             
forest-dwelling habits  are modified by 
the bobcat's environment of plains and  
deserts in the  ,southwest4 ,the bobcat 

has keen eyesight and a good sense of   
smell1  though the latter is not so     
acute as in the wolf or the coyote4     
,most of  its hunting for food is done  
at night1 and the animal is aided by    
sight  rather than by scent4 ,the       
advance of settlement and the occupation
 of  the bobcat's former ranges for     
stock raising have not so much crowded  
back this predator as they have given it
 a new and satisfying provender1        
particularly in the young of the flocks 
and herds of the stockman and  the      
poultry of the farmer4 ,control of its  
depredations at times becomes  necessary
 to man's economic welfare4             
,washington1 ,d4 ,c4 ,issued ,june1     
#aica    ,for sale by the               
,superintendent of ,documents1          
,washington1 ,d4 ,c4 ,price #e  cents   
,,hints ,,on ,,bobcat ,,trapping        
,by ,stanley ,p4 ,young1 ,principal     
,biologist1 in ,charge ,division of     
,predatory-,animal and ,rodent ,control1
 ,bureau of ,biological ,survey         

,,contents                              
,page      ,nature of depredations      
#a      ,where to trap                  
#b      ,blind trap sets                
#b      ,scented trap sets              
#c      ,preparation of scent           
#d      ,catnip oil as a lure           
#e      ,care in details                
#e      ,rust on traps                  
#f      ,frozen ground                  
#f      ,deodorizing traps              
#f      ,paper trap pads                
#f      ,resetting traps                
#f      ,,trapping has been found to be 
one of the most effective methods of    
bobcat  control4 ,on its wild ranges the
 bobcat feeds to a large extent upon    
rabbits and other injurious rodents1 but
 it preys also upon such valuable  forms
 of wild life as antelope1 deer1 and    
other game animals1 especially  the     
fawns1 and on wild turkeys1 quail1 and  
other ground-nesting birds4  ,with human
 occupation of its former haunts1 it    
finds in the young of  domestic         

livestock very satisfactory substitutes 
for its ordinary fare  in the wild4     
,when its food is less easily obtained  
in nature than among  the flocks and    
herds of the range country1 it may      
become exceedingly  destructive to      
domestic livestock1 especially to sheep 
during the lambing  season1 to pigs1    
goats1 and calves1 and to poultry4 ,the 
depredations of  bobcats in parts of    
,arkansas in recent years have made hog 
raising on  an extensive scale          
impracticable in such localities4       
,losses caused by  this predatory animal
 among sheep are particularly severe    
when lambing  is conducted on the open  
range and the lambing grounds are in    
close  proximity to the broken1 rough1  
rocky canyons that favor the presence of
  the bobcat4 ,sheepmen often choose    
such rugged country for lambing grounds 
because of the protection it affords    
against storms4      ,nature of         
,depredations    ,on gaining entry into 
a flock of sheep at lambing time1       

commonly under  cover of darkness1 the  
bobcat carries on its depredations in   
such  manner as to cause little         
commotion there4 ,the lamb is usually   
killed  by a characteristic bite on the 
back of the neck or head1 and then it   
is pulled down to be eaten4 ,if its lust
 for killing is not satisfied1  the     
bobcat may kill other lambs by the same 
method1 continuing its work  quietly    
until a large number have been          
destroyed4 ,a single bobcat has  been   
known to kill #ch lambs in this manner  
in one night4    ,bobcats are easily    
caught in traps of the common           
double-spring steel  type1 in sizes #b  
and #c4 ,such traps have been used by   
many generations  of trappers1 and      
although deemed inhumane by some        
persons1 no better or  more practical   
device has yet been invented to take    
their place4 ,the  brief description    
here presented of trapping methods to be
 used in bobcat  control is based on    
field experiences of ,federal and       

cooperative trappers  who have applied  
methods developed by the ,bureau of     
,biological ,survey4      ,where to     
,trap    ,in selecting a site for trap  
sets1 one should be guided to a large   
extent by the tracks of the animal 7fig4
 #a7 and by other traces of its         
presence1 which are commonly found in   
the rugged recesses of the open  range4 
,such places as leached limestone       
ridges1 limestone cap rock1 or  eroded  
granitic canyons containing an abundance
 of small caverns and  holes surrounded 
by rather extensive underbrush form the 
ideal habitat  of the bobcat4 ,this may 
be in low-lying country or in adjacent  
higher  mountainous areas4 ,though it is
 advisable to use the greatest caution  
in  setting bobcat traps1 the care with 
which the art is practiced need not  be 
so great as in the case of the wolf or  
the coyote4    ,when the trail of a     
bobcat has been found1 by track or sign1
 along1 or  leading from its rocky lair1
 traps may be placed in either double or

  single sets4 ,if the trail is not     
frequently used by livestock also1 or   
by such big-game animals as deer1 the   
so-called blind trap set may be         
employed4 ,this set is called a blind   
because no lure or scent need be  used  
around it when completed4               
,illustration3 ,figure #a4--;,blind or  
trail set being placed for bobcats4     
,trails used by both bobcats and cattle 
make ideal situations tor placing  the  
blind set for predators during periods  
when stock is removed from  such parts  
of the range      ,blind ,trap ,sets    
,whether single or double blind trap    
sets are employed1 they should be       
placed in holes dug directly in the     
trail of the bobcat close to such  an   
obstruction as an exposed root1 a rock1 
or a clump of weeds1 for the  bobcat    
seldom fails to step over rather than on
 such an obstruction in  its path4      
7,fig4 #b47 ,if the double set is to be 
used1 the trap holes  should be only    
about #a inch apart1 separated just far 

enough to prevent  interference of the  
jaws when the trap is sprung4 ,each hole
 should be  dug only slightly larger    
than the size of the trap and just deep 
enough  to hold the set trap and allow  
this to be slightly lower than the level
  of the surrounding ground4 ,when two  
traps are used1 they may be joined      
together with a lap link at the ends of 
their chains1 which in turn may  be     
attached to a stake pin driven slightly 
below the ground level2 or a  drag may  
be used either made of wrought iron or  
consisting of a fairly  heavy stone4    
,the drag should be bedded under the    
traps1 in which case  more excavating   
will be required4 ,it is well to have a 
free-acting swivel  at the top of the   
stake pin to prevent a captive animal   
from twisting and  breaking the trap    
chains attached to it4    ,illustration3
 ,figure #b4--;,details of setting trap 
for bobcat in trail2  trap bedded just  
beyond a natural obstruction in the     
path2 the working  parts of trap are    

lightly packed with cotton to insure    
springing when the  ground is frozen    
,after the trap has been firmly bedded  
it is advisable to cover it  with fine  
pulverized earth similar to that found  
in the mound of a  pocket gopher4 ,this 
will do for the spring of the trap4 ,dry
 and finely  pulverized horse or cow    
manure may be more advantageously used  
to cover  the inside of the trap jaws4  
,care should be taken to keep all loose 
dirt  from getting under the pan and to 
see that there is an open space beneath 
it of at least a quarter of an inch4    
,a trap pad made of canvas or of old    
descented slicker cloth for finally     
covering the pan should now be placed on
 the inside of the jaws2 then  over all 
should be sprinkled dry dirt to the     
depth of a quarter to a half  inch1 of  
the same color as the ground surrounding
 the trap4 ,the spot  where the trap is 
buried should be left in as natural a   
condition as  possible4      ,scented   
,trap    ,a scent attractive to bobcats 

may be used to advantage to lure the    
animals to trap sets4 ,when scenting is 
resorted to1 however1 the traps  should 
not be placed in the runway proper1 but 
on either side of it1 or  on one side   
only1 and parallel to ,sets the trail4  
,they should be set in  the same manner 
as described for the blind sets1 between
 the trail and  the spot selected for   
scattering the scent4 7,fig4 #c47 ,this 
spot should be  no more than #f to #h   
inches from the trap4 ,in placing the   
scent1 advantage  should be taken of any
 stubble1 bunch of weeds1 exposed root1 
or object  known as a scent post4 ,these
 are so termed from the fact that they  
are  the places selected by the animal  
for voiding urine or feces4    ,bobcats 
usually have their scent posts slightly 
off the trail1 on stubble  of range     
grasses1 on bushes1 or even on old      
bleached-out carcasses4  ,where the     
ground conditions are right for good    
tracking1 natural scent  posts may be   
detected by the claw scratches and the  

small mound of dirt  where the bobcat   
has covered its excrement4 ,such habits 
are similar to  those of house cats4 ,in
 passing along its trails1 the bobcat   
will usually  revisit these scent posts4
    ,when natural scent posts can not be
 readily found1 one may be easily       
established along the determined trail  
of a bobcat by dropping scent 7of  a    
kind to be described7 on a few clusters 
of weeds1 spears of grass1 or  stubble  
of low brush4 ,the trap should be set   
between the trail and the  place        
scented1 about #f or #h inches from     
each4 7,fig4 #d47 ,any number of  such  
scent stations may be placed along a    
determined trail4 ,the farther  from the
 trail a trap is set1 however1 the more 
scent will be needed4 ,for  dropping the
 scent1 a #b to #d ounce bottle fitted  
with a shaker cork may  be used4        
,illustration3 ,figure #c4--,placing a  
scent set for bobcats3 ,a1 double trap  
set1 placed as in blind sets1 but a few 
inches off the trail instead of         

directly in it2 ,b1 traps bedded1 and   
springs and jaws properly covered  and  
pan unobstructed1 ready for covering    
with a trap pad1 on which the  topsoil  
is to be spread4 ,scent sets are placed 
between the trail and a  clump of weeds 
or other natural or artificial scent    
posts      ,preparation of ,scent       
,the basis of the scent may be any kind 
of fish1 but oily varieties1 such  as   
sturgeon1 eels1 suckers1 and carp1 are  
preferred4 ,the flesh should  be ground 
in a sausage mill1 placed in strong tin 
or galvanized-iron  cans1 and left in a 
warm place to decompose thoroughly4     
,each can must be  provided with a small
 vent to allow the escape of gas1       
otherwise there  is danger of explosion4
 ,the aperture1 however1 should be      
screened with  a fold of cloth to       
prevent flies from depositing eggs1 as  
the mixture  seems to lose much of its  
scent quality when maggots develop in   
it4 ,this  preparation may be used      
within three days after mixing1 but it  

is more  lasting and penetrating when it
 is about a month old4    ,fish scent   
alone gives excellent results1 but      
several modifications  have been found  
highly effective4 ,to the decomposed    
fish as a basis may  be added mice1     
beaver castors1 musk glands from minks1 
weasels1 and  muskrats1 and the bladders
 of coyotes and bobcats4 ,oil gives body
 to the  scent and to a certain extent  
prevents freezing4 ,if the mixture      
appears  too thin1 glycerin1 brains1    
fish oil1 butterfat1 or other animal    
fat1  such as that from woodchucks and  
ground squirrels1 may be added4    ,the 
hunter may commence with a quantity of  
ground fish placed in a large           
galvanized-iron container1 similar to a 
milk can1 and as the original lot  is   
used on the trap line1 he may replenish 
it by adding more fresh fish  and others
 of the ingredients mentioned4 ,the     
addition of new material  from time to  
time seems to improve the desirable     
qualities of the scent  mixture4        

,illustration3 ,figure #d4--;,details of
 placing scent set on cleared space     
between the trail and a clump of higher 
weeds or grass used as a scent  post4   
,between the trap set and the scent post
 may be buried a jar having  perforated 
top and containing cotton saturated with
 oil of catnip2 or  other scent material
 may be sprinkled on the clump of weeds 
to lure the  bobcat to the trap         
,catnip ,oil as a ,lure    ,oil of      
catnip1 diluted in the proportion of #ce
 drops of the pure oil to  #b ounces of 
petrolatum1 has proved an effective lure
 in bobcat trapping4  ,as this is a fine
 oil1 the petrolatum is used to give it 
body1 and this  tends also to prevent   
loss of the scent when exposed to rain4 
,pure catnip  oil is manufactured at a  
few places in the ,united ,states1 but  
if the pure  oil is not obtainable1 the 
leaves of the catnip plant may be boiled
 to  a pulpy consistency in water1 and  
this will produce a mild tincture of    
catnip which can be drawn off4 ,catnip  

in this form has been used as a  lure by
 some trappers with a fair degree of    
success4 ,a few drops of the  mixture of
 petrolatum and pure catnip oil1 or of  
the tincture1 should be  placed on the  
scent spot every third day4    ,some    
,biological ,survey hunters employ this 
lure by burying at one side  of a bobcat
 runway a small glass jar or bottle     
7fig4 #d7 into which has  been dropped  
gauze or cotton batting1 saturated with 
catnip oil4 ,the  mouth of the container
 is left open1 but level with the       
ground1 and is  protected by a          
perforated top4 ,if the top is bright1  
it should be made  inconspicuous by     
moistening it1 and while wet brushing it
 over with dust  or sand4 ,trap sets    
placed1 as described around such scent  
points have  accounted for many bobcats4
      ,care in ,details    ,success in  
trapping1 whether for bobcats or for    
other predators1 is in  many respects   
dependent upon the trapper's attention  
to what might seem  to be minor details4

 ,while digging holes for the sets it is
 well for the  trapper to stand or kneel
 on a setting cloth1 which is made of   
canvas  or a piece of sheepskin or calf 
hide about #c feet square4 ,human scent 
on the canvas may be avoided by         
previously burying the cloth in an old  
manure pile4 ,the dirt removed from the 
place where the trap is bedded  may be  
piled on the setting cloth4 ,surplus    
dirt not needed for covering  the trap  
should be scattered evenly on the ground
 at some distance from  the set4 ,it is 
well also to wear gloves while setting  
traps1 and to use  them for no other    
purpose1 though the precautions against 
arousing the  suspicion of bobcats are  
less necessary than those in trapping   
wolves and  coyotes4    ,rust on        
traps4--,rust is often the cause of the 
failure of traps to  spring properly1   
particularly when the trap pan rusts on 
its post4 ,most  steel traps are so     
constructed that when the trap pan is   
moved back and  forth it will spread the

 joint and thus permit the pan to work  
freely4  ,putting a few drops of fine   
oil on the post1 as well as in the slots
 that  hold the jaws at the base of the 
trap1 will overcome such difficulties4  
,frozen ground4--,when the ground is    
frozen it is difficult to keep the      
traps in working order4 ,some hunters   
overcome this difficulty by lining  the 
bottom of the hole in which the trap is 
to be bedded with clean  coarse cotton  
or wool1 and by packing more of this    
material around the  pan1 springs1 and  
jaws after the trap is placed4 ,when the
 ground is  frozen1 the dirt cover for  
the set can be made of such debris as is
 found  on ant hills1 or by using dead  
leaves or the fine earth obtained under 
spruce1 fir1 hemlock1 or aspen trees4   
,deodorizing traps4--,when received from
 dealers or manufacturers1 traps        
frequently smell of grease1 perspiration
 from human hands1 or other odors       
caused by contact with various kinds of 
merchandise in the course of  shipment4 

,as some of these odors are likely to   
arouse the suspicion of  predators1 it  
is advisable to clean all traps before  
using them4 ,this may  be done by       
boiling them in a tincture of sage      
leaves1 or of leaves from  other native 
trees4 ,common soil is a good           
deodorizer1 but it acts slowly4  ,simply
 burying the traps for a few days in a  
manure pile 7the odor from  which does  
not arouse the predator's suspicion7    
will often remove all  other odors4 ,it 
is better1 however1 before using traps  
to clean them by  boiling1 as mentioned4
 ,never attempt to burn off an odor over
 a fire1 as  this may destroy the temper
 of the springs and make the trap       
worthless4    ,paper trap pads4--,paper 
pads are not dependable1 as they are    
usually  too smooth to hold the covering
 of soil4 ,this is soon swept' off the  
paper when the trap is set in a windy   
place1 and when this is gone the  trap  
is exposed4 ,furthermore1 rain will     
readily soak a paper pad1 causing  it to

 break or collapse and expose much of   
the set4 ,another objection to  paper   
pads is that when an animal steps       
lightly into a trap jaw1 resting  its   
toes barely inside of it but not on the 
trap pan1 it is likely to  hear the     
rustle of the paper under its foot as   
well as to feel its  smoothness4 ,the   
result is that it will be shy of that   
particular spot1  and thus a catch is   
lost4 ,trap pads made of fairly thick   
canvas or woven  wire of fly-screen     
consistency are therefore preferable to 
paper pads4  ,such trap pads should be  
free from all odor1 and when not in use 
should  be kept in a clean container1   
such as the #a-pound cans used for      
ground  coffee4      ,resetting ,traps  
,the trap may be reset after a bobcat   
has been caught1 the same spot being    
used if the ground and the natural      
surroundings have not been too badly    
scratched up or otherwise defaced1 and  
if evidences of disturbance can be      
cleared away4 ,it may be highly         

desirable to reset the sprung trap in   
the  same place1 particularly if other  
good spots are lacking for scenting or  
for taking advantage of the natural     
obstructions needed for blind sets4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,u4 ,s4 ,,government ,,printing         
,,office3 #aica                         
99       99       99       99       99  
,transcriber ,notes      ,as listed in  
the ,,contents1 sidenotes in the        
original are used as  section headers4  
,illustrations were moved so as not to  
split paragraphs4