Hunting for Bobcats: Strategies for Success

Hunting for Bobcats: A Complete Guide to Successful Predator Hunts

Bobcats are elusive, highly territorial predators found across most of North America. Their stealth, patience, and nocturnal tendencies make them one of the most challenging—and rewarding—furbearers to hunt. Whether you’re calling in thick timber, glassing desert foothills, or tracking fresh snow trails, you need a game plan that matches the bobcat’s cautious behavior.

This guide breaks down proven bobcat hunting strategies, essential gear, sign identification, calling techniques, and tips for taking clean shots. If you’re considering guided predator hunts or want to compare trusted outfitters, you can easily explore vetted options through Find A Hunt.

Understanding Bobcat Behavior

Bobcats rely on stealth and ambush, which means hunters must shift from fast-paced coyote tactics to quieter, slower, more intentional setups.

Key Behavioral Traits

• Slow, methodical approach: Bobcats often slip in silently rather than charge a call.

• Territorial: They hunt small home ranges and revisit productive zones regularly.

• Visual hunters: Movement-based decoys are highly effective.

• Edge-oriented: Bobcats favor pinches, creek bottoms, and brushy transitions.

• Snow-friendly: Fresh snow dramatically improves tracking and success rates.

Where to Find Bobcats

Bobcats occupy a wide variety of terrain across the country. Look for:

Prime Habitat

• Thick cedar, pine, or oak timber

• Brushy desert draws and rock outcrops

• Creek bottoms, drainages, and beaver ponds

• Old homesteads, barns, and farm edges

• Cutovers, CRP, and overgrown pastures

• Canyon rims, foothills, and rimrock

Bobcats rarely cross wide-open areas unless pressured—they use terrain features to stay concealed.

Essential Gear for Bobcat Hunting

Firearms

Rifles:

• .17 HMR, .22 WMR, .223 Rem, or .204 Ruger

• Low-recoil, pelt-friendly calibers

• Optics: 3–9x or similar magnification for precise shots

Shotguns:

• 12- or 20-gauge

• Improved Cylinder or Modified

• #2–#4 buck or #4–#6 turkey-style lead where legal

Calls

• Electronic calls with bobcat vocalizations

• Prey distress sounds (bird, rabbit, rodent)

• Mouth calls for subtle sequences

Decoys

Movement is the #1 trigger for bobcats:

• Feather decoys

• Motion critter toys

• Fur or tail wands

Clothing & Accessories

• Full camouflage

• Tripod or shooting sticks

• Hand warmers for cold sits

• Headlamp for predawn tracking

• Drag rope or game bag

Scouting & Reading Bobcat Sign

Bobcats leave distinctive clues if you know what to look for.

Sign Indicators

• Tracks: Round, no claw marks, smaller than cougar tracks

• Scat: Often segmented, full of hair and bones

• Scratch piles: Debris mounds used to mark territory

• Kill sites: Birds, rabbits, or rodents cached under leaves or grass

• Travel corridors: Creek bottoms, overgrown fencerows, and cattle paths

Fresh snow or damp soil magnifies movement patterns.

Proven Bobcat Hunting Strategies

1. Long Calling Stands

Bobcats move slowly.

• Plan 20–40 minute calling sessions (longer than for coyotes)

• Use low-volume bird or rodent distress calls

• Switch to bobcat vocals after 15–20 minutes

Be patient—many bobcats arrive silently at the 30-minute mark.

2. Use Visual Decoys

Because bobcats hunt with their eyes, movement seals the deal.

• Place decoys 15–25 yards from your stand

• Use subtle, rhythmic motion

• Avoid bright or unnatural colors

Combine with periodic soft calls to simulate a small prey animal in trouble.

3. Hunt Edges & Transitions

Bobcats rarely commit straight across open ground. Focus on:

• Cedar breaks leading to open meadows

• Brushy ditch lines

• Timber edges near rabbit-rich areas

• Desert draws connecting to thicker cover

Position yourself with good visibility while staying blended into your surroundings.

4. Track & Ambush

In snow or damp soil, tracking is extremely productive.

• Follow fresh tracks into cover

• Watch for kill sites or bedding areas

• Set up quietly ahead of the track’s direction

Morning tracks after a fresh snow often lead straight to a cat.

5. Night Hunting (Where Legal)

Many states allow nighttime bobcat pursuit.

• Use thermal or night-vision devices where permitted

• Scan slowly—bobcats may sit and watch before committing

• Identify target positively

Check state regulations closely—for both lighting equipment and seasons.

Calling Techniques for Bobcats

Effective Sounds

• Bird distress (flicker, woodpecker, grouse)

• Rodent squeaks

• Rabbit distress (high-pitch versions preferred)

• Bobcat vocals or caterwauls

Calling Rhythm

• Call gently for 30–60 seconds

• Pause for 2–3 minutes

• Repeat with slight variations

Over-calling can scare bobcats—they prefer subtlety.

Shot Placement & Pelt Care

Best Shots

• Broadside behind the shoulder

• Frontal chest shots at close range

• Avoid spine or shoulder destruction if saving fur

Pelt Preservation Tips

• Use pelt-friendly bullets if possible

• Avoid high-velocity calibers at close distance

• Skin soon after harvest in warm weather

• Cool the hide quickly

• Use breathable game bags

Safety Considerations

• Always confirm your target—cats blend well with timber

• Watch for other predators while calling (coyotes, mountain lions)

• Use safe shooting lanes in thick cover

• Follow firearm rules for night hunting or electronic calls

FAQs: Bobcat Hunting

What’s the best time of day to hunt bobcats?

Late morning and early afternoon—bobcats move more once the day warms up.

Are electronic calls legal for bobcats?

Often yes, but regulations vary by state—always check local rules.

How long should I sit on a stand?

20–40 minutes; bobcats approach slowly and silently.

Do bobcats respond to coyote calls?

Rarely. Prey distress sounds are more effective.

Are bobcats good to eat?

Yes—white meat similar to pork, excellent in stews and grilled dishes.

Plan Your Next Predator Hunt

Bobcat hunting requires patience, subtle calling, and sharp attention to detail. With smart scouting, visual decoys, and long, controlled setups, you can turn one of North America’s most elusive predators into a rewarding trophy or pelt.

If you're ready to plan your next bobcat or predator hunt, compare trusted outfitters through our hunt marketplace and book with confidence.