My daughter and I were sitting in a double ladder stand this evening. Cold front is moving in and it was pretty breezy. We didn't see any deer at all, but did get to watch this cool bobcat. He ended up right below us. It is the first bobcat I have ever seen in the wild. My daughter and I were really thrilled!
(http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/46141/2599854560049369050S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2599854560049369050zfYCfj)
(http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/17348/2492489280049369050S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2492489280049369050QNOubg)
:thumbsup:
Awesome encounter.
you got to love tree stands....
Thats a realy cool colored cat, no spots or real light ones . Nice job in getting it with the camera.
Pretty cool Lefty. Like the coloration of it. Got two located here in Jefferson county and at least one has my name on it as soon as season opens.
Cool! I've only seen a few backsides disappearing into the brush, never a whole cat.
Great memories Chris!! I bet your daughter was excited!!
are bobcats not legal to shoot in iowa?
Good job, Dad!
That will be a keeper of a memory for your daughter, and you!
Killdeer :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Perfect !!!
:thumbsup:
I've seen a few while hunting, but never an up close and personal like that.. Great picture and story. Congratulations
Way cool!!!
COOL! Thats close to ya,your daughter must sit really still. :clapper:
I saw my first one from a farm pickup goin to check cows with my Dad,haven't forgotten it after a lot of years.
Wow what a encounter
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by broketooth:
are bobcats not legal to shoot in iowa?
There are a few reasons that I didn't and maybe wouldn't shoot it. Number one of course, season is not in. Most of Iowa is closed to bobcat hunting and although I hunt in a county that it is allowed, season doesn't start till Nov 6th and there is a 250 statewide quota. So by the time that they get a nice heavy winter fur on, the quota is always met. Plus, as I said, this is the first one I have ever seen. I have hunted this farm for nearly 20 years. Deer hunting, bow and gun, squirrel, turkey, etc. I have spent some time in this area and this is the first one I have ever seen and given that, I don't know if I would shoot one or not, even if season was in. Now if their population continues to grow, then I would definately be looking to take one. But for now, the experience and being able to share it with my daughter was my trophy.
That is awesome! Nice event to keep a kid coming back to the woods.
I know seeing a bobcat is a thrill, but I hope you get a chance to see a mountain lion because that is the ultimate rush! :thumbsup: I've seen just two during my 46 years of bowhunting and although they were about 20 yards away, I let both of them walk. Made me feel good to let them walk too.
Lefty, very well said. Lifetime memories for you and your Daughter :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Good deal Lefty. A memory you or your Daughter will never forget.
We have a lot of them here in south Ga. Somewhat smaller and not near as "fuzzy" due to the climate I guess.I`ve killed one and had a lot more chances but one mounted is plenty.I enjoy seeing tham they move so calm and just kinda "glide" around.
Great pics! I have had them in close on two occasions-once under 10 feet-could not smell me; but no camera at hand either. They just aren't on my "ok to shoot list" regardless of season. :archer:
Chris, my daughter and were camping down by Farmington last week and we saw a bobcat when were out scoutiing one evening, first bobcat I have ever seen in the wild.
doug77
That's awesome, Lefty! I had one sneak underneath my stand not far from the area where we went stumping a few years back!
i saw one in our cabin in tennessee when i was seven years old.scary thing at 4 in the morning when you are seven.didn't sleep at all that night.thats cool you and your daughter both got to see it.lots of luck this season,steve
I have no desire to shoot one; don't eat it don't shoot it I guess. I've seen a number of them while deer hunting, always a highlight. One December morning a few years ago I was hunting northern Wis after a 2-3" snowfall. The temp was about 5 degrees or so. Found an area where the snow was all torn up with deer hair and deer tracks everywhere. Found one big patch of deer hide that was about 6" x 10" and a set of bobcat tracks leaving the area, but no bobcat tracks entering. The only thing I can think is that the bobcat stayed up in a tree overnight and nailed the deer as it walked under the tree he was in. No blood, but lots of hair and deer tracks. It looked like it must have been quite a fight. The bobcat went hungry, but I was thinking how cold that deer must have been with all that hide missing.
Dave
Great encounter...And yes he doesnt look to have any spots.
Cool Cat!
Pretty cool, I saw a Carolina panther once with my uncle it was awesome. I know I am going to get ragged on this but it looks just like a cougar, mountain lion whatever you want to call it but not as tall but length wise similiar.
That is cool! it looks perfect size for a back quiver. :goldtooth:
Awesome! I love that you go out with your little girl. My Dad use to let me tag along pheasant hunting. It helped shape who I am.
I hope to get a Bobcat at my place this year. We have them thick in my timber. We no longer have rabbits(very sad for my little boy). The DNR have trapped a few cats and bugged them. They sit in my drive and monitor them. I have heard that Bobcat in a crockpot with BBQ is great:)
Good luck this season!
K
Great experience for you both. It's hard to tell, but appears to be pretty good size.
QuoteOriginally posted by S.C. Hunter:
Pretty cool, I saw a Carolina panther once with my uncle it was awesome. I know I am going to get ragged on this but it looks just like a cougar, mountain lion whatever you want to call it but not as tall but length wise similiar.
How did you know it was a Carolina panther, was it wearing its football jersey?
:)
Panther, cougar, mountain lion, catamount, etc. are all the same species.
Cool bobcat pics, it was right under you!
Awesome that you got pics. I saw my first one ever on Wed (9/29). I was afraid to try to get my camera out. I watched it for about 4 minutes as it sat in front of me at 10 yards, then stalked a squirrel. Your's got real close.
Chris, what a great story! Keep telling your daughter that story over the years, and keep showing her the pics. She needs to tell her kids: "One day your Granddad and I were up in a tree stand and saw a bobcat ..." Cool white spots on the back of that bobcat's ears too. Think I heard/read those spots allow the kittens to follow Mama bobcat running through the woods at night better. :thumbsup: :clapper:
It is interesting to hear how many people have not seen one or have only seen 1 in a lifetime. We saw 2 last week while scouting a new area. The coastal range here is thick with them.
I think it is really cool to share an experience like that with your daughter.
Great story and congrats getting the picks. We have alot around here and I was able to get these great picks last spring shed hunting.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/Boone%20and%20Crocket%20sheds/bobcat3.jpg)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/Boone%20and%20Crocket%20sheds/bobcat1.jpg)
Don't forget to look up sometimes!!
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/Boone%20and%20Crocket%20sheds/bobcat.jpg)
Tracy
Great photo Chris....I'm surprised you were able to get the camera out without it seeing you, their pretty slick! :notworthy:
Great pictures, thanks for sharing.
I have had a bobcat close to the stand two times and only one encounter with a lion.
You got your trophy. The shared memory of this siting with your daughter will live on and on.
Great photo!! I would suspect it was a tom due to its thick muscle mass.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Very cool!
:thumbsup:
Awesome pics!