Bobcat finally crossed the line

[CaretakerCarol]

I was hoping that the easy access to wild critters would keep the Bobcat satiated, but sadly, after five years of poultry, I had my first predator kill (if I don't count the 2 my own dogs killed). He is a beautiful cat, but now that he is freely coming over the fence, it is time for him to go - permanently. He got two roosters this morning before we were up. We integrated a nomad flock about a month ago and cannot get them into the coop at night. They roost high up in a tree. This has left my whole flock of chickens and turkeys vulnerable.

He came back into the yard a couple more times this morning but left as soon as we came out and made our presence known. The birds are in an area right off the house so once we hear the ruckus, we can make an appearance at the door and he calmly leaves back over the fence. I hope it doesn't take too long to trap him.

Sorry Nugget and Foghorn. You were both good roosters, and I am certain you were caught defending your ladies.

 

[mowin]

Sorry to hear about your roos. Hopefully it doesn't take to long to eliminate the bobcat.

 

[Fontaine]

I was hoping that the easy access to wild critters would keep the Bobcat satiated, but sadly, after five years of poultry, I had my first predator kill (if I don't count the 2 my own dogs killed). He is a beautiful cat, but now that he is freely coming over the fence, it is time for him to go - permanently. He got two roosters this morning before we were up. We integrated a nomad flock about a month ago and cannot get them into the coop at night. They roost high up in a tree. This has left my whole flock of chickens and turkeys vulnerable.

He came back into the yard a couple more times this morning but left as soon as we came out and made our presence known. The birds are in an area right off the house so once we hear the ruckus, we can make an appearance at the door and he calmly leaves back over the fence. I hope it doesn't take too long to trap him.

Sorry Nugget and Foghorn. You were both good roosters, and I am certain you were caught defending your ladies.

How are you going to trap him?I have a similar problem and want him gone permanently

 

[CaretakerCarol]

I bought an animal trap sized to hold a bobcat from Wilco (local feed store like TSC) and am going to use a commercial bobcat bait. Fingers crossed. It is very stressful watching for him to come over the fence, and my poor goats had to spend the whole day locked up in the barn.

Also, it took several hours, but we were able to get most of the new flock members into the coop and closed up. There are four that went way up into a tall tree. Hoping that the spindly branches they are roosting on protect them from climbing cat.

 

[mowin]

I bought an animal trap sized to hold a bobcat from Wilco (local feed store like TSC) and am going to use a commercial bobcat bait. Fingers crossed. It is very stressful watching for him to come over the fence, and my poor goats had to spend the whole day locked up in the barn.

Also, it took several hours, but we were able to get most of the new flock members into the coop and closed up. There are four that went way up into a tall tree. Hoping that the spindly branches they are roosting on protect them from climbing cat.

Make sure you anchor the trap. They can thrash around, tip the trap over and escape. You've probably only have one chance to catch him. Set the trap not to trip. Let him take the bait a couple times to become used to the trap. Lots of times they stretch out and reach for the bait and set the trap off. If he's not fully inside, the trap won't latch and he'll back out.

 

[CaretakerCarol]

Make sure you anchor the trap. They can thrash around, tip the trap over and escape. You've probably only have one chance to catch him. Set the trap not to trip. Let him take the bait a couple times to become used to the trap. Lots of times they stretch out and reach for the bait and set the trap off. If he's not fully inside, the trap won't latch and he'll back out.

Thank You!

 

[Mrjamz]

I bought an animal trap sized to hold a bobcat from Wilco (local feed store like TSC) and am going to use a commercial bobcat bait. Fingers crossed. It is very stressful watching for him to come over the fence, and my poor goats had to spend the whole day locked up in the barn.

Also, it took several hours, but we were able to get most of the new flock members into the coop and closed up. There are four that went way up into a tall tree. Hoping that the spindly branches they are roosting on protect them from climbing cat.

I would also hang a some feathers or something that would move around in the wind above it. The movement will attract it closer to your set

 

[CaretakerCarol]

I would also hang a some feathers or something that would move around in the wind above it. The movement will attract it closer to your set

Good idea. Sadly, he took two of the four that we couldn't get in the coop.

Such a helpless feeling.

 

[mowin]

Good idea. Sadly, he took two of the four that we couldn't get in the coop.

Such a helpless feeling.

Not everyone is willing, or are prohibited from, but I'd shoot it if that's a option.

 

[CaretakerCarol]

Shooting him is our plan. In WA, we are both willing and permitted to kill wildlife that is threatening or harming animals or people on your property. We want to trap him first because the property is only 5 acres and surrounded by others. In a trap we can ensure that the bullet only hits its intended target.

He has been around for a couple of years but has never come over into the fenced area until this week. We had always closed up all of our animals overnight but with this abandoned flock we adopted about a month ago, that changed. We were not smart and allowed the tree roosting to continue. We have invited trouble. He is going to pay the price, but we cannot allow him to continue. It isn't only our chickens, it is also the small animals of everybody in our general area.

On the bright side, he ended up only getting one hen, not two, last night.