Dogs treed bobcat next to my coop

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:
That's not a bobcat, more likely a feral housecat or fisher or something...

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
Ummm.....that's not a bobcat. Looks more like a domesticated cat that might be named "Bob" though!!

 

[Fritatta]

thanks - forgot about the "bobbed" tail........

so i guess we'll be catching another neighbor cat... and I know how to trap those!

 

[centrarchid]

Bobcats are not a consistent issue despite being a great deal more common and widespread than public thinks. I have seen live adults on the college campus in center of Jefferson City, MO and picked dead kittens off road behind Wal-mart just a couple miles away. Despite this, people are surprised the cats are in area even though they may be stalking rabbits and squirrels in their back yard. To my knowldge I have never lost a chicken to a bobcat yet they seem partial to my neighbors geese. Just because they are around does not mean they will cause damage. I like OP have dog(s) which may be part of reason bobcats have not been a pest. It does not take a very large dog to keep bobcats at bay, even adult bobcats. Also someone indicated more than one cat possible. Very likely if directly observed animal partly grown since kittens stay together and with momma until about 90% grown.

 

[jcatblum]

I pretty sure it was a juvenile cat, 15-20 pounds. From the house going up the tree I thought it was an over grown racoon! When I got closer saw it was a bobcat. I imagine it had a sibling or momma out with it When I was about 10 yrs old my parents actually found a bobcat kitten brought it home & we kept it for several yrs (they had it fix, declawed, and teeth capped). I personally would not keep one as a pet, but for some reason my parents thought it was a good idea!
Most of my coops are actually cattle panel hoops. I know that even my nonmovable coops could be dug under. Predators are everywhere, I have found snakes in my own house & I would like to think it is predator proof, but if a predator wants in they are going to get in!
I will continue to work on predator proofing & now I want a deer camera so I can see what else is out there! We have had this property for a yr but only living here full time for a month. When I moved out here the biggest fear I had was the coyotes. There is a creak on one side of our fence & other side has a pond. So lots of critters pass through for water I am sure.

If I caught the bobcat tearing up my coop or my dogs then I might be tempted to shoot him but for now he is minding his business so I will mind my own. I did consider setting traps but honestly what would I do with it after I trapped it! When I lived in town I called he city & they would come get what you catch. Now I would have to deal with the trap on my own. Doesnt sound fun!

 

[paperdragonfarm]

I've had the worst trouble keeping my coops secure this past year. It was a BIG learning experience and about the only predator we didn't have a problem with was the bobcat. I lost my babies to racoons, skunks, mink, crow and fox but the ladycat who whelps on our property hasn't come near. They aren't the bravest of the big cats, and thank goodness for that! I think the baby was just being curious and got a very clear message about territory.