[distra]

The attack happened about a mile from our place. :what: Last year our neighbor had a run with a cat of some sort at our property line. I guess we will be watching the woods a little more closely. The teen was on the news tonight and he clearly had claw marks on his leather jacket.

Link: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/homepage/x1993300627http://


LEBANON — State environmental officials are being dispatched to Lebanon this evening to investigate an unconfirmed report of a bobcat attack on Bartlett Road.

Dennis Schain, a spokesman Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection, said environmental conservation officers were heading to Lebanon after being summoned by state police. Schain said they are investigating the possibility that a teenager was scratched.

The incident is believed to have taken place between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Schain said it would be unusual for a bobcat to act in such a manner, but that they investigate fully any time a person is injured by an animal.

[Orthonym]

Rabid, maybe, was it?

Most bobcats would rather eat vegetables than go near a human.

[ScottG1911]

I use 308 on all my varmints from coyotes to woodchucks:D

[Timthinker]

Years ago, my father and I ventured onto some desolate family property armed with a 12 gauge shotgun and a .32 revolver. Neither of us felt apprehensive about what we might encounter. I felt particularly safe since I carried the shotgun.:D Yes, there was the possibility of encountering bobcats. But I have no problem believing that a 12 gauge loaded with slugs and shot would keep us safe. The moral of this story is simple: a 12 gauge will protect your from cats large or small.


Timthinker

[Kind of Blued]

We have some sort of mountain cat around here, and I've heard a few stories of people's dogs being attacked as prey.

So, when I take my dog outside late at night, I have a Sig P226 in .40 S&W with Lasergrips and a Mag Lite tucked in my robe. So there's my answer!

Apparently you can be prosecuted for killing a wild animal in defense of your dog, as your dog is not your "life or limb"... :rolleyes:

So my plan is to run to protect my dog, and if the big cat doesn't run off, I shoot it once it is close enough to be a threat to me. Not very fair, huh, kitty?

Usually at least once a week, while I'm smoking a cigarette, waiting for my dog to do her business, I exhale cigarette smoke down along the beam from my lasergrips at night. It looks really neat!

[Dustinthewind]

I would second the 12 gauge.

[critter]

I can testify that the .308 as well as a .300 Win Mag are both effective!

[Lon371]

Are you hunting it? Or looking to protect against it?
We have had a few sited here in southern Indiana, but no face to face encounters. Coyotes are becoming our issue lately. I have a couple cures for that(H&R .44 & M44)

[ADKWOODSMAN]

As a fan of author Peter Hathaway Capstick, he always went after a wounded cat dressed in his leather jacket and carrying a 12 ga. double 00 loaded shotgun. I think the 12 ga. is always a good plan.

[springmom]

When we're on our ranch, I just carry my usual sidearm (usually a Kimber Ultra Carry II). If we start seeing more hog sign, I'll take the .30-30 with me on my walks.

But a kitty, even a Big Mean Kitty, can go down just as well with a .22. Not the thickest skins in the world, there.

Springmom

[Dravur]

I was a Bobcat, Montana State and I resent all this hatred towards Bobcats. Yeah, they don't have the greatest Football team anymore, but hey, we beat CU a couple years ago. That has to account for something.

I mean, come on, shooting a defenseless football player, just because he is a Bobcat, well that is too much. Next, you will be asking what caliber for Grizzlies. Now, just because the University of Montana Grizzlies offend even me, there is no reason to shoot them.

Ok, maybe that one is valid, but leave my poor Bobcats alone...

Oh, you mean the actual furry critter bobcat.....

never mind...

[cassandrasdaddy]

only gonna get one shot
i startled a bobcat once and it took off so fast i barley got a glimpse. if it hadn't paused at the fence line for a second i wouldn't been able to positively identify it

[RLsnow]

.50 cal...you gotta make sure!!

[Mr White]

For a bobcat? Are you kidding me? 12 ga, .308, .44 mag are all WAY overkill. .223 is more than enough. A .22 would do the job with a headshot.
The problem with shooting a bobcat is that it's usually running full tilt in the opposite direction on the rare occasion that you see one.

[bogie]

O, hai...

Guys, what I'm worried about are lolcats...

The intolerable cuteness... OMG!

www.icanhascheezburger.com

[waterhouse]

While possibly not ideal, and perhaps not even humane, I know of bird hunters who have taken them at close range (under 15 yards) with a 20 gauge open choke loaded with 7 shot. I don't think they are super tough.

It isn't uncommon for the dogs to point at one in heavy brush, since the cats are also hunting the birds and are sometimes close to making their kill. Quail hunters always talk of the thrill of the covey rise, but based on heart rate I think the thrill of the bobcat scamper is probably more exciting.

[takhtakaal]

O, hai...

Guys, what I'm worried about are lolcats...

The intolerable cuteness... OMG!

www.icanhascheezburger.com

http://www.steve88t.com/images/lolcat-funny-picture-moderator.jpg

[distra]

Are you hunting it? Or looking to protect against it?

Not really hunting it, unless I see it close to the house. The incident was an attack in the evening and my guess is rabies. They are usually quite skiddish of humans, but I brought the 12ga down from the closet just in case. My concern is my 2.5yr son who is not big enough to fend off the cat. We have also had coyotes attack a few small childeren around here. I guess I'll keep a closer eye on the boy and make sure the dog is with us as well. I was thinking the .223 would work great, but kitty might be moving a bit fast and the 12ga would be a little easier to hit it with.

[Colt46]

And was amazed at how small they are. The one I saw was maybe 25 lbs. A good swift kick in the teeth ought to be enough.

I saw one on a community trail in the heart of Silicon Valley on a cold, windy October day. Totally floored me.

[MCgunner]

Man eating bobcats. What's next? :rolleyes: Well, I do remember Jimmy Carter getting attacked by a rabbit.

.22 Rimfire is plenty for any bobcat and it don't need to be a head shot. I have seen 'em shot that were over 50 lbs, but 30 is more the norm. I think Morris the cat would rival that.

[K3]

It's been my experience that bobcats are pretty fragile. I've never failed to kill one with a .223, even at ranges approaching 200 yards. This is with a 60gr VMax leaving the muzzle at 2600fps.

[saddlebum]

i've shot quite a few with a 22mag. for defense prolly a shotgun

[351 WINCHESTER]

It really boils down to how you're going to hunt a bobcat and your hunting/shooting skills. Some prefer a .22 or .22 mag. and others prefer a shotgun. Whatever works for you. Bobcats are not hard to kill.

[eliphalet]

Well, I do remember Jimmy Carter getting attacked by a rabbit. Bet this is one of that bunny's descendants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX2HMOO9zi0

Any 22 centerfire should be plenty for Bobcat or if close and on the move a shotgun with large pellets to small buckshot.

[MCgunner]

That's a funny bunny. :D

[rhubarb]

Last week I went to the shooting range one evening. The gate has a padlock that must be unlocked and re-locked upon entry. I unlocked the gate, pushed it open, and got back in my truck. A bobcat stepped out on the road halfway between me and the firing line 200 yards away. The firing line where there were people blasting away. The cat sat down in the middle of the road and watched the shooters. If he hadn't moved at the last moment, he'd have been taken down by a 5000lb bullet.

[achildofthesky]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=40452&d=1148649648

[paintballdude902]

i use either a .30-30 or a 12guage

then again all of my bobcat kills have been out of luck i was always out deer hunting and it was a slow day and the little guys walked out

except 1 when a friend and i were dove hunting and one ran out put 2 barrels of bird shot into it then 1 more of double 00buck that little kitty wont go any where near the chickens again

[wolf_from_wv]

Something that uses a .224" diameter bullet, or has enough pellets to cover a bobcat sized area...

[smokingun45]

You can killem with a .22 RF, just perhaps not too fast, I shot one here at the ranch last month that was stalking my Jack Russell out by the corrals. Hit him with a .223 (40gr HVMX @3400) and vaporized him.....he expired instantly. Scared the s**t out of the dog, however, & it took a little time & coaxing before he wanted to come inside...:what::scrutiny:

[Orthonym]

Oh, c'mon, as I wrote above, non-rabid bobcats tend to avoid teh danejeruss hyumins.

I mind a guy I used to know, very slightly, who somehow managed to get possession of a bobkitten. It was a sweety-pie of a kitten, but then it grew up, and decided to go off on its own.

Hint: grown bobcats can't stand the presence of other bobcats, let alone humans.

Well, this guy figured the kitty was still hanging around, and put out food for it. It came back, once, and allowed him to pick it up in his arms.

It then proceeded to use its special cat nerves in its fangs to feel for one of the joints in his thumb, and bite down hard, and chew, all the while looking up at him cheerfully and happily.

Reminds me of the time I got my ear bit by a margay. I think he liked me, but he was a wild animal, and I spooked him, so he bit me.


All the above is aside; If a bobcat approaches you, it is not a normal bobcat, and probably rabid.

[DZL HOG]

Most of the folks Ive heard of hunting cats, hunt them like hunting coons. .22lr is a plenty to get em out the tree, then if its still alive when it hits the ground, the pack of hounds will finish the job.

Matt

[BamaHoosier]

12ga,7.62x39,22lr,.308...my varmint apothecary:D

[3pairs12]

Thats all you need is that rabbit. Thats good stuff there.

[FALZOO-XD]

We had acouple that were rabid down here in Carolinas

[Timthinker]

While a 12 gauge shotgun is overkill for a bobcat, the 12 is an all purpose gun in my book. Yes, it can protect against bobcats or varmints that walk on two legs.:D The beauty of the 12 is it will do the job on smaller animals.


Timthinker

[retrieverman]

I have seen several bobcats over the years but only killed a couple, and the last one was this fall. I was hog hunting and had a big cat come by me, and I shot him at 80 yards with a Blaser R-93 308 using handloaded 165 gr Corelokt bullets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/retrieverman/Picture005Large.jpg

[BIGR]

Shot one with a 20 gauge shotgun with no. 6 shot (I was crow hunting)in 1981. First shot knocked it down and had to finish with 2nd shot. Shot another one (28 LBS) a few years ago with a 12 gauge 7/12 shot (I was bird hunting and it came sneaking through the woods). I have to say they are not the easiest thing to kill with bird shot.

[marksman13]

Anything that would kill a coyote will kill a bobcat. Given my choice I'll take a 223 or a 12 gauge with 3 1/2" #4s.

[Savage Shooter]

if youre looking to save on fur damage go with .22mag
If youre looking to stop the thing dead in its tracks 12 00 buck shot to the head bye bye kitty

[pat86323]

i cant believe no one has suggested 17 hmr, it is actually a devastating round, i have personally seen coyotes die in rapid fashion at approaching 200 yards with pretty much no fur damage.