rigging bobcats-best conditions

[robbyson99]

I live in maine. I've never heard of anyone rigging for bobcats up here. Our season starts december 1st and we usually won't have good snow till the end of december beginning of january. Its usually fairly cold the month of december. I guess my question is what's too cold to rig a cat. I'd say its 10 to 40 degrees most days. It would give me a whole month more to run a cat so I wonder why its not heard of up here in maine. Or talked about anyways? I know it can be done I'm just wondering if the climate here makes it more difficult to rig a cat. Thanks. Corey

[George Streepy]

I try not to hunt in snow. I prefer to use rig dogs and hunt what we call dry ground. Granted it isn't as dry as the southwest. When the temp starts to drop down into single digits it is getting hard on the dogs. I try not to rig the dogs below roughly 15 degrees. Not that I am checking a thermometer. I will just keep an eye on the dogs. Some seem to do a little better than others in the cold. Switching out dogs on the box can always help. Keeping them watered in the cold is always important. I have had as many problems with dogs getting dehydrated in the cold as in the heat. It takes alot of energy for them to stay warm. I am sure it can be done, maybe it is the colder temps that deters other hunters from doing it. Our temps range similar to what you are describing and that is how everyone does it here.

George Streepy
(253)266-2130

[robbyson99]

Well I think I'm going to give it a shot this year. I've only got one running dog right now and a pup and I've never used him as a rig dog so its hard to say if he will open or not. I know he opens right up on every cat track I put him on and goes insaine at hit bear bait sites. I guess time will tell. I've just never heard of guys doing it up here for bobcats. Thank you. Corey

[gooddog]

rigging for bobs is what you want when there is no snow.
a good bob dog will skreem on a bob and you will know for sure what it strikes
if you want cat dogs you want one that will strike a stub from the truck
i ve seen dogs strike a stub track in the snow before the dogs got to track in the road from the truck, this has happened a number of times

[Tim Pittman]

During pursuit and harvest season,70-80% of our cats are started off the rig.In cold weather we use waterproof weatherbetta insulated dog blankets on them for rigging,as we hunt no matter the weather.When evrybody else is home watching football,we're out trying to get a track started.I personally rig'em in any weather,but as George stated,I use caution when it starts really getting cold.As far as dehydration goes,I put lot's of water on my dog feed year round.
Tim 541-912-6464

[robbyson99]

well i guess i wont know what my male will do until i try it. he opens up hard on leash when i show him a cat track so hopefully he will strike from the truck. noone does it up here from what ive heard.i think this would extend our season by atleast a month. the snow isnt usually good till janurary and our season starts december 1st. i really appreciate the responses guys. it really puts confidence in me to try it this year. thank you


corey robinson