Cage Trapping Bobcats

[Hyperwrx]

New to the forum and just thought I'd post some pictures of the cage trapping I do here in Arizona. We are limited to using cage traps on public land so I make the best of it. I use the best cages on the market- Briarpatch Cages. Between myself and 2 others we caught over 90 bobcats this last season. I personally let several go as they were either too small or females. Here are some highlights from my 2011 season-

[livetohunt]

Great photos and welcome to the site. How did you make out on the cats at the sale? Prices were looking great for a while looks like they droped some at this last NAFA sale.

[Hyperwrx]

I did not send any of my fur up to NAFA. I am a member of the Arizona Trappers Association and sell my fur at the annual ATA Fur Auction and support that organization. The downside to that is the auction is the first week of February and fur prices typically go up from there. Also there is still a month of trapping left. Next year I think I will get m fur to Fallon, NV.

At the ATA fur sale I had a check cut to me for $2580 and I sold the remainder of the fur I harvested in March to a local buyer for another $1200 I believe. Not a bad take for trapping within an hour of my house. Next year I plan on hitting it a bit harder.

[tman308]

If you don't mind me asking what are the dimensions of your traps and what do you use as a lure?

Good looking cats and man that is alot of bobers.

[shoot4fur]

I would also be interested in the key to your luck, skill....?

[livetohunt]

Yes I would take them up to Fallon sale for sure I think top cat at that sale was right around $1200.00 that one and the sale at Kfalls seam to be the place for selling cat.

[Hyperwrx]

If you don't mind me asking what are the dimensions of your traps and what do you use as a lure?

Good looking cats and man that is alot of bobers.

I really have not been cage trapping that long and prove that it isn't rocket science to catching bobcat. The first step is to use quality cages. Many cages on the market have poor pan design. Much of the pan is dead, meaning it takes a whole lot of pressure to engage it. Also the locks many companies use are cheap and simple. If the cage falls over, the cat can get out. I have some swing door cages, but I invest now in guillotine door style. Some will argue the point but I feel bigger cats feel more comfortable going in bigger cages. The cages I use are in 4 cage clusters so I can get as many as possible in the back of my truck. The sizes are-

Small- 9 x 18 x 42
Medium- 10.5 x 19.5 x 42
Large- 12 x 21 x 42
X-Large- 13.5 x 22.5 x 42

I catch nice bobcats in all of them.

This last season I used Briarpatch bobcat gland lure, Cat-man-do, and Pride Rock in the cage with a call lure 6' above the cage. There are lot of other little secrets I do to entice the bobcat to notice my set and go into the cages.

As I said I am far from a pro and feel fortunate I live in an area with a high population of well spotted bobcats.

[livetohunt]

I really like the looks of them Briarpatch cages looks like he knows what he is doing and makes them with a few new things the others are not using. I have been making my own traps just due to the fact that shipping is so much to get them shipped out here. How do you like his lure?

[Hyperwrx]

livetohunt, Sorry I didn't see your question sooner. Shipping is always the downside of purchasing cages online. I think shipping on a 4 cage cluster is about $70.

The Briarpatch Lure worked well for me this last season. I used it in conjunction with Cat-Man-Do and Pride Rock. I always used Briarpatch Desert Call in the air 5-6' up above the cage as a call lure.

[bearhunter611]

Where can i purchase one of these traps from? I build my own, but would like to copy this design.

[livetohunt]

Just look up Briarpatch cage traps you will find them.

[bearhunter611]

Ok thanks, will do!

[Hyperwrx]

Bob does not care if people want to copy his trap design. Call him up and order a cluster of 3 cages so you can see how they fit inside each other and you get the exact dimensions. I actually tried making my own cages and found it was cheaper to just purchase them but some of you guys might have more experience making cages than me and have the tools necessary.

Good luck.

[livetohunt]

Im not sure how you found it cheaper just to buy them. I can see for the guys without the time or skill to make them being better off. It runs me about 1/2 or less once you add in shipping to make my own traps. Now if I started making my traps without a frame, out of just wire like the ones were talking about here I would be able to do it for better then half.

[slowandeasy]

hyperwrx are you busy selling traps?