bobcat and lion in az. and new mexico ?

[slowandeasy]

i am curious. the guy's that bobcat hunt seem to be way ahead of us at rigging both lion and bobs in other parts of the country. was wondering if anyone has given this any serious effort, and with what kind of results? i personally think it is just about impossible. but would not discredit anyone that might have accomplished it really if it is as i think and is not accomplishable. i would be interested if any one is having steady success treeing the bobs on dry ground. as i have been trying to fool with them here, but it is way more of a challenge than other parts of the country i have been in. thanks in advance

[oswald]

I know of a fella that primarily hunts bobcats in AZ and does quite well.
I have wanted to go hunt with him but have been unable to reach him
for 8 months or so.

[Lookin' Up!]

I have had dogs rig lion 2 times in the past. And both times they caught the lion in less than 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. So the lion must of been right there. I think it is better to road the dogs to strike a track or the old fashion way walking. I have had some luck lately by roading the dogs to strike a track, just go very slow so the dogs hunt off of the road. I only road them in the best spots then load them up and move on and do it again, they are free cast just like walking or riding horse back. My dogs seem to be catching on to the new way of hunting. I find I can cover about 3 or 4 times the country this way, instead of walking one canyon I can now check 3 or 4. I look for roads in the bottom of canyons and roads along the top of a ridge or along the main ridge line of a mountain range is one of my favorites and of course any saddle I will also get out and check for tracks and scraps. I also will drag the road if I plan on coming back soon. I have had the best luck checking the same road for three or four days it usually pays off. That is how I have had good luck with lately, and it will work till I can steal or borrow a horse or mule to hunt off of. I think a person will burn a lot of gas to rig a lion, but I think if you do it long enough it will happen.

[Mike Leonard]

Looking Up,

I think you are doing things right and that is excellent advice!

We have rigged a few bobs and lions here but like you said they were generally pretty close. We have had better luck in the low elevation Sonoran Desert country catching bobs on dirt than in the very high desert mountains with thin air and wicked fickle thermals.

[Big Mike]

I have, and know of others that have rigged a few lions and bobbers over the years. However I dont think it would be a consistant way to catch in this area. I would think to have alot of success rigging one would need denser lion and bobber populations. if lions were as thick as bears i guy might do ok with some good riggers.

[pegleg]

If we could hunt at night I would dang sure give rigging more effort I know it would pay off better on bobcat then lion. I prefer to road hunt my dogs through a new area if it has the roads first to see what they think. However we just don't have the game or road system like most states. Most of your rigged cats here will be pop ups or nearly so. Also the wear and tear on your truck can be high. I can't think of many areas that have been productive for me that aren't also with very rough to non existent roads. I road my dogs a lot any way its a bit easier for me to start younger dogs this way and get them handling off the leash so to speak easier I try to keep them in areas that there IS a good possibility of hitting a runable bobcat but I also stage trainers and trash breaking scenarios this way. Its easier quicker and more certain. One issue with this for me is greyfox seem to hunt earlier in the evening and later in the morning then bobcats and aren't above sassing some hound pups. Especially this time of year as are the coyotes. coyotes are more truck leary but both are less vocal when the hunter is on foot or horseback in more remote areas. In my experience. If I had access to fields or other ground with good roads I would road the dogs more but as for straight rigging you may travel to fast for that initial strike during most conditions here. Just my 2 cents