Predator Xtreme - Feb 2012
Baiting For Predators for later use A busy fox thus preoccupied with banking for the future makes an easy target Cover scents are useful when baiting fox especially when hunting from the ground Use rabbit scent skunk essence fruit based odors or any scent that does not alarm the animal Certainly do not use coyote or bobcat urine as this is likely to intimidate a fox and cause him to vacate the area If no fox show up at the bait at dawn or dusk consider using a crow call to attract their attention A fox trusts the eyes of a flock of crows and will come in to a bait site more confidently if they think crows are utilizing the bait as well Add a couple of crow decoys nearby for added security as you call One year while using this method I was burning up the crow call at mid morning and looked down to see a prime red fox standing right beside me staring at the bait and working his way around me through the hedgerow I actually had to wait for him to get farther away so I could shoot him with my shotgun without damaging his hide In late winter expect to see two fox traveling together In some cases it may be worth your while to let one fox come in and start to feed while you wait for its partner to come in Its not impossible to double on fox when circumstances allow Fog rain and light snow are excellent conditions for two timing late winter reds and grays Bobcats are a challenge for any hunter regardless of technique These shy reclusive felines are susceptible to winter baiting but only on their own terms Neither shy nor frantic in nature bobcats have the patience of the Biblical character Job and trust nothing I have seen bobcats come in to deer kills and sit for over an hour just watching the carcass Theyll move another 10 feet and sit for another hour even though no other creatures are around 78 www PredatorXtreme com FEBRUARY 2012 To pique a bobcats interest try hanging a small bird feather or tuft of fur on a length of 2 poundtest monofilament directly over the bait Anything bigger than a salmon fly is unnecessary A bobcat will often jump at and play with grasshoppers or crickets just for fun so theres no need to overdo the size of your decoys Curiosity killed the cat is an old saying based on fact so give an incoming bob something to focus on and let his killer instinct do him in Fortunately wind is irrelevant when bobcat hunting which means the hunter can take a stand anywhere nearby Treestands are ideal for bobcat hunting over bait as long as you remember to sit still and make no noise nothing escapes the eyes and ears of a bobcat Because scent is not a major aspect of bobcat food sourcing its best to place baits near brush but far enough into the open to attract crows jays and other scavengers to the site Bobcats may not have a good sense of smell but they are alert and intuitive just like any house cat When they see birds mice squirrels and other small creatures in action they will come in to investigate At times a few rabbit squalls or excited crow calls will bring a bobcat into range Dont doubt that the bobcat heard your calls from that instant he knows where you are and most likely what your name is and where you went to high school The key to winter bobcat baiting success is to get his attention and then put his focus on the bait or feather attractant Patience is the hunters best weapon against these incredibly canny felines In areas with high populations of predators its best to keep a bait site well stocked with fresh road kills beaver carcasses raccoons dead cattle or goat parts Theres a steady fresh supply of bait available no matter where you hunt For road kills contact the local game warden For meat parts try the local butcher hell fill a barrel with bones and gristle for you usually at no charge Place your baits where predators will feel safe coming in during legal shooting hours and give them all the room your rifle shotgun or bow will allow The rest is up to you Portable Blinds Winter bait hunters who need a little more comfort than a treestand provides may want to consider hunting out of a portable blind Not only does a blind offer protection from the cold and wind it allows the hunter the opportunity to move around or get into a comfortable shooting position without being seen Most blinds are large enough for two hunters and all their gear including guns backpacks portable chairs shooting sticks or bipods binoculars calls and other necessities Even the largest blind is small enough to be comfortably heated by any of the popular camping or duck blind heaters that run on bottled propane To be most effective blinds should be placed 200 yards or more upwind of a bait site so that incoming predators will be easy to spot Also it may be a good idea to set several blinds around a bait site pre season so that the target animals have time to get used to them This also makes it easier to take advantage of shifting winter winds because its easier to change blinds than having to disassemble and move a frozen frosty blind in the dark Suppliers of quality hunting blinds include Ameristep Inc at www ameristep com Bass Pro Shops at www bassproshops com and Cabelas at www cabelas com The latter companies also offer a good selection of chairs heaters and other accessories
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