I have a huge bobcat on my place and I really would like to hunt it. I've never called one up before and I think it would be a blast to get one. My dilemma is that I really dont want to get it mounted. I'd be happy with just the experience and some cool pictures. Anyway I kinda feel bad about hunting such a cool animal and not doing anything with it. I know it doesnt make sense but I feel like its kind of unethical. Then again I am absolutely sure a dead bobcat doesn't care whether he is stuffed, eaten, or thrown away. Thoughts?

Have you thought about making a rug out of it? I've shot one bobcat in my life and had the hide tanned. It lays on my desk in my office. I have passed on 2 others for the sole reason that their coats weren't very pretty and I didn't want to shoot one just to kill it. However, if I ever see one that has a beautiful coat (like my dad's), he will be getting mounted. I have always felt that I hunt for a reason (meat). Very seldom does something get shot and not get used. Exception - coyotes. Most of the pigs I shoot at minimum get their hams and backstraps removed. Good luck with your decision, unfortunately it isn't an easy one. However, do what makes you happy.

Where are you from? If you kill it ill take the hide!

Yeah. Giving away the hide was one thought but its the summer and his coat wasnt looking so great. Wasnt sure I'd find someone interested. FYI I'm in San Antonio and my lease is in Dilley.

The hide tanned would be cool! I am sure there are some good looking mounts out there but most of them I have seen they look like the ears or eyes are wrong! I would shoot the cat and go with tanned mount and maybe euro the skull.

I like that idea. Sounds like a pretty cool combo.

Shoot it in the face and then decide what to do with it.

x2

Personally I would not shoot it if I am not gonna eat it (other than yotes and jackrabbits)"and some times I have been known to let them walk". Just a personal preference! When you get my age and have had a couple of close calls you like to see things live.

Take a caller, decoy and a camera. If you can call him into shotgun range, then just shoot him with the camera and then post up the pics here. The thrill is calling them in close, so what's the difference in a bullet or lens? This way, he's still there come fall when he's all furred out and you can make a rug of him then.


Chupa

We see several bobcats every year on your lease. We think they are very interesting to watch and enjoy seeing them. I let a friend shoot one a few years ago and he had it mounted but as My wife and I really don't want one mounted we are just happy to watch them. The last i heard a full body mount was really expensive if its done correctly. IMO I say don't shoot it but thats just my 2 cents worth.

X2 on the euro mount. Its cheap and you dont have to worry about a bad mount.

This

You don't have to kill it. Just photograph it and enjoy it. Post pics and let others enjoy it. Yes, it is unethical to kill something just for the sake of killing.

Sorry, but have to disagree with this statement.
Alot depends on other factors. Like, if it's killin chickens out of your coup, depreciating your wild turkeys, takin out your quail, ect...............
They have been known to even kill a fawn or newborn calf.
I say kill it. One way or another, you will be doing somebody or something a favor!!

how much do you think it would cost, roughly to make a rug out of it and tan the hide? had never thought of this idea, I have the same problem, i dont like to shoot things if im not going to eat it, its why i dont duck hunt for example. i see the other side of it though if these animals are posing a problem for livestock or destroying livestock then they need to be eradicated

destroying crops i mean

Shoot it or don't-your decision. It's not illegal so you decide what YOUR ethics are instead of letting others tell you what they should be...just sayin'.

I just asked for some thoughts from fellow hunters. I'll listen, give it some thought, and make my own decision. Lighten up. It's called a forum for a reason.

Predator hunting serves a very necessary purpose. If my post suggested anything different...then that was my fault. There is nothing un-ethical about shooting your bobcat, I assure you, he's not the only one you have, just the only one you have seen. If it's legal for you to take him and you want to, then do it and apologize to noone. I was merely illustrating that if possible, I would wait till he's furred out and then go after him, but only because a furred out bobcat is one the most beautiful trophies one can have IMO.


Chupa

If you aint gonna eat it dont pull the trigger, in exception of crows

If you will wait until Dec. or Jan. the fur will be thicker and look better when it is tanned

Here is euro my son made

you can have the hide tanned for under $100 and do the euro mount yourself...

did my first bobcat euro about two months back....
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2305407/Bobcat_Euro#Post2305407

I would say go ahead and shoot it if you can call it in. You could have the hide tanned and an euro done like posted above if you like. Predators need management also. Just to give you some insight on numbers of them on a piece of ground....I was on a ranch in eastern La Salle County and snared 12 miles of fencelines from Jan till the end of May every year. I averaged around 90 coyotes, 50 bobcats and 50 badgers per year there in a 3 yr period. With the peak catching month for bobcats being April. I never saw more than a bobcat or two a month from March till Oct. while riding the ranch daily. I saw from 2-4 during Oct till Feb while hunting almost everyday. These numbers were from the first year till the last as the sightings never changed even while I was trapping. Calling one in and experiencing the thrill of the hunt is priceless to me. Pics, euro's and tanned hides are the things you can keep from the hunt also. But there will be more bobcats on that ranch than just one I can tell you without a doubt.

It's a predator... why would anyone say it's ok to kill and leave a coyote but not a bobcat?