a buddy of mine killed a bobcat about a week ago while deer hunting. Beautiful female, good sized with great spots. I was not there, but he told me later he just buried it. I asked him why because it would have made a great mount. It was clear he just did not want to mess with it and said "I don't have $500 for a mount". I told him he should have called me and I would have taken it or at least skinned it and had the pelt done. He kept saying it was just a varmit. Now I don't think what he did was illegal, but I would have done something with the cat. Even if just the pelt and a Euro on the skull. I respect everyone's right to do what they want within the law, but this one bothers me on a different level. I don't mind someone leaving a hog or yote because they can be destructive and in my mind is a bit different. Thoughts?

the quail hunters would disagree with you on this one...

Cats can be destructive. They're just better at not gettin' caught!

Ad will anyone with chickens. My mom killed several for that reason.

story sounds shifty & waste at that

I think you are being a nancy.


Bobcats are dispensable just like a yote.

No different than a yote or hog, that being said I don't shoot any of em if I don't have a plan to do something with it. If I need meat or know somebody who does I'll shoot a pig, I will always sell a cat hide or have it tanned and the same with coyotes and all skulls get cleaned. Which reminds me I need to sell some of these skulls my wife keeps griping about.

KILL EM ALL!!!!!

Always best not waste but it was probably good to take it, might be a few more turkey or quail this year because of it. Next time he shoud skin it, freeze and ship to a tannery. I think for like $75 he could have had nice pelt to hang in the den.

We have too many cats on our place. We shoot them all the time & they go to the gut pile unless someone wants it, just another predator you gotta keep in check.....same as a yote. I guess if you rarely see them it would be something special.

depending on the time of year and if the cat is prime or not the pelt sells for around 50$ and up...

On one of the places I hunt if the LO finds out you're letting predators or hogs walk, you're not welcome back.

I've been giving that some thought too.

He may have buried it when he saw the nametag on its collar...

lol

LOL.

While I would have kept the pelt they are predators and should be taken when possible. Your buddy did a benefit to something more beneficial.

They sure are bad on quail and turkey. They are beautiful and agree at least hide should be saved

I've shot a few and left them laying in the off season. This past weekend I saw one sitting in the shade under a tree and put my scope on it when a squirrel decided to run in front of it. Squirrel didn't fair to well and the bobcat got to live. Pretty awesome to see!! I understand your concern with waste but taking a pelt as decoration isn't exactly using the animal to the fullest. I can see both sides to the argument and I would say it is up to each person to decide what is right in there mind.

that's too bad. We could've worked something out with him. He tossed about $150 into the ditch if that cat was what you said it was. Unlike yotes, cats do have value.