Is a wild animal in my case a bobcat that's not scared of humans infected with rabies? I know I can't tell without a dna test. Bu is that a sign? Its bank snipping around for about 2 months and ate 2 of our cats. Well at 3am this morning I hear all he'll breaking loose so I least. Our lady our yellow lab then I walk out behind her. Sure enough about 15-20 yards from the poarch under the sercurity light there's a huge bobcat.he was having a meowing match with our house cat who is pretty good size. Lady got first sight of it and ran scarred.I woke my my mom up then grabbed the shotgun and went out there it looked at me for a few more minutes then just walked away.I didn't won't. Fire a gun off at 3am .next time im grabbing the 30-06. I was having a time singing out shotshells
bobcat?
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I don't know where you live, but that is the first time I have ever heard of a bobcat sticking around when a dog or a human showed up, so if it doesn't have rabies, there is certainly something weird going on. After already losing 2 cats, I think I would have shot to kill, if possible.
I can almost gaurantee it has rabies. ANY wild animal that is not afraid of humans usually does. The only way to know for sure is to have it tested after you shoot it. If it comes back again I would not hesitate to shoot it regardless of the time. As the disease progresses it will get more and more aggressive and will eventually attack someone in broad daylight. It needs to be put down before that happens.
Good luck, and let us know what happens.
Good luck, and let us know what happens.
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Doesn't necessarily mean it has rabies, could just be a habituated animal, happens quite frequently in urban or park areas, but it can also happen in other areas depending on the circumstances. Maybe its a cat that is exploiting an easy food source (pets) and learned to be more tolerant of humans to get it. Regardless, shouldn't be a problem to shoot it if it's killing pets but if he lives in an urban area he may want to check his local laws/ordinances, may have to trap it.
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Sounds like a job for Mr. Twelve Gauge. No need for a deer rifle. 4s ought to be about right (#4 birdshot, not #4 buck). 2s would be OK, also, but just try to find those...... if you know an old waterfowl hunter, they may have some of the larger sizes of bird shot in some old loads they can't use anymore.
They aren't very large animals and shouldn't be hard to kill. Unless you are calling for varmits with a rifle and one shows up behind you at 15 feet or so.... ask me how I know that!
They aren't very large animals and shouldn't be hard to kill. Unless you are calling for varmits with a rifle and one shows up behind you at 15 feet or so.... ask me how I know that!
Not rabid. It would be pretty sick by now and would have attacked instead of walked off. My experience with bobcats that are around a lot of people activity is, (they are indignant, scary, arrogant bullies. He has found a food source as well as some entertainment and he will either like that or not return. Your animals do not need to be out at night for a while and for sure their vaccinations need to be up to date. If you shoot it, you get a nice hide.
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I can gaurentee that bobcat does not have rabies. It would take far less than 2-3 months for the disease to ravage the cat. That bob cat is somewhat tempered to humans, next time just set your dog on him, trust me, the cat WILL run, why the **** did your yellow lab run? Also, how can you be sure that it ate 2 of your cats? What state do you live in, as well? I suspect maybe your inside cat is in heat, is that possible? I find this whole situation very odd, bobcats will generally only eat a fresh kill, i find it almost unbelieveable that any bob cat would eat cat food or dog food. Just doesnt add up...sometimes a couger will target dogs, but a booby, would never mess with a dog over twice its size.
If you for some reason see it in your yard again, pop it with your .22 lr right below the base of the skull (dont want a bullet hole in a nice bocat skull) Honestly though, this story is almost unbelieveable the way i read it. You sure its not a raccoon cat or something? Describe where you live, like is there a lot of houses or what?
Re-read the story....man i just cant believe that. not the time frames your describing, unless there is mentally challenged bob cats in your neck of the woods. A possum isnt even that stupid... sounds like you watched it, in the yard light, with your dog for at least 5 minutes, going in and out...if your accurate with your story then i will forget everything i know about cats.
If you for some reason see it in your yard again, pop it with your .22 lr right below the base of the skull (dont want a bullet hole in a nice bocat skull) Honestly though, this story is almost unbelieveable the way i read it. You sure its not a raccoon cat or something? Describe where you live, like is there a lot of houses or what?
Re-read the story....man i just cant believe that. not the time frames your describing, unless there is mentally challenged bob cats in your neck of the woods. A possum isnt even that stupid... sounds like you watched it, in the yard light, with your dog for at least 5 minutes, going in and out...if your accurate with your story then i will forget everything i know about cats.
There a house every 3/4 mile or so. We live out im the country. Im in georgia right on the border of florida.I always thought the only big animals here where deer lol. And no it wasn't a raccoon it aren't it and plus it was making cat noises. I stay up till about. 5am I hope to see him tonight.im thinking though of trying to get him with the 40
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I mean "raccoon cat" its a large domestic cat, im kinda thinking this is the best explanation...not bobcat behavior, anything that you described. Only exception i could possibly think of is that maybe your indoor cat is in heat??
Regardless, if it is a bobcat doing this stuff, you need to shoot that sucker, its not natural. post some pics of it too.
Drop it. If you are worried about the loud report of the 12ga try a .22 short or a subsonic .22lr. I have both and can pop one and the neighbors don't even hear it. Still check on local laws regarding discharge of a firearm. Many cities do not allow for any reason other than self protection. Even then they can be persnickety about it.
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Good point, might be a good idea to call your state troopers, and explain the situation. Let them know youv been having a problem, and that your worried about it escalating, and you intend on shooting it the next time its in your yard light. If they tell you its illegal, pop it with a .22 lr out your window, and dont talk about it i guess.
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fish and game might have a problem with you popping a bob cat without a small game license and being in season but I'm not familliar with Georgia laws on the matter. If your closest neighbor is 3/4 of a mile away like you said I say blast away. Just don't send the pelt in to be mounted if you can't tag it. That is a good way to get some jail time. I doubt as well that the animal is rabid with how long it has been around but I'm no vet either. I would guess it is just accustomed to humans and didn't care if you were around.
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Their pelts are gorgeous, so if you can pop it with a .22LR right in the chest you will have a trophy. Bobcats and Lions are my favorite critters to hunt.
Many wild animals become tolerant of humans when they have a little time to study them. Black Bears frequently come right into people's yards all over the North East, I have thousands of deer tracks through my yard and there are fresh ones every time it snows. The best approach is to treat it as though it were rabid.
Here's a bobcat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bobcat2.jpg
Many wild animals become tolerant of humans when they have a little time to study them. Black Bears frequently come right into people's yards all over the North East, I have thousands of deer tracks through my yard and there are fresh ones every time it snows. The best approach is to treat it as though it were rabid.
Here's a bobcat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bobcat2.jpg
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What state are you in? I ask because your description of the walk reminds me of a Bobcat I saw, two years ago, on the U.P. of Michigan. It, too, seemed quite unafraid of me. I got to within 20 yards of the cat and realized that there were "tufts" on its ears and that it was huge. It turns out, it was not a Bobcat - it was a Lynx!
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Not uncommon for a lynx and bobcat to breed, in areas where there range overlaps.
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