Texas Hunting: Top Tips for Calling Bobcats

Calling bobcats is a test of patience and precision. These elusive predators are known for their stealth and sharp instincts, making them a challenging quarry even for seasoned hunters. Calling bobcats while hunting in Texas effectively requires a blend of skill, strategy, and understanding of their behavior.

Understand Bobcat Behavior

Bobcats are solitary and territorial animals that rely heavily on their acute senses of sight, sound, and smell. They are most active during dawn and dusk, often stalking prey with calculated movements. When calling bobcats while hunting in Texas, keep in mind their curious yet cautious nature. While they might be intrigued by a sound, they often take their time approaching. Recognizing this behavior is key to crafting an effective calling strategy.

Choose the Right Hunting Calls

Bobcats are drawn to high-pitched, erratic sounds that mimic the distress calls of small prey like rodents, birds, or rabbits. Various mouth calls and electronic calls are available, each with its advantages.

Electronic calls are particularly useful as they offer consistent sound quality and allow

you to position the source of the noise away from your hiding spot. This setup reduces the chances of the bobcat detecting your presence. On the other hand, mouth calls provide flexibility and a personal touch to your calling strategy, though they require more skill to master.

Remember that bobcats are easily distracted. It’s important to play calls continuously to succeed. Bird distress calls, for instance, often hold a bobcat’s attention longer than other options.

Adjust the Volume and Timing

Loud sounds can alarm them or make your calls seem unnatural since bobcats are meticulous listeners. Start with lower volumes and gradually increase if needed. This mirrors how small animals naturally react to threats, creating a more believable scenario for the bobcat.

Add Visual Aids

Incorporating a decoy into your setup can significantly improve your chances. Bobcats are visual hunters, and movement captures their attention. A decoy mimicking a small animal in distress can hold their focus and encourage them to close the distance.

Opt for a decoy with realistic motion, such as a fluttering bird or a quivering rodent. Placing them near your call enhances the illusion, creating a sensory experience that’s hard for a bobcat to resist.

Set Up Strategically

Where you choose to set up can dramatically influence your success. Bobcats prefer areas with cover, such as thick brush, rocky outcrops, or timbered edges near open spaces. Position yourself with the wind in mind to prevent your scent from giving you away.

Elevated positions can offer a clearer view of the surrounding area and help you spot a cautious bobcat as it approaches.

Patience Pays Off

Unlike coyotes, which often rush in shortly after hearing a call, bobcats take their time. Their slow, deliberate approach demands longer calling sessions, typically 30 to 40 minutes per stand. Remain vigilant throughout your session, as bobcats are experts at blending into their surroundings.

It’s also important to rotate your locations since bobcats are highly cautious and sensitive to their surroundings. If they sense danger, they may avoid an area altogether.

Contact Mellon Creek Outfitters for Bobcat Hunts in Texas!

Curious to experience the challenges and thrills of bobcat running? Our team at Mellon Creek Outfitters can help. Call us at (361) 484-2398 to book a run!