Hunting bobcats

[shsuSig]

I'm going bobcat hunting in a few weeks and it's one of those 3 night guided hunts with lodging and gun/ammo included...however it's cheaper if you bring your own gun and ammo....my question is will my .223 do the trick? All be it I'll look pretty funny hunting a bobcat with a Rock River Tactical AR-15...it'd be cheaper and the mount would look just as nice. What do ya'll think?

 

[Polishrifleman]

Shouldn't be a problem, but just in case ask the outfitter. It's definatley enough gun. Good luck and keep us posted on results.

 

[davlandrum]

My understanding (don't you love second hand knowledge? ) is that bobcats and even mountain lions are thin skinned and "easy" to kill. I would not hesitate to use a .223 on a bobcat, or a coyote. I would talk to the outfitter and see what a normal range of shot is, is it daylight or night, etc.

 

[Fat White Boy]

If a .223 will kill a 200 pound man, why would you think it wouldn't kill a 30 pound cat? Don't over-think this stuff. It's easy...

 

[pjn003]

haha good point fat guy

 

[dalegribble]

I would take a good 22 or 22mag pistol with you for backup just in case.
In case you get too close to use the rifle

 

[22-rimfire]

+1 on the handgun. Take something you shoot well.

 

[Art Eatman]

Bobcats can be frustrating critters. They'll come to a call, and then sometimes play peek-a-boo from behind a rock or bush. Other times, they'll come right in.

If all goes well, odds are for a shot in the 20- to 40-yard vicinity.

I met one pelt-hunter who was skilled at squeaking them in pretty close, who used a .22 Maggie rimfire.

Round numbers a mature bobcat is around 30 to 35 pounds.

 

[Trapper L]

In noticed you are from Dallas. If you are coming into South Texas for the hunt, be aware that hunting is not primo and not going to be this year. Record rainfalls this years have put Buffalo grass almost shoulder high. The mesquites have put on more folage than I thought a mesquite could put on in ten years. The pastures are more lush than some of the old timers ever remember and the usual seeing for miles is not there now. Unless you are hunting pipelines or senderos, you won't see much. Other than that, the 223 is plenty rifle for Bob. And if scouting during the day, make sure to look for Bobs scats. No scats, no Bobs.

 

[2rugers]

Generally speaking nite time predator hunting here in Tx is done from the back of a mobile hunting rig.

You amble over to a likely spot and the guide begins calling.
After a couple of minutes you lite up the area with a red lens and see what shines back at you.

Range will be very limited and the weapon of choice for yotes and cats is the 12 ga. pump or auto using #4 buckshot.

Don't worry, they will come in VERY close at nite.