Things You'll Need:
- Live trap
- Leg hold trap (optional where legal)
- Feathers (where legal)
- Bobcat urine (optional)
- String
- Brightly colored feathers or tape
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Step 1
Decide whether to use a live hold trap or a leg hold trap. Live hold traps are made of a sturdy wire mesh, are rectangular, and have a trap door. Leg hold traps are spring-loaded heavy metal clamps that oftentimes injure the animal.
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Step 2
Find a level place near brush and trees just off the bobcat trail. If you are using a live hold trap, place the trap between bushes or small shrubbery, if possible. The shrubbery will provide good cover for the wire mesh of the trap on the sides. If you are using a leg hold trap, dig out about 2 inches of dirt and place the trap so the sides, when fully extended, are level with the ground.
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Step 3
Place bait of either feathers or fur (where legal), with a few drops of bobcat urine next to it, in the back of the live hold trap on the trigger. Do this carefully to avoid having the trap close on you. If you are using a leg hold trap, very carefully place bait on top of the trigger.
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Step 4
Cover the top of the live hold trap with leaves, shrubbery, or other natural material you can find to make the trap blend into the environment. Place soft dirt or leaves on the bottom of the live hold trap, covering the wire mesh. For the leg hold trap, cover the sides and around the trigger with leaves or light dirt.
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Step 5
Lead the bobcat in the direction of your trap. With either kind of trap, somewhere within a 3- to 5-foot radius before the trap, tie a piece of string to a tree branch, about 6 feet up if you can get to it. Tie a piece of brightly colored feather or tape from it so that it will move when the wind hits it.
