I saw a Bobcat today. Are they dangerous?

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petah

Joined
Jul 22, 2008
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I was drinking coffee when the illusive cat sauntered under my patio table. I watched it for a few as it watched me standing there in my Boxers... I picked up a camera and followed it into the creek. But I lost it in the Huckleberry bushes.

do these things pose any danger? I admit I wasn't thinking and wanted a photo real bad so I ran barefooted in my undies after it. It was a very non-intimidating looking animal.
 
Dangerous to bunnies, maybe. They are pretty shy so I don't think you'll have any problems with a bobcat. I've got one near my house that I like to casually track for a few yards in the winter time to see what he's stalking. Snap some pics if you see him again.

Edit: Don't approach him, he might not come back if you scare him off too many times.
 
I just did a search and found a couple of instances of attacks but I still don't think you have anything to worry about if you respect his space. I generally don't like to get too close to any wild predators as a rule of thumb, no matter how big or small.
 
Excellent. I didn't think he was dangerous.Now, I really hope he comes back.
 
Wow...to see a Bobcat is an Awsome thing, they are really stealthy & rarely come in contact with people. You may never see it again ! Unless it's rabid or you corner it you shouldn't have any trouble out of it. Hope you get some pics !
 
Blais said:
I just did a search and found a couple of instances of attacks but I still don't think you have anything to worry about if you respect his space. I generally don't like to get too close to any wild predators as a rule of thumb, no matter how big or small.
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What he said. Don't try to pet it or get friendly, and you'll be fine. If you have any kids, you might need to explain that it's not a regular kitty. They're not dangerous, but they will rip you to shreds if they feel they have no other option.
 
Just to note, I do know people who have had pet bobcats that were perfectly behaved, but when they've grown up in the wild, it's a different story. Even a wild housecat is a force to be reckoned with.
 
I walked under one up a tree a few years back, didn't know he was there til it let out a scream and scared the crap outta me. Kinda woke me up a little. Anyway I kept going and it climbed down and went the other way. Saw one carrying a squirel this year on the bank of a cove at the lake where all the pontoons hang out, that was pretty cool
 
I once shot a bobcat in my underwear. How he got in my underwear, I'll never know. (To paraphrase Groucho Marxs)
 
Joezilla said:
About the only time I heard one ever being dangerous is during turkey hunting. A guy got attacked while calling a gobbler in.
http://bigcatrescue.blogspot.com/2009/05/bobcat-attacks-nh-hunter-doing-turkey.html
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down east NC there were some bob's running around with rabies. attacking folks out of the blue..

but generally they do not attack humans for fun or for food. but they are a predator species so caution is a must if they are around. they are small and very very fast.
 
A biologist friend tells me that they can be a vector for a microorganism that can affect (and kill) domestic cats.
 
Woot! You are lucky! Pix please.

We had a ranger from Glacier NP talk to our club; he said he had seen one bobcat in ten years. They are an animal that will detect you long before you detect them and their reaction is almost always to hide and wait till you have gone.

There are some neat pictures at Snopes.com. Search for "mountain lion patio".

B
 
It would be amazing to catch a glimpse of one out in the wild.

Adult_Bobcat.jpg
 
bobcats are very elusive not dangerous unless cornered but even a coon can be hell on wheels if cornered. great for cleaning up rats & mice. i would keep doors closed on cabins since bobbies & other unwanted animals might damage your food stock. bobcats & foxes are welcome on my brothers ranch since they also workout on baby snakes.never had a problem with them bothering calves. dennis
 
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