I saw a Bobcat today. Are they dangerous?

I grew up in upstate NY. We had plenty of these guys around. The absolute worst thing is their call. Middle of the night you could hear them screeching. It sounds like a little girl screaming bloody murder. I shudder just thinking about it.

That and I watched two pick of my neighbors dachshund. That messed with me a little too.
 
It looks like they can take down a deer :)

Bobcatattacksdeer.jpg
 
All I can say is, respect the wild animal and keep them wild. So yes they are dangerous, any animal, human, bobcat can be dangerous when un sure of themselves. So please, be careful we don't need anymore ignorant media attention on "bobcat's attacks a baby or man, women." Then there will be a hunting craze, and stereotype. etc. Just like sharks!
 
20gauge said:
A biologist friend tells me that they can be a vector for a microorganism that can affect (and kill) domestic cats.
Click to expand...

or they might just decide that a fat, lazy, domestic kitty is an easier meal than a skinny, fast, wild rabbit. :eek:
 
While growing up, I heard stories of a bobcat being treed by hunting dogs, jumping onto a hunter, and tearing his coat to shreds.
Seems like I heard that same story from at least 4 different people over the years.
Apparently, bobcats don't like coats.

I'd say that hunters sometimes fabricate, or borrow other people's stories, but we all know that isn't true.
 
We see them around here all of the time. I caught one last winter in a cage trap and it was bigger than I thought he would be and had a deep growl. I wouldnt want to tangle with one. When I do get the chance to see one, they just run off. I wouldnt worry about being afraid of one. There beautiful animals. I let the one we caught go. Just dont bother them and they wont bother you.
 
Yup, beautiful animals. We see them here occasionally. We worry a bit about one taking one of our goats (Nigerian Dwarf), but it hasn't happened yet. Coyotes are probably more of a worry in that regard.

We like have such critters around.

Andy
 
I've walked up on one while heading out to my tree-stand during Bow-season several years back... Not sure who was scared/shocked the most. I walk around a nice big Pine tree and we both saw each other... took a few deep breaths and then each went the other way. :eek:
 
There are quite a few bobcats in the area, and they are a treat for the eyes and camera. Never heard of any problems about attacks, but they will take chickens, goats and other smaller livestock.

They remind me of a big housecat, maybe harmless to us, but they would probably make short work of the sofa with their claws.
 
I've come across a bunch of them mountain biking. They never ever stick around or act threatening. I've wanted to take pics, but they're gone before I can get my camel bak off. Real treat to see them. Now coyotes, are a different story...
 
20gauge said:
A biologist friend tells me that they can be a vector for a microorganism that can affect (and kill) domestic cats.
Click to expand...

They absolutely can, a good friend lost both her domestic cats within 2 days to a disease that her vet told her came from ticks that jump from Bobcats to domestic cats.
 
A baby one came out on a logging road in front of me once, calmly sat down, and assessed me as I sat 30 feet up in a tree stand. I imagined it was thinking, "I could probably take him, but he is a little big to drag through the woods." I raised my rifle to look at it through my scope, and it calmly got up and disappeared back into the brush.
 
OwenM said:
While growing up, I heard stories of a bobcat being treed by hunting dogs, jumping onto a hunter, and tearing his coat to shreds.
Seems like I heard that same story from at least 4 different people over the years.
Apparently, bobcats don't like coats.

I'd say that hunters sometimes fabricate, or borrow other people's stories, but we all know that isn't true.
Click to expand...


Excellent.

The one I saw was knee high, from 20' away. He seemed fast and scratchy.
 
bikerider said:
I've come across a bunch of them mountain biking. They never ever stick around or act threatening. I've wanted to take pics, but they're gone before I can get my camel bak off. Real treat to see them. Now coyotes, are a different story...
Click to expand...

here's a little trick from the dual sport motorcycle world.

put the camera in a pouch on the Camelbak shoulder strap and attach a retracting "gear keeper" to it. you can pull out the camera and take point-and-shoot pix one handed and if you drop the camera the leash will keep it from going anywhere.

basically, a retractable dummy cord.

just imagine doing this left handed with your right hand on the throttle!
 
I've seen two of them in the woods this year. Once when deer season was ending in January and a few months back in the woods next to my place.

One of my hunting buds claims to have been stalked by one for a few mins. He said he was walking down the dirt road after getting out of his stand and he came around the corner and they made eye contact. He dropped down to a prone position because he thought about shooting it (yes you can hunt Bobcats in FL...check myfwc.com if you'd like).

He said it kept coming at him with the low stalk crawl that cats do when hunting, but it broke off into the woods after a bit. To me it sounds like it was just trying to make an exit without blowing it cover...I wasnt there so I cant judge.

The one I saw when hunting came in the same route 7 doe's did and then came right under my stand and up the hill. Guess he must have been following the game trail because I dont think it could have taken down any of the doe's. The whole time I could see him from 130 yards out until he went 50 yards past me he took the exact same path as the deer.

They are stealthy and fast.

EDIT TO ADD: After seeing malada's post I guess I'm wrong!
 
I had one land in my lap a few years ago when I was bow hunting. Scared the crap out of both of us. I played with two older kits that were lagging behind it for aboit 30 minutes. Not dangerous but you probably don't want to try and pet it.:D
 
Any wild animal with teeth, claws and the potential for rabies and other zoonotical diseases can be dangerous to your family and pets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoonosis

Why was the animal not concerned about being so close to your or your house? Have you or your neighbors been feeding it? One "old wives tell" sympton of rabies is one of lowered inhibitions causing a naturally skittish animal not have a fear of man.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies

The best approach is to enjoy wild animals w/o interacting with them.
 
Just don't try to take his duck away. Billy Bob(the bobcat) is the sweetest cat, but don't mess with him when he's feeding. FWIW he tries to take the horses down all the time by jumping on their neck and trying to wrap his paws around their neck. The horses pretty much ignore him now. When my sister rescued him he had no claws and his canines had been pulled as well. After many surgeries he now has steel canines to replace his natural ones.

[Youtube]2KDO7nOuu5M[/Youtube]
 
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