Hills, Pines, and Stream Crossings
North Carolina’s mix of Appalachian slopes, rolling Piedmont, and dense coastal woodlands gives bobcats everything they need to thrive. Trees are crucial for concealment, providing cover for bobcats as they stalk and respond to calls. For hunters, this variety of ground cover presents opportunities—and challenges. Positioning near trees and thickets is crucial for hunting success, as these areas provide concealment for bobcats while they respond to calls. Understanding a bobcat's territory, including their territorial markings and behavior, is essential for effective hunting. With public land access and strong predator numbers across the state, North Carolina is a sleeper spot for bobcat hunting. Finding success here means understanding how these secretive animals move through the terrain and knowing where to set up and let the call do its work.
Choosing Productive Terrain
The best places to call in bobcats are where game trails intersect with cover. Using decoys can be a crucial tool in enhancing hunting success. Look for brushy hollows, overgrown logging roads, dry creek beds, and edge habitat where hardwoods meet pine thickets. Areas with rabbit or squirrel sign are a bonus, as these are common bobcats prey. Bobcats are ambush predators and use thick cover to approach, often sitting and remaining concealed as they observe potential prey. Compared to coyotes, bobcats typically respond to calls at a slower pace, requiring more patience and subtlety in your approach. In the mountains and foothills, saddles and benches along ridgelines offer natural funnels for travel. In coastal zones, focus on field edges, swampy drainages, and brush-choked ditches. Similar to foxes, bobcats exhibit stealth and patience, making them challenging yet rewarding to hunt. Understanding a bobcat’s territory, including their tracks and territorial markings, is essential for identifying promising hunting locations.
Calling Strategy for the East
Start with calling bobcats using distress sounds—rabbits, birds, or even fawn bleats—to draw in curious cats. This practice, called calling bobcats, is essential for managing their population. Rabbit distress calls are particularly effective for attracting bobcats. Compared to bobcats, canines like coyotes and foxes rely more on their sense of smell, making them harder to hunt with calls. Calls should begin at low volume and gradually rise. Use intermittent sequences with pauses, as bobcats often take their time to close the distance. Electronic callers help direct sound away from your position, giving you an advantage when a cat is near. Mouth calls work too, especially in tighter cover where bobcats may be within earshot from the start. The key is patience. Stay put for at least 30 minutes per setup, as bobcats often slip in slowly and silently and may lose interest if not properly engaged. Night time calling offers distinct advantages, such as the cover of darkness and the use of specialized equipment like thermal weapons and red hunting lights.
Legal Considerations and Daylight Tactics
In North Carolina, night hunting for bobcats is restricted on many public lands, so most success comes from daytime sets, with a focus on day time calling strategies. Bobcats are rarely seen, requiring a great deal of patience and careful observation to hunt. Early morning and late afternoon remain the most active periods, particularly in late fall and winter. Cold, overcast days with minimal wind improve visibility and scent control. During mating season in January and February, vocal cats become more curious and easier to call. The fleeting moments of opportunity during bobcat hunts require quick reflexes and keen observation, as these elusive animals can disappear in an instant.
Public Land Access
The state is home to dozens of Game Lands and National Forest tracts that allow predator hunting. On private lands, there’s often a shoot-on-sight policy for bobcats due to their impact on turkey populations, and specific regulations and practices apply to these areas. Unlike coyotes, which often respond quickly to calls, bobcats exhibit greater patience and take longer to approach, making them more challenging to hunt. Popular regions include Uwharrie National Forest, Croatan National Forest, and areas within the Pisgah and Nantahala forests. Many of these places receive less predator pressure than deer or turkey seasons, giving bobcat hunters a better chance at uneducated animals. Legal considerations for hunting raccoons and bobcats include specific rules about hunting raccoons at night and restrictions on transporting wild-trapped live raccoons. Checking local maps and regulations is essential before heading out, as some areas require permits or sign-in procedures.
Gear for the Timber
You don’t need high-tech gear to hunt bobcats in North Carolina. However, using night vision equipment can provide a strategic advantage in spotting and calling bobcats, especially in open areas where visibility is crucial. Using trail cameras to observe and track bobcat behavior can significantly enhance your chances of success. A bolt-action rifle or shotgun with a tight choke, good camo, waterproof boots, and a reliable call are more important than optics. Choose gear that lets you stay quiet, dry, and steady for long sits. A small pad or folding stool adds comfort, and binoculars help catch early movement through thick brush. Ensuring a precise shot is crucial for successful bobcat hunting, requiring patience and stealth.
A Waiting Game That Pays
Bobcat hunting in North Carolina is a quiet pursuit. Chasing these elusive creatures adds to the excitement, as you never know when or where they'll appear. You won’t hear them coming. You’ll wait, scan, and second-guess. But when that shadow finally takes form at the edge of the timber and a pair of eyes locks onto the decoy, it’s all worth it. He'll often be on his way to a taxidermist, a true trophy for the patient hunter. Unpredictable moments can happen during a bobcat hunt, adding to the excitement and challenge of the pursuit. These hunts reward the patient, the observant, and the hunter who knows how to sit still and wait for the woods to move. I hope this encourages fellow hunters to refine their skills and enjoy the thrill of the chase.
FAQs
Where are the best public lands to hunt bobcats in North Carolina?
Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests, along with parts of Pisgah and Nantahala, offer large tracts with excellent bobcat habitat and access. Open fields in these areas provide optimal setups for nighttime hunts, where the darkness offers concealment for predators, making it easier to draw them into the open. Searching for tracks is crucial to determine if bobcats are present in a hunting area, as clear signs such as tracks, scat, and other indicators can greatly enhance a hunter’s chances of successfully calling in bobcats by confirming their territory and habitual paths.
What kind of calls work best in North Carolina?
Distress calls mimicking rabbits, birds, or fawns are highly effective and should be used in slow, varied sequences.
For best results, consider these tips: start with lower volume calls and gradually increase the intensity to mimic a natural escalation of distress.
Can you hunt bobcats at night in North Carolina?
Night hunting is restricted or not allowed on many public lands, so daylight setups are the best option for public land bobcat hunting. However, for those areas where night hunting is permitted, understanding the specific setups and locations optimal for night time calling can significantly increase your chances of success.
What gear is recommended for bobcat hunting in this state?
Camo, waterproof boots, a comfortable seat, a basic rifle or shotgun, and a dependable call are the essentials for North Carolina terrain.
Bobcat fur is highly valued in the hunting and trapping community, with beautiful pelts being a significant motivator for many hunters. When hunting bobcats, the decision-making process of whether or not to shoot involves considering the legality, the opportunity presented, and the emotional responses such as excitement and hesitation.
When is the best time to hunt bobcats in North Carolina?
Late fall through winter, especially during early morning and late afternoon, offers the best chance for bobcat activity.
Food availability significantly impacts bobcat behavior and hunting success, as the size of their territories can vary based on the availability of food sources. During these times, young livestock are particularly vulnerable as prey for bobcats, which can impact wildlife management strategies.