2 CIRCULAR 1, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



In selecting a site for trap sets, one should be guided to a large 

 extent by the t'-acks of the animal (fig. 1) and by other traces of its 

 presence, which are commonly found in the rugged re- 

 Where cesses of the open range. Such places as leached, limestone 

 to Trap ridges, limestone cap rock, or eroded granitic canyons 

 containing an abundance of small caverns and holes sur- 

 rounded by rather extensive underbrush form the ideal habitat of 

 the bobcat. This may be in low-lying coimtry or in adjacent higher 

 mountainous areas. Though it is advisable to use the greatest caution 

 in setting bobcat traps, the care with which the art is practiced need 

 not be so great as in the case of the wolf or the coyote. 



T\Tien the trail of a bobcat has been found, by track or sign, along, 

 or leading from its rocky lair, traps may be placed in either double or 



Figure 1.— "Blind" or trail set being placed for bobcats. Trails used by both bobcats and cattle 

 make ideal situations for placing the blind set for predators during periods when stock is removed 

 from such parts of the range 



single sets. If the trail is not frequently used by livestock also, or by 

 such big-game animals as deer, the so-called "blind" trap set may be 

 employed. This set is called a blind because no lure or scent need be 

 used around it when completed. 



Whether single or double blind trap sets are employed, they 

 should be placed in holes dug directly in the trail of the bobcat 

 close to such an obstruction as an exposed root, a rock, 

 "Blind" or a clump of weeds, for the bobcat seldom fails to step 

 Trap Sets over rather than on such an obstruction in its path. 

 (Fig. 2.) If the double set is to be used, the trap holes 

 should be only about 1 inch apart, separated just far enough to prevent 

 interference of the jaws when the trap is sprung. Each hole should be 

 dug only slightly larger than the size of the trap and just deep enough 

 to hold the set tr ap a nd allow this to be slightly lower than the level 



