I was fortunate enough to take a nice bobcat just before dark this evening. I wasn’t hunting but simply checking a clearing that ‘cats – particularly males – frequent quite often once the mating season kicks in. To be quite honest, I was checking through the kitchen window and was caught a bit off-guard as my sandbag that I keep nearby was elsewhere. So I did the next best thing: grabbed a sack of Imperial sugar, opened the window and cut loose a round with the 23” 30-30 AI Contender.

The ‘cat had just laid down on the ground in front of some deer ribs and was facing directly away from me. I was actually thrilled about the presentation as that generally results in minimal pelt damage. Without too graphic of a description, I put the Accubond in the west end of the east-facing tom. It exited the lower chest, leaving only a very small hole (dime-sized or smaller) in its wake. At the shot, the ‘cat simply went limp and never even quivered.

The photos don’t do justice to the ‘cat’s size. Weight-wise, this one has to rank in the top 5 or 6 that I have taken as it was just over 31 pounds. Out here, they do not get much bigger than that, and most mature toms are several pounds lighter.

This one also has beautiful spots and coloration, so I am hoping to ring up a few bucks when I sell the pelt. I have him in a chest and on ice and hope to skin him shortly or for sure in the morning – just as soon as this decrepit body cooperates for me (had to have the wife and twins take a wagon and go retrieve the ‘cat for me, but they seemed to enjoy the adventure!)

Once again Nice Cat Bobby!
i got to put my hands on one about that size
recently. rode along with a friend while he checked some snares.
You are covered up with cats

Pretty cat, nice spots! congrats

Bobby,
That is one beautiful cat.
Bryan

Well done, sir!

God bless & have a good evening -

friar

I guess we are going to have to call you Cat Man! Dang, Bobby, you seem to have some kind of magnet for them felines. Super nice kitty. I hope he brings a premium on the hide market. In my years of hunting, I have seen maybe a half dozen, including calling. I think you have shot more than that in the past two years. Good job!

Thanks, everyone. I have indeed been fortunate and have been able to take quite a few over the years.

EDITED TO ADD: It took me a long while (it's 2:20 a.m.), but I finally got the 'cat skinned. I used to be able to finish a bobcat in 10 minutes or so (and took my time so as not to make any mistakes with a blade), but those days are long gone. Nonetheless, despite having to start and stop several times, I got it done. The way things started out, I was afraid I'd either have to freeze the partially-skinned carcass and try another day or else give it away. But it's done and the pelt is soon to be in the freezer.

Lovely cat Bobby!

Very nice. What does a cat pelt bring?

WestTexasFur.com shows pricing for top grades ranging from $15 to $100 depending on region and the quality of the pelt itself.

What a gorgeous cat!

Congratulations Bobby. Great looking cat.

Nice looking cat. I like your rifle/caliber selection...Congrats!

+1

GWB

Biggs300-

Thanks! Those moderate-velocity calibers are about as fur-friendly as you can get -- most of the time, at least.

Of the last 10 or 12 'cats, only one had significant pelt damage, that from a 150 grain Accubond a few weeks ago. The others -- mostly taken with .30 caliber/150 grain Ballistic Tips or C-T Ballistic Silvertips along with one using the Hornady 129 grain 6.5 mm SP and two with the 6.5mm 120 grain BTs -- had only slight damge and nothing to detract/deduct from the value.

It would be nice to have a .17 Rem barrel to use on them, but I keep telling myself it would be impractical out here as hogs are often a target of opportunity.