Hello to all,

I am new here and now living in the mountains of Western North Carolina , never trapped these mountain cats before and have found nice areas that trail cam shows NICE CATS !! And from what I see no one seems to hunt them and lots of big country. I am having hard time with a capture and looking for people that trap these mountains to offer suggestions as lots of creeks and rivers and not sure best areas to set. I use cage traps and being my experience is from the Everglades of Florida I got lots to learn...... What is best elevation for these Bobcats and what are good lures to use in snow and rain ? Thanks for any help !!!

Not anywhere close to NC but I'd put sets right where you captured pics on trail cam. Likely to traveling the same routes

I live right on the Tenn/NC border next to Avery county and its pretty much all big timber and steep terrain. I caught most all mine around rocky ridges and where these rocky ridges meet power line row or field edges. I spent 2 weeks trapping just for cats and got 6 then went to chasing coyotes. I had good success on old logging roads running the ridges

FH is correct, set where you KNOW they travel.
Slide the cage up and back, while pushing down, to bring dirt up thru the wire so its feet dont' feel it
Brush the trap in some
Hang a fur ball or something in back of cage with bait
If possible, set under a pine or fir or hemlock to keep the snow out
Have you painted the cages to help them blend in?
Have you joined the NC Trappers Assn to keep in the info loop.......like the FREE trappers ed classes and the Mountain Rendezvous and fur sale?
Classes are also at www.ncwildlife.org
Moving up to footholds will open more turf, too.

I caught most of mine on weiser horsemeat predator bait and bobcat gland lure using dirtholes on the side of the old logging roads

Thank you am indeed trying these areas where trail cam caught them moving and no luck yet I guess need to keep set in place longer as I have been relocating after a week or so and will now try leaving them longer in place.

Also looking to join NC Trappers Association and does anyone know highest elevation these cats are found at as I want to look around 5000 feet but don't know if this is not their habitat to be found ? Thanks again for your help.

I am by no way an expert this is my second year as well, but I have been told that sometimes cats are on a loop and they may not be there within a week so maybe try leaving traps longer. I had cat sets out all season and I finally connected when I set a cubby set catch was on check day four. good luck

I am just across the state line from you and I am also NO cat expert but, I've caught some off of walking trails in the bottom of steep hollers, high on the ridges where pine thickets and hard woods meet and in over grown (abandoned) fields in the woods. I like a cubby with wings for flagging but, that can also get your gear stolen. One tip that I can give you is NEVER go completely to your set in the snow if you're setting on National Forest land. Get close enough to check it and leave or you can COUNT on someone else running your line for you and if you're lucky they'll only get your catch....if not they'll take everything. If you do make a catch in the snow remake the set somewhere close once the snow melts.

Gee all my thanks to you guys for the tips and will try all suggestions as I have just 10 days left in our season before it’s over till November so off I go to work on my sets.

As far as elevation goes, I trap on the Roan which is 6300ft just a little shy of Mt Mitchell and I caught 3 of my cats right off the top. As long as they have the habitat and food they'll be there. Here's my biggest of the year and he was at 6,000 ft.

WOW !! AWSOME CAT RM !!

Where u at in western NC

Most of the cats I catch are on grown up field edges, clearcuts that are a couple years old and logging roads through laurel thickets and timber. Think like a rabbit and grouse Hunter and u will find cats

Im in Ashville and like areas of Pisgah National Forest and the Wilderness areas.

If your in Asheville I'd try to find some private ground. You will eventually have problems with people on public ground

Any thoughts on sets near a stream or river banks ? So much water around is this not as productive ?

I have been very carful to camo and hide my cages on public land and so far no issues and yes trying to find private property to trap. THanks again fo all the tips this website is very helpful.

Are u just setting cage traps? Water ways are also good. Find an easy place to cross or even a crossing log and make sets nearby. I know a local guy that catches cats every year as they cross a metal pipe under a bridge. Any beaver swamps or dammed up creeks in the area will attract them also