dbltree
Super Moderator
Every now and then we have a discussion about bobcats and thier effects on other wildlife, especially turkeys.
Recently I had a chance to spend some time visiting with one of the researchers that has the very enviable task of tracking bobcats in southern Iowa.
He shared the following information with me:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We examined the stomach contents of 100 bobcat carcasses that were collected primarily during the fall and winter.
We found remains of cottontail rabbits in 60% of the stomachs, mice and voles in about 20%, and fox squirrels in about 15% of stomachs.
Juvenile bobcats ate proportionally more mice and voles than adults. Male and female bobcats generally ate the same prey.
We found remains of deer in 12 stomachs of bobcats, primarily adult male bobcats, although the small volume of deer remains <span style="color: #CC0000">suggests that much of it was consumed as carrion</span>.
About <span style='font-family: Century Gothic'>2% of the stomachs contained birds </span>(one stomach with turkey, one with pheasant, and one with hawk feathers). We also found a few stomachs with remains of muskrat, beaver, and shrew.
</div></div>
Bobcats like most predators are "oppurtunistic" and will take advantage of anything they can catch but it appears that they likely have a very minimal affect on our turkey or pheasant populations.
Because our rabbit populations are high and they are a bobcats favorite prey, it stands to reason that in the spring when turkey poults might be vulnerable, young rabbits are plentiful and without the watchful eye of a hen turkey. (have you ever been "flogged" by an angry turkey?? /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif )
My son is anxiously awaiting the opening day of trapping season and has only one question when I check my trail cam pics..."any bobcats" /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
This is my first pic of a female and her kitten...
Perhaps I'll see more of these furry critters while hunting. We share something in common as hunters in that our prey will nourish and sustain us just as God intended.
Here are a few interesting links to more info on Iowa's growing bobcat population along with answers to questions you might have.
Bobcat Landscape Ecology
Bobcats Make a Comeback
Frequently Asked Questions about Iowa's Bobcats
Bobcats in Iowa
Bobcat Report 2007
2008 Bobcat tQuota
Recently I had a chance to spend some time visiting with one of the researchers that has the very enviable task of tracking bobcats in southern Iowa.
He shared the following information with me:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We examined the stomach contents of 100 bobcat carcasses that were collected primarily during the fall and winter.
We found remains of cottontail rabbits in 60% of the stomachs, mice and voles in about 20%, and fox squirrels in about 15% of stomachs.
Juvenile bobcats ate proportionally more mice and voles than adults. Male and female bobcats generally ate the same prey.
We found remains of deer in 12 stomachs of bobcats, primarily adult male bobcats, although the small volume of deer remains <span style="color: #CC0000">suggests that much of it was consumed as carrion</span>.
About <span style='font-family: Century Gothic'>2% of the stomachs contained birds </span>(one stomach with turkey, one with pheasant, and one with hawk feathers). We also found a few stomachs with remains of muskrat, beaver, and shrew.
</div></div>
Bobcats like most predators are "oppurtunistic" and will take advantage of anything they can catch but it appears that they likely have a very minimal affect on our turkey or pheasant populations.
Because our rabbit populations are high and they are a bobcats favorite prey, it stands to reason that in the spring when turkey poults might be vulnerable, young rabbits are plentiful and without the watchful eye of a hen turkey. (have you ever been "flogged" by an angry turkey?? /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif )
My son is anxiously awaiting the opening day of trapping season and has only one question when I check my trail cam pics..."any bobcats" /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
This is my first pic of a female and her kitten...
Perhaps I'll see more of these furry critters while hunting. We share something in common as hunters in that our prey will nourish and sustain us just as God intended.
Here are a few interesting links to more info on Iowa's growing bobcat population along with answers to questions you might have.
Bobcat Landscape Ecology
Bobcats Make a Comeback
Frequently Asked Questions about Iowa's Bobcats
Bobcats in Iowa
Bobcat Report 2007
2008 Bobcat tQuota
