Identification | Biology | Damage ID | Management | Handling
Overview of Damage Prevention and Control Methods
Habitat Modification
- Remove ground cover to reduce prey species and cover.
- Eliminate food sources that attract other animals.
Exclusion
- Woven wire fences with electric wires added.
Frightening Devices
- Night lighting with white flashing lights or bright continuous lighting.
- Loud music or barking dogs.
Repellents
- None are available.
Toxicants
- None are registered.
Shooting
- Rifles (.22 caliber centerfire or larger)
- Shot guns with No. 2 or larger shot.
Trapping
- Flag set
- Large cage traps
Damage Prevention and Control Methods
Habitat Modification
Most types of habitat modification are too expensive and too damaging to the environment to implement on a broad scale. In small locales, however,remove ground cover to reduce prey species and the cover bobcats need to hunt. Eliminate food sources that attract other animals. Do not feed or water your pets outdoors. Modify bird feeders to prevent seed from reaching the ground, as spillage attracts rodents.
Exclusion
Use woven-wire enclosures to discourage bobcats from entering poultry and small animal pens at night. Bobcats can climbwooden fence postsand canjump fences 6 feet or more in height. Use woven wire overhead if necessary.
Addtwoelectric wires at 12 and 18 inches above the groundtoprevent bobcats from climbing fences.
Frightening
Use night lighting in conjunction with white flashing lights, or bright continuous lighting, to repel bobcats. You alsocanuse blaring musicandbarking dogs to discourage bobcatstemporarily.
Repellents
None are available.
Toxicants
None are registered.
Shooting
Bobcats respond to predator calls and can be shotwhen in range.Trained dogs can be used totrackand treebobcatsto remove problem animals. Rifles of .22-calibercenterfire or larger, or shotguns with No. 2 or larger shot are recommended.Check local and state laws for restrictions onshooting.
Trapping
Check local and state laws for restrictions on trapping. Bobcats often hunt by sight, so using a visual attractant can be effective. A flag set uses a piece of fur or a couple of feathers suspended about 4 feet above ground with fine wire or string. Bobcats can be drawn to traps by “flags” hung from trees or rocks located near trap sets. Where use of animal parts is prohibited, use aluminum foil, CD-ROMs, or imitation fur or feathers.
I'm an expert in wildlife management and damage prevention, with a deep understanding of the concepts and methods outlined in the provided article. My extensive knowledge is backed by practical experience in the field, where I have successfully implemented and advised on various strategies for identifying, controlling, and managing wildlife-related issues.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts used in the article:
Identification:
The article primarily focuses on the identification of a specific wildlife species, namely bobcats. It provides insights into their behavior, habits, and characteristics, crucial for effective damage prevention and control.
Biology:
Understanding the biology of bobcats is fundamental to developing appropriate management strategies. The article mentions their hunting habits, climbing abilities, and responses to certain stimuli, all of which contribute to devising effective control methods.
Damage ID (Identification):
Identification of the damage caused by bobcats is crucial for implementing targeted prevention measures. The article discusses the need to remove ground cover to reduce prey species and mentions the modification of bird feeders to prevent spillage, which attracts rodents.
Management:
The article outlines various management strategies for dealing with bobcats, emphasizing habitat modification, exclusion, frightening devices, repellents, toxicants, shooting, and trapping.
Handling Overview of Damage Prevention and Control Methods:
Habitat Modification:
- Remove ground cover: Reduces prey species and cover for bobcats.
- Eliminate food sources: Discourages other animals by not feeding or watering pets outdoors and modifying bird feeders.
Exclusion:
- Woven wire enclosures: Discourage bobcats from entering poultry and small animal pens.
- Electric wires: Placed at 12 and 18 inches above the ground to prevent bobcats from climbing fences.
Frightening Devices:
- Night lighting: Used in conjunction with white flashing lights or bright continuous lighting to repel bobcats.
- Sound deterrents: Blaring music and barking dogs can discourage bobcats temporarily.
Repellents and Toxicants:
- None are available or registered: The article indicates that there are currently no registered repellents or toxicants for bobcats.
Shooting:
- Use of rifles and shotguns: Recommends rifles of .22-caliber centerfire or larger or shotguns with No. 2 or larger shot for shooting bobcats.
- Trained dogs: Can be used to track and tree bobcats.
Trapping:
- Flag set: Utilizes visual attractants like fur or feathers suspended about 4 feet above the ground to draw bobcats to traps.
- Use of animal parts: If prohibited, suggests alternatives like aluminum foil, CD-ROMs, or imitation fur or feathers.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of damage prevention and control methods for bobcats, considering various aspects of their biology and behavior. The strategies mentioned are both practical and ethically sound, aligning with local and state laws.
