Bobcat bait???

[IATRKYHNTR]

I just got word today that there has been a Bobcat sighting in a area I hunt. Beings I live in Iowa, this is big news for me!! I am not a trapper at all, and I want to point out that I AM NOT TRYING TO TRAP THIS BOBCAT!!! I want to set up my trail cam, to see if I can get any pics, and since I know many of you are avid bobcat trappers, and well knowledge in this area, I would ask y'all. So what should I use, some type of dead animal, or meat? Or is there a commercial bait I could use?

We have a area that has a lot of tracks in it, but it's a dirt road, and I don’t want my cam out in plain view! I have sole permission to hunt my best friends, parents ground this year (he just had a baby and needless to say has no time to hunt) They want me to try and get pics to. They saw it for the first time Sunday night, a cat about a foot and a half or two feet at the shoulder, grayish/cream/tan in color, a short tail, and paw prints the size of a beer can.

ANY information will be helpful!

Thanks,
IATRKYHNTR
Nathan

P.S. this is in the SE corner of Iowa, bout 6o miles form the IA/MO border.

[Wackyquacker]

Cats take the easy route when traveling and often can't be drawn far from their travels.  that being said the proper placement of a bait pile  (a rib cage from a deer staked down solidly) and or a strong call lure will often get the cat where you want it.  When using bait for cats fresh is better and in combination with a lure maybe 2 feet off the ground on a tree of hanging cotton ball may be the best.

a lot demands on terrain and "traffic" (potential thieves) .  If you are in a location with good visibility and theft is of little concern, consider hanging a CD, or a couple of large primary flight feathers (white turkey wings come to mind if there is no snow) above your bait maybe 1
 too 24" off the ground.  You can tease cats well with visuals and these flaggings oft times spoke coyotes which means longevity for your bait.

Make certain you consider prevailing wind in selecting your location, (wind blowing across the bait / lure too the travelway).  When selecting the travel route consider how often you see fresh tracks.  It often takes weeks for a cat to cycle through and it is not uncommon that the tracks where a one time deal.  If you find cat scat along the path, you have a strong indication that you are on a territorial boundary and can expect the cat to return.  Here, season comes into play; if the observations are made during breeding season (Jan. through Mar) the scat may not be nearly as helpful.

Hope this helps some.

[IntrepidWizard]

Chicken,best I have used,dead,gutted chicken,I use spring traps what are you using?Live traps will get you hurt quick.

[IATRKYHNTR]

Thanks guys,
Bobcats have been very rare in Iowa, until the past few years, more and more have been sighted. If I was betting I would say this is a juvenal male looking for his own territory, or a older male (cause of it's size I am leaning this way) that has been run out of his territory by a younger male. I know nothing about Bobcat so feel free to tell me I am wrong, only way I will learn. Not sure when I'll get time to get the cam set up, since muzzle loader season starts this weekend. But hope to soon.

TRKYHNTR
Nathan

[Mack in N.C.]

do a  internet search for lynx survey.......biologist  were trying to determine the # of lynx in certain areas....bobcats will come to the bait.......consist of combination of beaver castor and catnip.......mack...