Bamps (12-01-2014)
A bobcat has moved in to our backyard. I've never seen one before but understand that they can kill goats. I also understand that they usually lie in wait and pounce or run in a short spurt. My goats are surrounded by a six foot fence but there are trees nearby. My question is this: would a bobcat climb a tree and try to drop onto a goat? Come to think of it, would it even come this close to the house if humans are around?
Thanks.
Bamps (12-01-2014)
Answer to your questions: Yes.
Do you have animal control there? I'd try to have it captured. None of your critters are safe, nor are you if you're out there and it's hungry (most likely if it's sick).
janedoe (11-30-2014)
Just occurred to me...it might be staying in your area BECAUSE of your critters...and a 6 foot fence isn't a deterrent.
They're pretty animals but not ones I'd want around my property.
Just for giggles, I Googled "are bobcats attracted to marijuana smoke?" and found an entry from a BEAR expert (didn't look at his credentials) who stated that there isn't any proof of this but he'd not smoke in bear country because great senses of smell could detect the smoke and possibly be sufficiently interesting for investigating. If bobcats are anything like bears, this might be a way to get your neighbor to give up her smokes....if she cares about the safety of her kids. (yeah....I don't think so, either)
(OK...I said it was for giggles....but you never know....)
Bobcat | Basic Facts About Bobcats | Defenders of Wildlife
I've never seen or heard a Bobcat. They are pretty wary of humans, making me wonder if it's injured or otherwise impaired and seeking out food easier than it's usual wild food.
janedoe (11-30-2014)
Well, I locked up my goats. Poor goats. But they should be safe at night now. My husband told a neighbor who hunts. Nothing else seems to deter them.
OMG with the pot smoking neighbor! Her dog was in our backyard today after her cat disappeared. You would think that she might figure stuff out at this point. But no.
We'll never avoid the predators, I'm afraid. The boarding school has been expanding their collection of livestock and poultry so it will always be an issue. Their barn is about 150 feet away in a direct line through the woods. I actually think we're getting more wildlife because of construction. Fortunately, our rodent population (squirrels and chipmunks) went through the roof this year because of the weather so hopefully the bobcat will have enough to eat until we figure it out. It's hanging out about an acre down and more research today told me that they go for the easy stuff first. Less than 10% of sheep and goat kills are bobcat related and they think that's an inflated figure since they eat carrion. In the meantime, we'll do lockdowns except in the middle of the day and the motion detector light is on full blast. Apparently, they don't like bright light.
I used to track Bobcats with hounds years ago, YES, it can scale the fence, no problem and yes it can kill goats, dogs, calves, etc., etc. call animal control and get it out of there.
janedoe (12-01-2014)
Bobcats are common here especially on the outskirts of town. Get rid of it, even though they are shy cats, they are not nice especially if they are hungry. Like Bamps said, they can scale walls, climb trees
janedoe (12-01-2014)
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