Bobcat hunt - Bow vs Gun

[Turbo6]

So I have always wanted a mounted bobcat in the trophy room and finally started getting one coming to one of my stands pretty regular.

I think I am going to get some dedicated sits in to try and take one. The question is, do I go with the Bow or the gun?

I have been hunting for over 10 years and never had the opportunity to take a bobcat. Part of me wants to try and take it with the bow to make it more of a trophy but the other part wants to just take the gun out and try and increase my chance.

What say you?

[panhandlehunter]

Chances are you won’t see that thing when you hunt for it. If it’s a bobcat what you want, take the gun.

[okrattler]

They're tough animals and can run a long ways mortally wounded and they'll die in the thickest,nastiest stuff they can find. I'd use a gun but that's just me. Enough gun to kill one on the spot.

[N.DaWoods]

Bow if your going to call in day time. Probably gun for night calling. Good luck, your local bird and rabbit population thanks you.

[dustinztx]

12GA is what I am going to use. I have a big Tom roaming the feeders I need to deal with.

[az2tx]

A GOOD bobcat mount is expensive
a lot of bad ones out there

[Turbo6]

They're tough animals and can run a long ways mortally wounded and they'll die in the thickest,nastiest stuff they can find. I'd use a gun but that's just me. Enough gun to kill one on the spot.

Whats "enough" gun for one?

I have a 223, 308 or a 20/12 gauge

[Turbo6]

A GOOD bobcat mount is expensive
a lot of bad ones out there

My taxidermist does them for like 1200ish. They look great

[kcmarullo]

I have shot them with a 223 and 17 HMR both work well.

[Wile E.]

Whats "enough" gun for one?

I have a 223, 308 or a 20/12 gauge

Of those I’d use the .223 for anything beyond 50 yds, shotgun inside of 40-50 yds. Carry both to your stand ideally.

[Phillip Fields]

Bow, I took mine with a longbow.

[RR 314]

12GA is what I am going to use. I have a big Tom roaming the feeders I need to deal with.

I have killed somewhere near a dozen cats with 7 1/2 shot. They die quickly with little pelt damage. The one I shot with a .257 STW was pretty rough.

[BBReezen]

Use the 223 with least exploding tip you can find.

[okrattler]

Whats "enough" gun for one?

I have a 223, 308 or a 20/12 gauge

I like a .223 using Hornady 52gr.BTHP's but a v-max,softpoint or anything but a full metal jacket will work fine. You want a bullet that'll expand or fragment inside the bobcat,dumping all of its energy inside its body and shutting it down quick. A full metal jacket will blow straight through. If you do blow a big hole in it a taxidermist can fix it. If you shoot it with a bullet that doesn't expand or too small of a cartridge or bird shot in your shotgun you're not gaining anything. If it runs off you can't do much with it.

12 gauge with BB shot or #4 buck will shut one down and not cause much fur damage.

[SmTx]

Whats "enough" gun for one?

I have a 223, 308 or a 20/12 gauge

I've shot them with 17hmr, .221 fireball, 22-250