Freelance Reporting
2000 thru Present
Covering events Archery Manufacturers & Merchants Organization (AMO) trade show & Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoor Festival for Bill Jordan’s Realtree, providing an article’s and photographs.
Covering events Fan Fair Archery Shoot Out – Country Music Association, Andy Griggs and Dave Watson Bushnell’s Secrets of the Hunt – providing links for article’s and photographs
Columnist
The Weekend Hunter - Column in the Jackson USA - Newspaper, Jackson, Missouri.
Outdoor Columnist - Column in the Standard Democrat - Newspaper, Sikeston, Missouri
Around the Campfire -National Wild Turkey Federation – Show-Me Gobbler Magazine for State of Missouri
Outdoor Column - Column in the Southeast Missourian - Newspaper, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Missouri
Outdoor Column - The Banner Press – Newspaper in Marble Hill, Mo.
Free Lance Writer and Photographer
My writing credits include articles in a variety of national, regional, and local magazines and web sites ranging from: Missouri Deer Hunter, River Country Outdoors, River Hills Traveler, Realtree Outdoors Web Site, Buckmaster’s Rack Magazine, Banta’s Online Hunting Magazine, Outdoor Guide Magazine, Whitetail Journals Hunt Club Digest, Buckmasters Web Site and Ted Nugent’s Adventure Outdoors Magazine, Whitetails Unlimited Magazine, In-Fisherman Magazine, Permission to Hunt Magazine, Deer and Deer Hunting Magazine, Mossy Oak Game Keeper Magazine, Trapper’s World, Predator Xtreme and American Trapper.
Providing the Whitetail Deer Activity Index for Bass Pro Shops.
Successful hunting means being in the right place at the right time. I have analyzed the lunar influences that help predict deer activity and movement patterns for over 28 years, based on over 2000 daylight sightings of free range deer, and have compiled this information into an easy-to-follow guide that hunters can use to plan their strategies.
2006 Bass Pro Web Site Only
2007 King of Bucks Calendar
2007 - 2008 King of Bucks Calendar
2008 - 2009 King of Bucks Calendar
2009 - 2010 King of Bucks Calendar
2010 - 2011 King of Bucks Calendar
2011 - 2012 King of Bucks Calendar
2012 - 2013 King of Bucks Calendar
2013 - 2014 King of Bucks Calendar
2014 - 2015 King of Bucks Calendar
2015 - 2016 King of Bucks Calendar
Well just reviewed 300,000 game camera photos for last year and, finished my information for the 2015-2016 Whitetail Deer - Daylight Activity Index I share this information with Bass Pro Shop and they put it in their King of Bucks Calendar and have done this for past 11 years with over 28 years of record keeping and now over 2000 wild Whitetail Deer in my study. I believe the new calendar will come this August at a local Bass Pro Store.
Predator Management - Quality Deer Management - Mossy Oak Game Keepers- 2016 Spring Issue
Coyote Chumming - Trapper's World - March / April 2016
Coconut Liner - Predator Xtreme - January/February 2016
Trapper's World - September / October 2015 - Trapper Not a Photographer
TRAPPER – I AM NOT A WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
By: Allen “horntagger” Morris
TRAPPING HISTORY
I have been taking wildlife photos long enough to remember, carrying multiple rolls of 35 mm with me and picking up multiple spent rolls on the ground afterward. I have had articles published on how to take photos of your Trophy Whitetail Bucks for the internet and magazines which all vary in their requirements or lack of.
Trapping has become one of the most enjoyable things I do in a year’s time. But we live in the modern age of trapping where, you run your trap line and you have a catch and within second’s a photo is on social media.
I have heard some trappers say they hate all the photos shown today, but I say just like the days of old. We are recording our own history and because most of today’s photos only exist in the digital world, they are just as fragile as black and white trapping photos of the 1800’s which we all enjoy.
If you don’t record our trapping today, how will we share it with our future? Our kids, grand kids and great grand kids, we all understand how fragile hunting and trapping in today’s modern world is.
TRAPPING WITH CAMERAS
Now for photo’s you are taking for yourself. Really all that matters is there not blurry, take what you like, how you like, with whatever you have and as many as you like. But I do have some suggestion still for you.
You just took a photo with your phone. If you are posting to social media from your phone, STOP consider this, we all have a lot of friends but unless you are posting to a site that is strictly for trapping, not everyone wants to see your trapping photos. Sorry we are in the minority in today’s modern world and a lot people do not hunt or trap. So take time look and look what you are about to post. Crop the photo and make it where people want to see the photo, even if they don’t trap.
If you are really wanting great photos, then you phone is not going to get it.
DIGITAL CAMERA
Digital cameras have come a long way. But trapping you need something small that will fit in a pocket. Something that is water proof and shock proof, because it always wet outside and in your pack or pocket it’s going to get bounce around. If you are water trapping, I even suggest getting floating lanyard, like waterfowl hunters use.
Other cameras may work fine, I have 6 different camera I can go to, I am just giving you examples of what my two favorites, I use for trapping, hunting and fishing.
Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video (Camouflage)
Water-proof, Shock-proof, Freeze-proof: ruggedly built for reliable and comfortable outdoor operation. Water-proof to a depth of 33 feet., Shockproof if dropped from 5 ft, operating temperature down to 14 degrees F, 16 effective megapixel CMOS sensor ideal for low light shooting and fast operation
It takes some great video and the sound it outstanding.
PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL CAMERA
The most expensive and highest quality is designed for pros and semi-pros alike, the Canon EOS 7D is a high-performance digital SLR, that features the resolving power of an 18-megapixel camera. In addition to high-definition still images the Canon EOS 7D can also capture true HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Video clips can be up to 12 minutes in length or 4GB in size, and you can make full use of all Canon EF and EF-S-mount lenses, which enables an exceptional range of creative visual possibilities. Big down fall they are expensive, big, heavy and not waterproof.
But when at all possible, if I catch something really nice, this is the camera I want with me.
STEP by STEP
Here are the steps I use to take photos.
One thing I have learned in my life is to take tons of photos I can always delete the one’s I don’t like. If you use a walking stick, I use a brand called Stoney Point Pole Cat that you can screw camera to top in the field to steady the camera. Remember every animal will have a different attitude just like people so you have to judge on what works with that animals attitude. It’s just like trapping there is a learning curve.
PHOTOS FOR PUBLICATIONS
For photos for publication in magazines, newspapers, websites, etc., a clear, tasteful, and saved at a high enough resolution for print. A lot of trappers do not have photos or do not have many photos to go with their articles, so take time and get lots of photos when you want to show how trapping is done.
If you want to make the cover of a magazine, here is what you will need to do, high resolution, clear, good color, good subject, and preferable taken horizontal. For cover photographs they typically avoid showing traps, blood, or things that takes away from the outstanding furbearer.
Either way, good luck, have fun, take some photos or video and share your adventures with your family and friends. Don’t let history pass you by.
By: Allen “horntagger” Morris
TRAPPING HISTORY
I have been taking wildlife photos long enough to remember, carrying multiple rolls of 35 mm with me and picking up multiple spent rolls on the ground afterward. I have had articles published on how to take photos of your Trophy Whitetail Bucks for the internet and magazines which all vary in their requirements or lack of.
Trapping has become one of the most enjoyable things I do in a year’s time. But we live in the modern age of trapping where, you run your trap line and you have a catch and within second’s a photo is on social media.
I have heard some trappers say they hate all the photos shown today, but I say just like the days of old. We are recording our own history and because most of today’s photos only exist in the digital world, they are just as fragile as black and white trapping photos of the 1800’s which we all enjoy.
If you don’t record our trapping today, how will we share it with our future? Our kids, grand kids and great grand kids, we all understand how fragile hunting and trapping in today’s modern world is.
TRAPPING WITH CAMERAS
Now for photo’s you are taking for yourself. Really all that matters is there not blurry, take what you like, how you like, with whatever you have and as many as you like. But I do have some suggestion still for you.
You just took a photo with your phone. If you are posting to social media from your phone, STOP consider this, we all have a lot of friends but unless you are posting to a site that is strictly for trapping, not everyone wants to see your trapping photos. Sorry we are in the minority in today’s modern world and a lot people do not hunt or trap. So take time look and look what you are about to post. Crop the photo and make it where people want to see the photo, even if they don’t trap.
If you are really wanting great photos, then you phone is not going to get it.
DIGITAL CAMERA
Digital cameras have come a long way. But trapping you need something small that will fit in a pocket. Something that is water proof and shock proof, because it always wet outside and in your pack or pocket it’s going to get bounce around. If you are water trapping, I even suggest getting floating lanyard, like waterfowl hunters use.
Other cameras may work fine, I have 6 different camera I can go to, I am just giving you examples of what my two favorites, I use for trapping, hunting and fishing.
Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video (Camouflage)
Water-proof, Shock-proof, Freeze-proof: ruggedly built for reliable and comfortable outdoor operation. Water-proof to a depth of 33 feet., Shockproof if dropped from 5 ft, operating temperature down to 14 degrees F, 16 effective megapixel CMOS sensor ideal for low light shooting and fast operation
It takes some great video and the sound it outstanding.
PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL CAMERA
The most expensive and highest quality is designed for pros and semi-pros alike, the Canon EOS 7D is a high-performance digital SLR, that features the resolving power of an 18-megapixel camera. In addition to high-definition still images the Canon EOS 7D can also capture true HD 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Video clips can be up to 12 minutes in length or 4GB in size, and you can make full use of all Canon EF and EF-S-mount lenses, which enables an exceptional range of creative visual possibilities. Big down fall they are expensive, big, heavy and not waterproof.
But when at all possible, if I catch something really nice, this is the camera I want with me.
STEP by STEP
Here are the steps I use to take photos.
- Good Catch - First I make sure it’s a good full pad catch, I am out here to trap not to take photos, and loosing an animal because I was taking a photo is something I never want to experience.
- Safety and Respect – This is a wild animal, know exactly where the trap circle is and the range of the animal always make sure you are safe and you respect the animal.
- Sun – Where is the Sun in the sky? Be sure to put it to your back as much as possible.
- Overall - Take some overall standing on different side if the sun allows, but not so far away it looks it hard to see, but still shows some background.
- Knees - Now take some on your knees as close to the trap circle that is safe. Photos from animal’s level always turn out better.
- Lay Down – Photos I have won contest have been while laying on ground. Lay on the ground and don’t move. Once you make yourself smaller than the animal, the animal typically changes their entire attitude.
One thing I have learned in my life is to take tons of photos I can always delete the one’s I don’t like. If you use a walking stick, I use a brand called Stoney Point Pole Cat that you can screw camera to top in the field to steady the camera. Remember every animal will have a different attitude just like people so you have to judge on what works with that animals attitude. It’s just like trapping there is a learning curve.
PHOTOS FOR PUBLICATIONS
For photos for publication in magazines, newspapers, websites, etc., a clear, tasteful, and saved at a high enough resolution for print. A lot of trappers do not have photos or do not have many photos to go with their articles, so take time and get lots of photos when you want to show how trapping is done.
If you want to make the cover of a magazine, here is what you will need to do, high resolution, clear, good color, good subject, and preferable taken horizontal. For cover photographs they typically avoid showing traps, blood, or things that takes away from the outstanding furbearer.
Either way, good luck, have fun, take some photos or video and share your adventures with your family and friends. Don’t let history pass you by.
Summer issue 2015 of leading wildlife management magazine Mossy Oak GameKeepers is out today and has some great articles, with 25 different articles. One sticks out LOL - My article on Why you Should be Keeping Records and photos has been published. Little information on Photo Journals, Soil Test, Plantings and Minerals, Population Survey, Observation Data, Game Cameras Photos, and Deer Movement, Harvest Records, Trapping Records, Sheds Fawning Dates and Developing a Property Management Plan.
BASS PRO SHOPS - KING OF BUCKS CALENDAR
Had one of my photo's for the first time appear on cover of a National Magazine – Trapper’s World - May/June 2015
American Trapper
ROSETTA BOBCAT
By: Allen “horntagger” Morris
BOBCATS
Most people in the modern time will never get to see a bobcat in the wild. Since Bobcats are mainly nocturnal, seeing a Bobcat in the wild is very exciting and something even hunters don’t get to see very often. Even on today’s game camera’s it is very exciting to see a bobcat. As a trapper it is also exciting to turn the corner and see a bobcat, that you have caught and a prize worth the effort to catch and as your skill grows so will the number of Bobcats that you will catch.
I have about 81 acres in Bollinger County in Southeast Missouri. I consider myself very lucky, as a bow hunter I get to spend a lot time in the woods, and on my property I have viewed over a dozen bobcats in the wild. I have even had one stalk me and my son during a spring turkey hunt. Watching these silent killers, move thru the woods, is a great experience and something you will never forget.
Most Bobcats have a yellowish to reddish brown fur that is streaked and spotted with black. This makes them disappear in almost any environment and the perfect hunter. They will take down deer, and turkeys but their main prey is rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and birds.
Bobcat coat pattern is like a finger print. They are born with their coat pattern. This does not change as they age. Their coat pattern is unique to them, and it can be used to identify individuals, if you get some good game camera photos you can watch these individual bobcats.
GENETIC TRAITS
Just like humans, wild animals have genetic traits that don’t appear very often and some are heard of from the general public and some are rarely seen. Like an Albino, Piebald or Melanistic deer. These traits also show up in Raccoons, Opossum, Coyotes and Bobcats and have different color phase in for each animal.
But these are not the popular animals in today’s world so you don’t hear about it as much. But it does not change what the animal is. It is still a deer, raccoon, coyote or bobcat. There not magical, if you kill one they don’t bring you bad luck or good luck. They are just an outstanding catch or kill.
Some of these traits are really rare and that is a term that has to be used with caution, because what is rare in one part of the country is not in another. Even what is rare in one part of the state is common in another down to even a county within a state.
But to a hunter or trapper, these wild animals, with these traits can be a once in a lifetime experience, that may never be repeated or experienced again.
ROSETTA BOBCATS
Have to be one of the most beautiful bobcats you will ever see. When you see it, it will be very special experience, not only that you have caught a bobcat, but one that is more beautiful than words can explain, it is an experience you have to live.
The correct terminology is a Bobcat with Rosetta Spots instead of the just yellowish to reddish brown cat streaked and spotted with black. Instead it will have a rose shaped marking or formation, such as one of the clusters of spots on a leopard’s or jaguar fur. Depending on what part of the country you are in how often this genetic trait shows up. No two will be alike either, some may not be as noticeable, then some bobcat will very distinct Rosetta spots.
When you show a Typical Bobcat next to a Rosetta Bobcat the differences are just amazing. It’s like you are seeing a Jungle Cat.
But if you start trying to find information on this genetic trait in the bobcat world, there is little to no information to be found.
Some parts of the country like Southeast Missouri, this is a very rare catch, even a once in a lifetime catch. For example: From a Trapper, Fur Buyer, Taxidermist and Game Warden in this part of the country, they have only seen one or two in their lifetime.
One of the top regional’s Fur Buyers in this part of the county buys bobcat from 10 to 12 states and sees some each year. The most local ones come mostly from the Ozark range, but can be seen across Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas also, but usually not with marking that well defined or from Southeast Missouri.
He has seen hundreds of bobcats from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, but cannot recall any rosette cats. But, with further investigation I have seen a few photos of Rosetta Bobcats from that region also.
But in states like southern parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia this genetic traits show up more often. In states like Texas, that also might be because Texas has so many bobcats and more caught, the odds go up that all genetic traits show up more often. So this Bobcat is not rare, just not common for lack of a better phrase. But no matter what it’s still consider a spectacular catch.
For a trapper the spotted white belly fur is what the fur industry is looking for and where the money in the fur is. Rosetta Spots on a Bobcat can also bring top dollar across the country depending on length, width of spotting and how the bobcat is put up. North America Fur Auction is the largest handler of wild fur in the world and sells approximately 30,000 bobcats a year, from all over North America.
These rosettes are more prominent in certain areas (in the fur business these are referred to sections), but are by no means common in any of these areas. Commercially these bob cats have greater value than the plain backed cat (rabbit back) with similar size grade and belly color. These cats generally bring a 10 to 20% premium over a plain back type, consequently from a marketing standpoint, it is advantageous for North American Fur Auctions to separate these cats and sell them separately so they can be made into a special piece by the fur industry
But it’s a taxidermist dream. These cats are sought after by taxidermist to mount and then resale and can bring top dollar.
From the North America Fur Auction the sections that produce more of this type of bobcat are the southwestern states, typically the plains and desert areas, usually sections we refer to as South Western and Western Semi Heavy. The bobcats found at higher elevation the northern tier or the eastern United States have a much lower percentage of the type of spotted backed bobcat.
There are no stats but at auction I am told and this is a guess and only a guess that 50 out of 1000 will have Rosetta Spots will show up at a national auction and this will also depend on the year. But since this trait is wanted by Taxidermist across the country, this number is still skewed from year to year. So there is no scientific way to really know how rare or common this is.
It is not a bobcat you can target it because an incidental catch or kill, as you target bobcats during the season. But sometimes those are the best catches or kills.
SELL OR MOUNT
On November 1st, 2014 I got my first glance at my first ever Rosetta Bobcat on my Game Camera on the Northwest side of my property. I have never seen anything like it. I was able to get more photos of this Rosetta Bobcat along with a very large bobcat on game camera on November 14th as it had switched to the Southeast side of my property. It was like watching a Jungle Cat.
With all the predators roaming my woods, 8 months earlier I decided to step up my game and drove 4 hours for an event in Laurie, Missouri that the Missouri Trappers Association hosted and took a Cable Restraint Certification Class that the Missouri Department of Conservation Department put on.
November 28th, 2014 a day most call Black Friday could not have been a more exciting day. I am sure glad I took the Cable Restraint Class also, because I setup my Cable Restraint on a few trails going to deer carcasses that I had placed from firearms season in the center of my property, because as I walked up and their stands a Bobcat with Rosetta Spots.
There was tons of excitement centered around these Rosetta Spots as I shared photos. I even had 5 offers within 24 hours to buy this 16 lb Female with Rosetta Spots. I was going to sell it to a fur buyer and then found out information on how rare it was for this area.
After 72 hours I decided to have it mounted, because it is highly likely I will never catch another one in my lifetime.
If you do get a bobcat and you can’t decide what to do with it. Here are some suggestion that where passed along to me and the care you should take when putting your bobcat into the freezer.
Freeze it whole with all legs spread and fold the ears down toward the nose. Then take it to an auction. It may be worth a few hundred dollars, depending on how the market is for that year.
Put whole thing in garbage bag. Then put the whole thing in a second garbage bag. You can also add Vaseline to its nose and foot pads to keep them from drying out. But that is your choice.
If you don’t get what you feel it’s worth then have it mounted.
What I have learned after catching this Rosetta Bobcat has been one of the most interesting and hard to find topics I have ever seen, even with modern day worldwide web. The only thing that could have made this cat worth more on the Taxidermy market would have been if it was a big male. This Rosetta Bobcat would bring about what a Typical Big Male would bring from a Taxidermist buying it.
But if you are one of the lucky ones in the country that catch your first Bobcats with Rosetta Spots, I hope these photos and information might help you decide on what you want to do with your Bobcat.
Either way, it is the ultimate predator and a BEAUTIFUL BOBCAT.
By: Allen “horntagger” Morris
BOBCATS
Most people in the modern time will never get to see a bobcat in the wild. Since Bobcats are mainly nocturnal, seeing a Bobcat in the wild is very exciting and something even hunters don’t get to see very often. Even on today’s game camera’s it is very exciting to see a bobcat. As a trapper it is also exciting to turn the corner and see a bobcat, that you have caught and a prize worth the effort to catch and as your skill grows so will the number of Bobcats that you will catch.
I have about 81 acres in Bollinger County in Southeast Missouri. I consider myself very lucky, as a bow hunter I get to spend a lot time in the woods, and on my property I have viewed over a dozen bobcats in the wild. I have even had one stalk me and my son during a spring turkey hunt. Watching these silent killers, move thru the woods, is a great experience and something you will never forget.
Most Bobcats have a yellowish to reddish brown fur that is streaked and spotted with black. This makes them disappear in almost any environment and the perfect hunter. They will take down deer, and turkeys but their main prey is rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and birds.
Bobcat coat pattern is like a finger print. They are born with their coat pattern. This does not change as they age. Their coat pattern is unique to them, and it can be used to identify individuals, if you get some good game camera photos you can watch these individual bobcats.
GENETIC TRAITS
Just like humans, wild animals have genetic traits that don’t appear very often and some are heard of from the general public and some are rarely seen. Like an Albino, Piebald or Melanistic deer. These traits also show up in Raccoons, Opossum, Coyotes and Bobcats and have different color phase in for each animal.
But these are not the popular animals in today’s world so you don’t hear about it as much. But it does not change what the animal is. It is still a deer, raccoon, coyote or bobcat. There not magical, if you kill one they don’t bring you bad luck or good luck. They are just an outstanding catch or kill.
Some of these traits are really rare and that is a term that has to be used with caution, because what is rare in one part of the country is not in another. Even what is rare in one part of the state is common in another down to even a county within a state.
But to a hunter or trapper, these wild animals, with these traits can be a once in a lifetime experience, that may never be repeated or experienced again.
ROSETTA BOBCATS
Have to be one of the most beautiful bobcats you will ever see. When you see it, it will be very special experience, not only that you have caught a bobcat, but one that is more beautiful than words can explain, it is an experience you have to live.
The correct terminology is a Bobcat with Rosetta Spots instead of the just yellowish to reddish brown cat streaked and spotted with black. Instead it will have a rose shaped marking or formation, such as one of the clusters of spots on a leopard’s or jaguar fur. Depending on what part of the country you are in how often this genetic trait shows up. No two will be alike either, some may not be as noticeable, then some bobcat will very distinct Rosetta spots.
When you show a Typical Bobcat next to a Rosetta Bobcat the differences are just amazing. It’s like you are seeing a Jungle Cat.
But if you start trying to find information on this genetic trait in the bobcat world, there is little to no information to be found.
Some parts of the country like Southeast Missouri, this is a very rare catch, even a once in a lifetime catch. For example: From a Trapper, Fur Buyer, Taxidermist and Game Warden in this part of the country, they have only seen one or two in their lifetime.
One of the top regional’s Fur Buyers in this part of the county buys bobcat from 10 to 12 states and sees some each year. The most local ones come mostly from the Ozark range, but can be seen across Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas also, but usually not with marking that well defined or from Southeast Missouri.
He has seen hundreds of bobcats from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, but cannot recall any rosette cats. But, with further investigation I have seen a few photos of Rosetta Bobcats from that region also.
But in states like southern parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia this genetic traits show up more often. In states like Texas, that also might be because Texas has so many bobcats and more caught, the odds go up that all genetic traits show up more often. So this Bobcat is not rare, just not common for lack of a better phrase. But no matter what it’s still consider a spectacular catch.
For a trapper the spotted white belly fur is what the fur industry is looking for and where the money in the fur is. Rosetta Spots on a Bobcat can also bring top dollar across the country depending on length, width of spotting and how the bobcat is put up. North America Fur Auction is the largest handler of wild fur in the world and sells approximately 30,000 bobcats a year, from all over North America.
These rosettes are more prominent in certain areas (in the fur business these are referred to sections), but are by no means common in any of these areas. Commercially these bob cats have greater value than the plain backed cat (rabbit back) with similar size grade and belly color. These cats generally bring a 10 to 20% premium over a plain back type, consequently from a marketing standpoint, it is advantageous for North American Fur Auctions to separate these cats and sell them separately so they can be made into a special piece by the fur industry
But it’s a taxidermist dream. These cats are sought after by taxidermist to mount and then resale and can bring top dollar.
From the North America Fur Auction the sections that produce more of this type of bobcat are the southwestern states, typically the plains and desert areas, usually sections we refer to as South Western and Western Semi Heavy. The bobcats found at higher elevation the northern tier or the eastern United States have a much lower percentage of the type of spotted backed bobcat.
There are no stats but at auction I am told and this is a guess and only a guess that 50 out of 1000 will have Rosetta Spots will show up at a national auction and this will also depend on the year. But since this trait is wanted by Taxidermist across the country, this number is still skewed from year to year. So there is no scientific way to really know how rare or common this is.
It is not a bobcat you can target it because an incidental catch or kill, as you target bobcats during the season. But sometimes those are the best catches or kills.
SELL OR MOUNT
On November 1st, 2014 I got my first glance at my first ever Rosetta Bobcat on my Game Camera on the Northwest side of my property. I have never seen anything like it. I was able to get more photos of this Rosetta Bobcat along with a very large bobcat on game camera on November 14th as it had switched to the Southeast side of my property. It was like watching a Jungle Cat.
With all the predators roaming my woods, 8 months earlier I decided to step up my game and drove 4 hours for an event in Laurie, Missouri that the Missouri Trappers Association hosted and took a Cable Restraint Certification Class that the Missouri Department of Conservation Department put on.
November 28th, 2014 a day most call Black Friday could not have been a more exciting day. I am sure glad I took the Cable Restraint Class also, because I setup my Cable Restraint on a few trails going to deer carcasses that I had placed from firearms season in the center of my property, because as I walked up and their stands a Bobcat with Rosetta Spots.
There was tons of excitement centered around these Rosetta Spots as I shared photos. I even had 5 offers within 24 hours to buy this 16 lb Female with Rosetta Spots. I was going to sell it to a fur buyer and then found out information on how rare it was for this area.
After 72 hours I decided to have it mounted, because it is highly likely I will never catch another one in my lifetime.
If you do get a bobcat and you can’t decide what to do with it. Here are some suggestion that where passed along to me and the care you should take when putting your bobcat into the freezer.
Freeze it whole with all legs spread and fold the ears down toward the nose. Then take it to an auction. It may be worth a few hundred dollars, depending on how the market is for that year.
Put whole thing in garbage bag. Then put the whole thing in a second garbage bag. You can also add Vaseline to its nose and foot pads to keep them from drying out. But that is your choice.
If you don’t get what you feel it’s worth then have it mounted.
What I have learned after catching this Rosetta Bobcat has been one of the most interesting and hard to find topics I have ever seen, even with modern day worldwide web. The only thing that could have made this cat worth more on the Taxidermy market would have been if it was a big male. This Rosetta Bobcat would bring about what a Typical Big Male would bring from a Taxidermist buying it.
But if you are one of the lucky ones in the country that catch your first Bobcats with Rosetta Spots, I hope these photos and information might help you decide on what you want to do with your Bobcat.
Either way, it is the ultimate predator and a BEAUTIFUL BOBCAT.