gofish Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 They started this past summer in the middle of the night, footsteps walking down the hallway of my home. The hubby and I thought it was one of the kids up for some reason. The kids thought it was me getting up for work. After the second time it happened we asked the kids who was up stomping down the hallway in the middle of the night. No one admitted to the crime of waking everyone up. It couldn't have been the dog because you hear the rattle of the tags on the collar and I don't have carpet in my house so you hear his nails on the floor. A few weeks pass without the mysterious footsteps then one evening just after dark Pa and I were in the living room and DD2 was in her bedroom when we hear them again. DD came out of her bedroom upset telling us someone was in the basement and we told her the footsteps was coming from the roof. We go outside but see nothing in the dark. The footsteps are firm and heavy sounding. Defiantly not the scrambling of a squirrel, racoon or opossum. This past week hubby and I went to the store and when we got home Son and DD2 were outside on top on the truck with flashlights and a shotgun looking at the roof. The footsteps were back. I went inside and the kids saw something so son took a warning shot and I could hear footsteps running across the roof. When the kids came inside they told me that the creature was about big (about the size of a 30-50 lb dog) had a short stubby tail and looked like a cat. While very,very rare in this area there has been reports of a bob cat south of me recently. After hunting season we are going to borrow a trail cam of set it up on our roof and see for sure what our mysterious footsteps belong to. Makes me worried for the chickens and ducks, While a racoon would have a hard time getting into their pen I don't think it's bob cat proof. Quote Link to comment
Daylily Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Oh my! That would be unnerving! Quote Link to comment
Christy Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Oops, how would one go about catching it? Is it protected or can one "take care" of it? Quote Link to comment
gofish Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 They are on a list. If we have proof it becomes a DNR problem. Quote Link to comment
sassenach Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Ok, will DNR do something about it? If they do not.... you will have to ,, bottom line. One can get havahart traps large enough for bobcats. Bait with some organ meats or something cheap and set it in an open area near the coop. Once caught, you have proof and DNR will hopefully remove and re- home further out in the woods. Or you kill it and tell no one and bury the body. I would always put my young children first before a predator if I had charge of young children. Definitely work on strengthening your coops and sheds though. It may go on about it's business after a few attempts if it is too difficult. Quote Link to comment
Annarchy Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 We have a friend who traps bob cats. He was getting $900.00 per pelt last year. Quote Link to comment
Jeepers Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 At first I was thinking of one of those Canadian geese. They have landed on my roof and they sound like a man walking around up there. But since you guys saw something feline type and it was at night, that would leave out a goose. Sheesh, guard your animals. I'd imagine it wouldn't hesitate attacking your dog either. And if in a stalking mode, it would probably come after a human too. Please be careful and aware when outside! Quote Link to comment
Mt_Rider Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Bobcats are usually shy around here. I'm glad they/it didn't stay around cuz it could climb the duck fence. For some reason, they/it was here and then...moved on? Well I know I wasn't the one to shoot/shovel/shut-up....... MtRider ....Lynx are protected here, I think. Trouble is....seems to be a variety of descriptions that fit both bobcat and lynx. Quote Link to comment
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