Should I try and kill this bobcat?

[Coffetym]

I live in the southeast in the good ole USA. So far, we haven’t given up all of our freedoms & liberties yet like some unfortunate countries have, so with that said, I own my property & pay taxes on it. Anything or anyone that comes on my property uninvited will have to comply with my rules & have a good reason why they are on my property. Coming to steal a free meal from what is mine is NOT a good reason or idea. It just isn’t healthy.

 

[UglyDuckling1009]

I know this thread is old, but what did you end up doing? I have a bob cat taking a duck every other night. Its not possible for me to keep them fenced and now the bobcat took a chicken during the day. She killed a nesting duck and ate the fertile eggs. It keeps getting worse each night.

 

[Altairsky]

When there are predators, free ranging is not an option.
Killing the predator is pointless. It's just a wild animal try to survive, and we are the ones who invaded their territory first.
If it was me, I would still free range but only inside an electric fence.
Get a big rooster for aerial predators.
Choose smart and agile chicken breeds who can fly and escape easily.
I have no problem shooting rogue dogs, but I would never shoot a native wild predator.

 

[Betsy57]

I know this thread is old, but what did you end up doing? I have a bob cat taking a duck every other night. Its not possible for me to keep them fenced and now the bobcat took a chicken during the day. She killed a nesting duck and ate the fertile eggs. It keeps getting worse each night.

I got a wildlife nuisance permit and dispatched two of them.

 

[Acre4Me]

I know this thread is old, but what did you end up doing? I have a bob cat taking a duck every other night. Its not possible for me to keep them fenced and now the bobcat took a chicken during the day. She killed a nesting duck and ate the fertile eggs. It keeps getting worse each night.

Check your dept of wildlife to see what steps they recommend, and what is lawful (or not) in dealing with this larger predator.

You now have a dinner buffet and predator will keep coming back until buffet is closed.

People who insist that free ranging is the only way, or that they cannot fence them need to have a replacement plan for the ones lost to the great circle of free-range-life. Basically, know that you will loose various animals and need to routinely replace them.

 

[Debbie292d]

I got a wildlife nuisance permit and dispatched two of them.

In Wisconsin, if they're on your property and threatening you or your livestock, no permit is needed. The bear we just scare off by shooting a shotgun in the air. The rest of the wildlife our dogs keep away. There's been a sick skunk and a sick raccoon wind up in our yard over the years and I don't understand why they come out of the woods to die, but I put them both out of their misery.

We've free-ranged for over 8 years. The first year, we lost a chicken every couple of months. Then got the dogs and a plethora of solar motion lights and never lost one since.

 

[Jenbirdee]

In Wisconsin, if they're on your property and threatening you or your livestock, no permit is needed. The bear we just scare off by shooting a shotgun in the air. The rest of the wildlife our dogs keep away. There's been a sick skunk and a sick raccoon wind up in our yard over the years and I don't understand why they come out of the woods to die, but I put them both out of their misery.

We've free-ranged for over 8 years. The first year, we lost a chicken every couple of months. Then got the dogs and a plethora of solar motion lights and never lost one since.

I love that word - plethora

 

[cassie]

Have you thought about electric poultry fencing? If you kill that bobcat another will take its place. As a poultry owner it is your job to protect your birds, not to exterminate the local wildlife.

 

[eworms]

Patrol the area regularly to get your scent all over the ground. It won't stop every predator, but it can make them think twice. Consider getting a dog, though you'll have another animal to feed and you'll need to train it to leave your chickens alone.

Finally, I'd shoot the bobcat and then drop the carcass next to the chicken coop. They're omnivores. Might give the chickens some help and cut it open, but otherwise, they'll know what to do.

 

[Coffetym]

When there are predators, free ranging is not an option.
Killing the predator is pointless. It's just a wild animal try to survive, and we are the ones who invaded their territory first.
If it was me, I would still free range but only inside an electric fence.
Get a big rooster for aerial predators.
Choose smart and agile chicken breeds who can fly and escape easily.
I have no problem shooting rogue dogs, but I would never shoot a native wild predator.

When there are predators, free ranging is not an option.
Killing the predator is pointless. It's just a wild animal try to survive, and we are the ones who invaded their territory first.
If it was me, I would still free range but only inside an electric fence.
Get a big rooster for aerial predators.
Choose smart and agile chicken breeds who can fly and escape easily.
I have no problem shooting rogue dogs, but I would never shoot a native wild predator.

I don’t have a clue what you might know about that fact of nature called the food chain, but most predatory animals have no natural enemies that they have to worry about. If the predator population is never controlled, it becomes extremely overpopulated & will become a danger & a nuisance to humans, pet’s & livestock.
You may not believe it but a bobcat or a coyote especially if the coyote is in a pack will not hesitate to take your little fluffy poodle out of your yard & even attack children. You might find this hard to believe but I’ve lived in rural/country areas most of my life & personally know people that can attest to this.