"Bycatch" is the term we use to signify non-target species we catch in our traps. When trapping for bobcats you will invariably encounter other hungry carnivores with a taste for chicken. Relax, no roosters are harmed in the making of this thesis! We house them in separate cages with shade, food and water and they lure the cats (or other critters) in with their crowing. We also use game cameras to monitor some of our more popular trap sites to see who's sniffing around and to scout out potential new locations. I've attached a few pictures of the animals I've encountered during my quest to be a Bobcat Rockstar. Hope you enjoy!
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| One of the 6 badgers I caught this summer |
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| They're very calm and docile until threatened |
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| This one could have cared less about me being there, notice the rooster looking on! |
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| A female bobcat caught on private land |
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| She was collared and tagged and is currently being monitored for my thesis |
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| A coyote in a cage trap! Rare in this area but it happens |
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| This coyote was also very docile, no sign of aggression |
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| Three European feral hog piglets decided to squeeze in together |
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| A seemingly innocent red fox; these, however, are very aggressive when caught! |
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| The release! Photo by Ray Matlack |
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| Photo by Ray Matlack |
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| There's no shortage of striped skunks in the Panhandle |
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| She was very curious |
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| Me and a female woodrat |
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| Prairie rattlesnakes are a common occurrence in west Texas - wear your snake guards! |
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