Running Hounds for Bobcats

Running hounds for bobcats in Missouri can feel like chasing a ghost, especially when you're dealing with their secretive nature and vast territories. It's a challenging, often frustrating, but incredibly rewarding pursuit that demands dedication, skilled dogs, and a deep understanding of these elusive furbearers. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of bobcat hunting with hounds in the Show-Me State, covering everything from understanding their habits to the gear you'll need and the rules you must follow to make your hunts successful and ethical.

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Understanding Missouri Bobcats and Their Habits

Bobcats, with their distinctive short tails and tufted ears, are magnificent furbearers that thrive in Missouri's diverse landscapes. However, their nocturnal and secretive nature makes them a true test for any hound hunter. Success begins with understanding where they live and how they behave.

Where Bobcats Live in Missouri

Missouri bobcats are found throughout the entire state, exhibiting remarkable adaptability to various environments. However, their populations tend to be densest in the more rugged, timbered areas, particularly within the vast expanses of the Ozarks. Imagine the deep hollows, rocky bluffs, and extensive creek bottoms that crisscross southern Missouri – these are prime bobcat strongholds. They thrive where there's dense cover for both hunting their prey and for establishing secure dens. You'll often find them lurking along brushy creek drainages, in cedar thickets, and within stands of mature timber that offer plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and small rodents—their primary food sources.

While the Ozarks are a hotspot, don't discount northern Missouri entirely. Areas with extensive river breaks, isolated timber patches, and brushy fencerows in otherwise agricultural landscapes can also hold healthy bobcat numbers. These cats are masters of using whatever cover is available to them. Identifying these key habitat types, whether you're using a physical map or a sophisticated app like GoHunt to analyze terrain, is your crucial first step in finding a track and having a successful hunt.

Bobcat Behavior and Diet

Bobcats are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, and throughout the night. This is precisely why many hound hunts often begin in the early morning, as hunters attempt to locate a fresh track from the bobcat's overnight travels. They are solitary creatures for most of the year, generally only coming together briefly during breeding season.

Their individual home ranges can be quite extensive, especially for male bobcats, often spanning several square miles. This means your hounds will need to possess significant stamina and the ability to cover substantial ground quickly. Their diet is varied but heavily relies on readily available small mammals such as rabbits, mice, voles, and squirrels. However, they are opportunistic predators and won't hesitate to take advantage of birds, young deer fawns, or even domestic poultry if an easy meal presents itself. This keen predatory instinct and their inherent stealth make them an incredibly challenging and thrilling animal to pursue with a pack of dogs. They are incredibly agile, capable of scaling trees with surprising speed, and masters of evading pursuit through the densest undergrowth. When you're Running Hounds in Missouri, knowing what these cats are eating and where they're bedding down will give you a significant advantage in predicting their movements and finding their tracks.

Essential Gear and Hound Breeds for Bobcat Hunting

A successful bobcat hunt with hounds is a true team effort, heavily relying on the capabilities of your dogs and the right equipment to support both them and you through the demanding chase.

Choosing the Right Hounds

The performance of your pack is, without exaggeration, the linchpin of a productive bobcat hunt. You need dogs with exceptionally keen noses, relentless drive, superb stamina, and the unwavering ability to hold a track through incredibly difficult and varied terrain. While many breeds can chase, specific characteristics make certain hounds shine when pursuing bobcats.

Popular breeds often favored by bobcat hunters in Missouri include:

Treeing Walkers: These hounds are celebrated for their impressive speed, their ability to "cold trail" an older scent, and their aggressive, sustained treeing abilities. They are known for being vocal and incredibly persistent, often pushing a bobcat hard until it seeks refuge up a tree.
Blueticks: Often recognized as excellent cold trailers, Blueticks tend to be slower and more methodical on a track, meticulously unraveling older scent trails. They are renowned for their incredible endurance, making them valuable for long, drawn-out chases.
Redbones: Strong, durable dogs with excellent noses and a distinctive, beautiful bugle cry that carries well through the timber. They are typically very tenacious, sticking to a track until the bitter end.
Leopard Curs: This is a versatile breed known for its intelligence, courage, and a strong, natural treeing instinct. They are often a good choice for hunters looking for a multi-purpose dog that can handle various game species.
Plotthounds: While traditionally known for their bear and hog hunting prowess, Plotthounds are also formidable bobcat dogs. Their courage, strength, and loud, aggressive bay are excellent for pushing a strong cat.

Many seasoned hunters opt to run a mixed pack, strategically leveraging the unique strengths of each breed. For instance, a cold-nosed Bluetick might be used to strike an older track and get the chase started, while faster Treeing Walkers are then released to push the cat once it's been jumped and is actively running. Crucially, it's vital to train your dogs specifically for bobcats, minimizing their interest in deer or other non-target species. This specialized training is absolutely essential for a clean, ethical hunt, preventing unnecessary stress on other wildlife. Building a good pack is a significant investment of time, money, and unwavering dedication, but it’s what truly defines and elevates this unique style of hunting.

Key Gear for Hunters and Dogs

Beyond the hounds themselves, you'll need a range of specific gear to effectively navigate the challenges of bobcat hunting in Missouri. The terrain can be unforgiving, and the chases can be long.

GPS Tracking Collars: These are, without a doubt, non-negotiable. Modern systems, like those offered by Garmin or the GoHunt Alpha series, are industry standards. They provide real-time tracking of your dogs' movements, instantly alert you when they've treed a cat, and, most importantly, ensure their safety by allowing you to locate them even when they're miles away and out of earshot. These dogs can cover vast distances in a chase, often disappearing into thick timber or deep hollows.
Durable Boots and Clothing: Prepare for rigorous physical activity. You will be walking, scrambling, climbing, and often running through rugged, briar-filled terrain. Durable, comfortable, and waterproof boots with excellent ankle support are paramount. Tear-resistant clothing, such as heavy-duty brush pants and sturdy jackets, is also a must. Layering your clothing is always a good strategy, as early mornings can be quite chilly, but the exertion of following a chase can quickly warm you up.
First Aid Kits: Carry a comprehensive first aid kit for both yourself and your dogs. Cuts, scrapes, insect stings, and even snakebites (especially during warmer months) can happen unexpectedly in the dense woods. A well-stocked kit can be a lifesaver.
Reliable Lights: Many bobcat hunts, due to the animals' crepuscular nature or the sheer length of the chase, can extend into the evening or even start in the dark. This is especially relevant given Missouri's Night Hunting Rules for Missouri Predators. High-quality headlamps and powerful handheld spotlights are absolutely essential for safe navigation, locating your dogs, and for the safe descent of treacherous terrain after dark.
Ample Water: For both you and your dogs. Even in cooler weather, dogs working hard will dehydrate rapidly. Always carry plenty of water, especially if you're deep in the remote sections of the Ozarks, far from natural water sources. Consider a specialized hydration pack for yourself and collapsible bowls for your dogs.
Appropriate Weapon: While your hounds do the hard work of finding and treeing the bobcat, you, the hunter, are responsible for a quick and humane dispatch. A .22 caliber rifle or pistol is typically favored, as bobcats are relatively small and this caliber minimizes hide damage if you plan to keep the fur. Always ensure your chosen weapon is legal for the specific season and conditions you're hunting in. For instance, confirm its legality during the Alternative Methods Portion Weapon Choices if that aligns with your hunt timing. Furthermore, always check the current Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regulations concerning Missouri Predator and Furbearer Hunting in Missouri to ensure full compliance.

The Hunt: From Strike to Tree

The actual hunt for a bobcat with hounds is a dynamic and often unpredictable sequence of events, demanding sharp senses, quick decisions, and unwavering perseverance from both hunter and dog. It's a journey filled with the unique music of the chase.

Scouting and Finding a Fresh Track

The groundwork for a successful bobcat hunt often begins long before your dogs ever hit the ground. Effective scouting is absolutely paramount. Focus your efforts on identifying areas with dense cover, rocky outcrops, natural pinch points, and established creek beds where bobcats are known to frequent. Fresh snow cover or even just damp ground can be invaluable, as it readily reveals tracks, giving you a distinct advantage in determining recent bobcat activity. In the absence of snow, look for other signs like scat, scratch marks on trees, or remnants of their prey.

Many experienced hound hunters begin their day by "road hunting" at first light. This involves slowly driving logging roads, gravel trails, or even less-traveled county roads, constantly scanning for a fresh track—what's often referred to as a "strike." The goal is to find a track that's only hours old, not days, indicating the bobcat passed through recently. Once a promising track is identified, the lead dog, usually a cold-nosed trailer, is carefully put on the scent, and that's when the real work begins. This phase demands immense patience; it's not uncommon to drive for hours, searching through potential areas, before finding anything worthwhile. Leveraging digital tools such as the GoHunt app's mapping features and satellite imagery can significantly aid in identifying promising strike areas by highlighting bottlenecks, creek crossings, and areas of heavy cover where a bobcat might have traveled.

The Chase and What to Expect

Once your dogs are confidently on a fresh track, the chase truly begins. The distinct sounds of your hounds baying, chopping, and trailing through the timber create the thrilling soundtrack of this sport. You'll learn to recognize the nuanced changes in their vocalizations as they work the track: a steady "chop" when they're methodically following the scent, a more excited and rapid bark when they've successfully "jumped" the cat (meaning the bobcat is now actively running from them), and then an unmistakable, fervent, and continuous bay once the bobcat has been "treed."

Bobcats are incredibly cunning and surprisingly fast. They will employ every trick in their repertoire to shake off the dogs: running through water to break the scent trail, crossing open fields quickly, doubling back on their own tracks, and seeking refuge in smaller, dense trees or impenetrable thickets. This is where the sheer stamina, unwavering determination, and specialized training of your hounds are put to the ultimate test. As the hunter, you will be following on foot, often at a brisk pace, navigating whatever rugged and challenging terrain the chase leads you through. Keep a vigilant eye on your GPS collars; they are your absolute lifeline to your dogs and provide critical information on where the action is unfolding. Be mentally and physically prepared for long, arduous walks, pushing through dense briars, scrambling up steep hills, and wading across creeks. For a deeper dive into the sounds and tactics of the chase, consider exploring resources on Rattling and Grunting in the Rut, which, while focused on deer, offers insights into interpreting animal vocalizations in the wild.

Treeding and Recovery

Eventually, if your hounds are skilled, persistent, and well-trained, they will "tree" the bobcat. This means the cat has climbed a tree, sought refuge in a dense thicket, or found shelter in a rock crevice to escape the relentless pursuit of the dogs. The moment you hear your pack's frantic, excited baying concentrated around the base of a single tree is an unforgettable experience for any hound hunter.

Once you finally reach the treed cat, take a moment to compose yourself and, most importantly, check on the well-being and safety of your dogs. Ensure they are not in a position where an agitated bobcat could potentially injure them, as a cornered cat can be dangerous. Carefully assess the situation for a safe, ethical shot. The goal is always a quick, humane dispatch of the animal. Before handling the bobcat, always be acutely aware of Missouri's specific Missouri Bobcat and Otter Tagging requirements, as specific rules apply to the tagging and reporting of furbearers. Once the bobcat is down, quickly secure your dogs to prevent any potential injury from the downed cat. It is also absolutely crucial to record your harvest meticulously, adhering to any Missouri Furbearer Permit Rules and all reporting requirements set forth by the MDC. This moment marks the culmination of a successful hunt, often leaving both dogs and hunters tired but filled with a profound sense of accomplishment. Remember, even after the shot, you'll still have the significant task of retrieving the bobcat and making your way back to your vehicle, which could be miles away through the challenging terrain you just covered.

Rules, Regulations, and Ethical Considerations

Participating in any hunting activity in Missouri means being a responsible steward of the land and its wildlife. This includes understanding and strictly following all regulations, as well as upholding high ethical standards for yourself and your dogs.

Missouri Specific Regulations

Hunting bobcats with hounds in Missouri requires strict adherence to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regulations. The furbearer hunting season typically runs from mid-November through January, but these specific dates can vary slightly year to year. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to always check the current MDC Furbearer Regulations pamphlet or website before planning any hunt.

To hunt bobcats, you will need a valid permit, typically a Missouri Combination Hunting and Fishing Permit or a resident or nonresident small game permit. There are specific annual limits on how many bobcats you can harvest, and each bobcat taken must be immediately tagged with a special bobcat carcass tag. These tags are provided when you purchase your permit and must remain securely attached to the carcass until it is processed. Transporting an untagged bobcat carcass is illegal and can result in severe penalties. It's also critically important to fully understand and abide by Missouri's Night Hunting Rules for Missouri Predators, as certain methods and conditions, especially those involving artificial lights, are restricted or prohibited during nighttime hours. Always consult the official MDC website for the most up-to-date and specific details on seasons, bag limits, tagging procedures, and allowed hunting methods. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse, and violations can lead to significant fines and potential loss of hunting privileges, outlined under Missouri Wildlife Violation Penalties.

Responsible Hunting Practices

Ethical hunting practices are the bedrock of our hunting heritage and are paramount in any pursuit, with bobcat hunting with hounds being no exception. These practices ensure the health of the wildlife population, respect for the animals, and positive public perception of hunting.

Unwavering Dog Care: Your dogs are not merely tools; they are your dedicated partners in the field. Their health, safety, and well-being must always be your absolute top priority. Provide them with proper nutrition, consistent and specialized training, regular veterinary care, and ensure they are physically conditioned for the rigorous demands of the chase. Never push them beyond their physical limits, especially during periods of extreme weather conditions like excessive heat or bitter cold.
Adherence to Fair Chase Principles: While the hounds do an incredible amount of work in locating and pursuing the bobcat, the hunter still bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a fair chase. This means consciously avoiding situations where the bobcat is unfairly disadvantaged, such as chasing an animal that is clearly exhausted, injured, or trapped in an impossible situation with no means of escape.
Prompt, Humane Harvests: Once a bobcat has been successfully treed, your objective must be a swift and humane kill. Utilize an appropriate caliber weapon, as discussed earlier, and strive for a clean, ethical shot that results in immediate incapacitation. This demonstrates respect for the animal and prevents unnecessary suffering.
Respect for Landowners and Wildlife: If you are hunting on private land, it is absolutely imperative to always secure proper Do You Need Written Permission in Missouri? from the landowners well in advance and to meticulously respect their property. This includes understanding their boundaries, leaving gates as you found them, and removing all trash. If you are hunting on public land, always be mindful of other users of the land (hikers, birdwatchers, etc.) and adhere to all public land rules and regulations. Being a responsible hunter also entails knowing what to do with your harvest. If you do not intend to utilize the bobcat's fur, consider donating it to a program or finding someone who can ethically put it to good use. The ethical pursuit of bobcats not only honors the animal but also helps ensure the continued future of this exciting and challenging hunting tradition for generations to come.

Hound Breed (Common)	Primary Strengths	Notes for Bobcat Hunting	Endurance Level	Vocalization Level
Treeing Walker Coonhound	Speed, Aggressive Treeing, Cold Nose	Excellent for fast-paced chases; can be prone to "deer-run" if not well-trained for bobcats.	High	High
Bluetick Coonhound	Cold Trailer, Endurance, Methodical	Slower, but tenacious on older tracks; good for starting a chase.	Very High	Medium-High
Redbone Coonhound	Stamina, Good Nose, Bold	Strong, durable dogs with a distinct "bugle" bark; persistent.	High	Medium-High
Leopard Cur	Intelligence, Courage, Versatility	All-around hunting dog; strong treeing instinct; good for mixed packs.	Medium-High	Medium
Plotthound	Courage, Strength, Tenacity, Strong Bay	Known for pursuing big game, but excellent for aggressive bobcats; can be very powerful.	High	High

Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Hunting regulations, seasons, and permit requirements are subject to change by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Always consult the official MDC website or relevant local authorities for the most current and accurate information before planning any hunting activity. The author and publisher are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information in this guide.