Bobcats - Bobcat trapping and removal in Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia

Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services offers predator control to farmers throughout
Virginia.

It is important to understand that effective predator control is a year-round process - it is not the
type of wildlife problem that can resolved with spot-treatment. To be truly effective it requires a
comprehensive plan covering all twelve months of the year. Virginia Professional Wildlife
Removal Services does not use, or recommend, poisons or M-44 cyanide guns for predator
control in Virginia. While effective, we believe they are far too dangerous to domestic pets and
non-target animals that are found so commonly in Virginia.

At Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services we are constantly seeking to advance our
education so that we may serve you better.

Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services routinely provides predator control to Central
and Eastern Virginia - including Albemarle, Goochland, Louisa, Fluvanna, Powhatan, Henrico and
Hanover Counties, as well as the cities of Charlottesville and Richmond, and the towns of Mineral,
Gordonsville, Earlysville, and Keswick. We can also travel to other areas of Virginia. Call Virginia
Professional Wildlife Removal Services today and let us address your predator control needs.

Damage and Damage Identification

Bobcats are opportunistic predators, feeding on poultry, sheep, goats, house cats, small dogs,
exotic birds and game animals, and, rarely, calves. Bobcats can easily kill domestic and wild
turkeys, usually by climbing into their night roosts. In some areas, bobcats can prevent the
successful introduction and establishment of wild turkeys or can deplete existing populations.

Bobcats leave a variety of sign. Bobcat tracks are about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in diameter and
resemble those of a large house cat. Their walking stride length between tracks is about 7 inches
(18 cm).

Carcasses of bobcat kills are often distinguishable from those of cougar, coyote, or fox. Bobcats
leave claw marks on the backs or shoulders of adult deer or antelope. On large carcasses, bobcats
usually open an area just behind the ribs and begin feeding on the viscera. Sometimes feeding
starts at the neck, shoulders, or hindquarters. Bobcats and cougar leave clean-cut edges of tissue
or bone while coyotes leave ragged edges where they feed.

Bobcats bite the skull, neck, or throat of small prey like lambs, kids, or fawns, and leave claw marks
on their sides, back, and shoulders. A single bite to the throat, just behind the victim�s jaws, leaves
canine teeth marks 3/4 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) apart.

Carcasses that are rabbit-size or smaller may be entirely consumed at one feeding. Bobcats may
return several times to feed on large carcasses.

Bobcats, like cougars, often attempt to cover unconsumed remains of kills by scratching leaves,
dirt, or snow over them. Bobcats reach out about 15 inches (38 cm) in raking up debris to cover
their kills, while cougars may reach out 24 inches (61 cm).

Bobcats also leave signs at den sites. Young kittens attempt to cover their feces at their dens.
Females with young kittens may mark prominent points around den sites with their feces. Adult
bobcats leave conspicuous feces along frequently traveled rocky ridges or other trails. These are
sometimes used as territorial markings at boundaries.

Adult bobcats also mark trails or cave entrances with urine. This is sprayed on rocks, bushes, or
snow banks. Bobcats may leave claw marks at urine or feces scent posts by scraping with their
hind feet. These marks are 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) long by 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide.

Bobcats also occasionally squirt a pasty substance from their anal glands to mark areas. The color
of this substance is white to light yellow in young bobcats but is darker in older bobcats. (Source:
Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage � 1994)