The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-07-23
Captures Young
Bobcot While
Driving to Libby

A little, splitting, fighting ball of
fury greeted the hand of Jess Hay
worth Saturday on the road from
Warland, when he attempted to
capture young bcbcat from its hid
ing place in crevice of rocks.
HayWorths had noticed the small
animal in the center of the road.
which resembled a pup in size and
kitten in looks, SO stepped the
truck to investigate. Immediately
the little bobcat made for the near
est shelter, which unluckily for him
happened to be a shallow hole in
some rocks at the side of the road.
At first, Mr. HayWorth tried to
catch the vicious kitten by pulling
him out by the ears, but after one
or two attempts in which he nearly
lost some skin, decided it would be
wiser to lasso the young cat. He
finally succeeded In getting the
rope around its neck, and tied the
ferocious little beast in the back of
the truck, and brought it into town
with them.
The scared kitten, crouched at
bay in the rear of the truck like a
miniature lion, created quite q SEN
sation arnnng the youngsters who
gathered around to see him. No one
dared come too close however, as
he would strike out with paw,
which although appearing velvet
footed on top, disclosed ugly, tear
ing claws beneath Although the
bobcat seemed to be in terror of all
his civilized surroundings, he did
consent to gnaW hungarily on some
choice bits of raw meat which were
thrown to him.
Mrs. HayWorth said that she
imagined the kitten to be about
three months old, although she
wasn't sure. The small tufts of
hair that grow on the tips of
bobcats ears were just beginning
to appear, SO this and the fact that
its fur was still an indefinite gray
ish brown color showed that the
kitten was just a few months old.
HayWorths were undecided as to
lust what to do with it, whether to
keep the kitten as pet or turn it
loose again They said that they
captured it just to get closer look
at a real wild cat and to "see If it
could be done"
The regular Northwestern Amer
lean bobcat is one of the smaller
species of the wild cat family. It
somewhat resembles the Canadian
lynx, only that it is smaller and
thick set with longer ears and has
ears which are tufted. It's fur is
soft and full, and the pelts of many
wildcats have a ready sale among
furriers.
Compared with the domestic cat,
1t stands somewhat higher and has
a coarser and rougher head which
adds to its fierce appearance. The
babcat feeds on mice, squirrels.
rabbits and grouse. 1t will also eat
domestic fowl if it has a chance.
Lying in wait for its prey, if the
cat hears the faintest movement in
the underbrush, it instantly crouch
es with all four feet beneath it and
remains perfectly motionless watch
ing and listening, intent to learn
whether it is an enemy to be avoid
ed or game for its dinner. When
out hunting, the bobcat utters a
wild scream which resembles hui
man voice crying in agony. It's OBJ
ject evidently it to startle any crea-
ture that may be hiding near by to
betray its presence. Any animal
would require strong nerves to re-
main unmoved when this Earring
yell bursts through the stiffness.
The bobcat sleeps in its cave or
hollow log during the day, and
goes out hunting in the early morn
ing and evening twilight. Their own
nests are well-lined with moss and
are found In hollow trees and logs