by John S. (arizona)
Member since:
February 8, 2006

Arizona Bobcat Attack!

March 27, 2009 11:05 AM EDT
views: 219 | rating: 10/10 (23 votes) | comments: 87

Living here in Arizona, the "wild, wild, west" as it were, you never know what can happen when out for a relaxing time at the local watering hole.

I came across this video this morning and thought I would share it others. However it reminds me of an incident I had with Bobcats some years ago...

Once while out hunting for Coues Deer, a smallish variant of Whitetail we have here, I was surrounded by five of these wonderful Bobcats down near the town of Patagonia; a rugged area south of Tucson. I was following some Deer I saw go up and over a ridge through some heavy cover of "wait-a-minute" bushes. They are full of thorns like hooks that reach out and grab you to "wait a minute"... nasty things, that can scratch the heck out of you through your clothes, LOL. You have to move slow, and stick to the game trails through them, or you "will" pay the price.

Well I stopped for a breather along the game trail the Deer had taken going up the fairly steep slope, and from out of nowhere these five Bobcats came up from behind me, and slowly circled around me. They were gorgeous looking, with green eyes and black tufts on their ears, but a bit unnerving to say the least. Every time I would turn to look behind me, the others in front would move to close in... Yikes. Now it was getting serious as this happened several times while I was trying to watch my back! I finally got spooked enough to take a couple of quick hard and fast steps towards two of them and yelled out while doing so. They all ran off immediately! Whew...

Man, for a minute there I thought I was going to be lunch; really did. They weren't afraid of me at all until I did that crazy man act. Thinking back it must of been comical to see me flipping a rifle back and forth in quick succession over and over again trying to cover my rear end. I had to laugh at myself.

Fortunately for me, my hunting buddy watched the whole thing from below through his binoculars, as I was sure nobody would believe me if I told them. I figured later that they must have been stalking the same Deer, and that scent was over-riding any human scent I would be giving off. They must have smelled me as Deer! Normally, I'm sure they would want to avoid any humans, especially one with a gun.

Oh yeah, the video of an attacking Bobcat I mentioned...

Here you go folks below. Click on the link to see a Bobcat enter a bar and go after the patrons. Turns out the poor thing was rabid. The video also mentions where to watch out for rabid animals in Arizona if out hiking...

 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/03/26/harrington.az.rabid.bobcat.ktvk

Rabid bobcat loose in bar

1:37

"A rabid bobcat attacked three people inside an Arizona bar. KTVK's Kristine Harrington reports."



Hope you enjoyed the video and one of my fond memories being out in the wilds of Arizona. Take care,

John S. (arizona)

PS- By the way, take a peek at my group "Arizona Splendor" for some excellent photo essays and more that group members have posted! If you like Arizona, or The West, you'll like what you see. Thanks, and click on Arizona Splendor below in blue...

Arizona Splendor

 

 

Read more about Arizona Wildlife below-

http://www.azgfd.gov/i_e/wildlife_photo.shtml
link to this page
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Comments: 87

Denise W. Mar 27, 2009, 11:08am EDT

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com
Tim T. Mar 27, 2009, 11:24am EDT
Wow. How wild!!!! (no pun intended) 10. Tim
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 11:28am EDT
Thanks Denise and Tim! It is pretty "wild" in more ways than one, LOL.
April H. Mar 27, 2009, 11:29am EDT
Talk about your wild nightat the local bar!
Keri A. Mar 27, 2009, 11:32am EDT
WOW

Photobucket
Debby O. Mar 27, 2009, 11:38am EDT
Wow! Don't see that every day! Hii John! Enjoying the site!
☀ Aunt Shanny Mar 27, 2009, 11:39am EDT
Bobcats are beautiful, that's for sure.
☀ Aunt Shanny Mar 27, 2009, 11:39am EDT
How are you today, John?
Christine K. Mar 27, 2009, 11:43am EDT
Wow! How scary! They are gorgeous but quite dangerous!
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 11:48am EDT
April- that would be crazy wouldn't it. Ha! Though people did get hurt.

Keri- thanks, glad you like the post.

Debby- Hi! I'm glad you joined the Arizona group. I hope people stop by to see your wonderful essays there... ;-)

Shanny- they sure are. The ones I've seen are actually much prettier than the photo I dug up from the Game and Fish site here. Too bad I didn't have a camera with back then, though I doubt I would have used it, LOL.
I'm doing pretty good by the way. Hanging in there... Thanks for asking.
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 11:49am EDT
Christine- Thanks so much for stopping by. I bet some in the bar were scared... ;-)
Rae M. Mar 27, 2009, 12:02pm EDT
That must have been terifying, good thing you were able to scare them off.
Gul Dixon Mar 27, 2009, 12:23pm EDT
I love this beautiful animal. But of course they never thought of ME as lunch! Still, they are very attractive animals. Well, I'm glad you're still around to tell the story.
C.L. R. Mar 27, 2009, 12:27pm EDT
Amazing experience. Thanks for sharing.
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 12:55pm EDT
Rae- it was a bit spooky in my case, and I bet pretty unusual. I've never heard of that happening to anybody else. Thanks.

Gul- they are gorgeous in real life close up. I remember the eyes and ears so well, ha ha. As I mentioned above, the ones I've seen are prettier than the picture.

CLR- thanks for stopping by. I think mine was better than the bar experience, LOL.
steve the legend Mar 27, 2009, 1:07pm EDT
I saw this on the news this morning...pretty wild (pun intended)
And I loved your story...so glad you lived to tell the tale
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 1:43pm EDT
Steve- thanks man, I'm glad I lived too... ;-)
Heidi S. Mar 27, 2009, 1:45pm EDT
I saw this on the news, too. You never told me that story! Wow! When I lived in the mountain-y part of Woodland Hills in Calif there was a bobcat that would come onto my back patio - just the french doors between us. He was beautiful.
Wow! What luck you knew how to make them think you were rabid!! j/k, glad it turned out alright. They are beautiful little creatures, I kinda feel sorry for the bad rap they have.
Lori Cee (rest in peace, jJack.) Mar 27, 2009, 1:54pm EDT
i saw that vid on the news yesterday. Y the heck did they even bother it? i would have left out and just waited for him to come out on his own. he took a couple of good bites from one of the guys. maybe next time they'll just sit a bit of beer on the floor and see if the cat goes for it.
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 2:24pm EDT
Heidi- I have a ton of weird stories about wild critters. You have to come camping with us to hear them... LOL. That's about how close I was, just a few feet from them. Thanks.

Katie- thanks. They are pretty, and I am rabid, ha ha.

lori- what? Did everybody already see this on the news, ha ha. How do you find time for the news with all the time you spend on here.... ;-) I don't watch much TV, must be why I hadn't heard about it. They probably thought it was a puddy cat... it is, it is... *bite*
connie h. Mar 27, 2009, 3:40pm EDT
wow
Charles Temm JR Mar 27, 2009, 3:49pm EDT
The screams they make can have every hair on your body stand up...and that's without seeing them!
John S. (arizona) Mar 27, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
Connie- thanks for stopping by...

Charles- I'm not sure if I have ever heard a bobcat or not actually...? Thanks for commenting.
Marilyn M. Mar 28, 2009, 1:19am EDT
Thanks for sharing your story and that of the one at the bar. I enjoyed them both and am glad you survived your run-in with the wild cats!
John S. (arizona) Mar 28, 2009, 6:59am EDT
Marilyn- happy you enjoyed both stories. I'm happy I survived too, LOL. One thing for sure, I wasn't going down without a fight.... ;-) Thanks.
Renita P. Mar 28, 2009, 10:14am EDT
Wow. that must have been very scary at the time. Glad they ran off so easily!
John S. (arizona) Mar 28, 2009, 11:46am EDT
Renita- they did scatter pretty fast when I made an aggressive move towards them. I'm glad they weren't rabid like the one in the video, or it may have made no difference? Thanks.
Chuck M. Mar 28, 2009, 11:52am EDT
I saw that on the news. Those bobcats will tear you apart that's for sure. Good thing the ones you ran across were frightened.
Cortney R. Mar 28, 2009, 1:09pm EDT
They are pretty animals, but if one got near me I would be pretty scared.
Jeanna S. Mar 28, 2009, 9:15pm EDT
Hey, thanks John! I have nephew who lives in the Flagstaff area and he hikes there all the time! I'm sending him the link now!!
Toni V. Mar 28, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
Wow, that's pretty scary. Poor cat too. I remember you telling me about you being surrounded by them at one time.
John S. (arizona) Mar 28, 2009, 11:57pm EDT
Chuck- thanks for stopping by. They sure weren't frightened at first, LOL.

Cortney- thanks- They are indeed beautiful animals... ;-)

Jeanna- glad you enjoyed the story and the link. Take care.

Toni- hey thanks for the comment. Glad you liked the news link, and hearing my story... again, LOL. Take care.
Sassy ... the calm and cool Cat Mar 29, 2009, 12:00am EDT
What an awesome story!! That's the best thing I've read on Gather all day, and I've been here for hours.
John S. (arizona) Mar 29, 2009, 10:19am EDT
Sassy- hey thanks, I appreciate your comment. The video jogged my mind and gave me a spurt of initiative there... ;-)
Take care.
Tanya P. Mar 29, 2009, 7:04pm EDT
"Yikes" is a bit of an understatement there. Human became prey. I think your explanation/guess as to why they became confused is probably right on. I'll have to come back and try the video later, as it isn't playing for me right now. --- Love your "wait-a-minute" bushes. I have had personal experience with them, myself.
Debra H. Mar 29, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
Thats amazing Bob, we helped out at an exotic animal rescue a few years ago and they had a bob cat kitten that had been injured but was very gentle, its hard to believe they grow into such powerful animals.
John S. (arizona) Mar 30, 2009, 9:45am EDT
Tanya- just checked the video and it worked for me still. It is kind of funny actually, like a mouse on the loose with people jumping up on pool tables and chairs etc. I probably would have done the same in that circumstance, LOL. I think the scent reason is good too, there were 4 or 5 deer I was following in a small herd. Thanks for stopping by.

Debra- thanks for commenting. I think they are pretty strong in a smaller package. Anything rabid like in the video would be a handful anyway. Thanks again.
DIANE D. Mar 30, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
This is scary, we had a few here in Iowa last year. Very odd.
Morgan W. Mar 30, 2009, 2:07pm EDT
Very cool story!! yep, you gotta be meaner than they are - I'll bet you were quite a sight to watch!! :-)
John S. (arizona) Mar 30, 2009, 4:06pm EDT
Thanks Diane and Morgan! I bet I was... my buddy Cosmo thought so. Take care.
kathleen w. Mar 31, 2009, 12:16pm EDT
wow scary, i lived in tucson for a year and its like a whole other world in the desert....saw a tarantula the size of my hand out side.....and I said on the bus....oh feel bad for that mangy looking stray dogl.....every body lauged at me...it was a coyote!
John S. (arizona) Mar 31, 2009, 1:04pm EDT
kathleen- hey thanks. I bet that was funny... Take care now.
Wow! Fantastic story. I have to say, I haven't had any run ins with any bobcats. Thanks for the great story and video. I'll have to go over to the Arizona group and have a look around.
John S. (arizona) Apr 1, 2009, 10:50am EDT
Renda- thanks so much. I can still picture the whole event so clearly in my mind. They were gorgeous! So is the country down that way too, very rugged, hard traveling, but pretty.
Thanks again...
Linda M. Apr 3, 2009, 12:12am EDT
That must have been awesome, seeing the bobcats up so close. Glad to hear you didn't become lunch. I have a little tiger cat that is sure getting strong....
Karen R. Apr 3, 2009, 4:42am EDT
Wow, that would be scary being surrounded like that. Anytime I have been out in the dessert I have been close enough to see my car, so I have not encountered much serious wildlife.
John S. (arizona) Apr 3, 2009, 7:09am EDT
Linda- Thanks, it was something else. Be careful of that kitty, you might be lunch yourself, LOL.

Karen- It was an experience. We were camping out there, and probably about a half mile from camp. Nowhere to run that day.... Thanks for commenting.
Digital Diva S. Apr 3, 2009, 11:41am EDT
That's pretty scary.
Kat W. Apr 5, 2009, 3:43pm EDT
Stuff happens!! Wildlife is getting the short end of the stick with development and we would possibly hear of more incidents like this.
John S. (arizona) Apr 5, 2009, 3:55pm EDT
Thanks for commenting gals!
Carol P. Apr 6, 2009, 10:21am EDT
Wow, that is scary. I have never been to Arizona, but if I do go, I will be on the lookout.
John S. (arizona) Apr 6, 2009, 12:39pm EDT
Carol- thanks for stopping by. I think this all quite rare, but whenever out in the wild one should be vigilant as to what can happen. Take care.... ;-)
Lori C. Apr 6, 2009, 1:03pm EDT
Wild night out!!!
Steven Glenn Apr 6, 2009, 10:06pm EDT
!!
John S. (arizona) Apr 7, 2009, 9:09am EDT
Lori- yep, I'd say that was pretty wild, ha! Thanks.

Steven- Thanks.... I think, LOL.
LeeAnn D. Apr 8, 2009, 9:23am EDT
I know it's easy for me to say behind this computer, but I would have enjoyed that experience of being stalked. It would have still been spooky, but exciting none the less. It's not every day one encounters or even see's a Bobcat in the wild. They are so elusive. As long as you keep an eye on them and there where-abouts, I think you'd have been just fine. Once they catch the human scent they would have taken off. Besides, you had a gun. One shot in the air would have scared them off.

The Bobcat in the bar is kinda freaky though. I feel for the people who had to go through rabies shots. THose aren't fun.
John S. (arizona) Apr 8, 2009, 10:06am EDT
LeeAnn- I feel the same way about all encounters I have had with wildlife, and as long as I survive they are great! LOL. The experience is one I will never forget... among a few others I could tell.
Yeah, now that bar situation is a little different. That was a sick rabid animal... poor thing, as well as those that got hurt, it is sad really.
Thanks.
Lisa M. Apr 8, 2009, 6:18pm EDT
Scary!
Stacey (Jesus is coming soon! ) U. Apr 9, 2009, 1:39pm EDT
Yikes !
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Apr 10, 2009, 12:30am EDT
Well, I think you're 'dear' ...does that count?

Great story Bob! ...I'm glad that you made it through unscathed. I had a similar incident occur, but it involved baby raccoons. They aren't quite as menacing as Bobcats...
Ruth Luce Apr 10, 2009, 4:59am EDT
You gots to 'puff up' too, they hate that!! =~>
Ruth Luce Apr 10, 2009, 5:04am EDT
Quite the gorgeous animal for sure, definitely one to respect. (though Smokey thinks he could take 'em, lol, not!) So many folks don't take the time to consider this land we're in, what it contains and who was here first! They need their space and we so got to respect that or anything can happen. The 'wildest' things to happen to me so far in Arizona was thinking about a bit of a picnic in Tonto, going to the site, very nice area and good tables about to set up when the Javelina family showed!! 3 most large adults and two of the cutest young 'uns I ever saw. And me without my Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, all I could do was grab the stuff, head to the car to put it all back save my camera. I let them have the site but not before taking a dozen pcis, used the zoom of course!! Same day that I had been hiking there and saw a rattler on my path, decided that was end of trail marker too..
John S. (arizona) Apr 10, 2009, 8:03am EDT
Thanks everybody! I appreciate you all stopping by.
Ruth- some day I'll tell you about my nap and being invaded by Javelina... ha! As I said earlier, I have had a few interesting encounters... ;-)
Take care.
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Apr 10, 2009, 9:02am EDT
Well, I haven't watched the video because I'm at work. But your story was great. Thankfully you didn't become their snack! Too bad you didn't get photos though or a video, that would have made a great one for amazing home videos or maybe even stupid human tricks, lol. ;-)
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Apr 10, 2009, 9:03am EDT
LOL Kevin, big bad baby raccoons?
John S. (arizona) Apr 10, 2009, 9:07am EDT
Moggy- hey thanks. I didn't have a small camera at the time, and doubt I would have thought of using it anyway at that moment, LOL. Pictures were the last thing on my mind... ;-)
Take care.
David Salyer Apr 10, 2009, 10:10am EDT
I have only seen one Bobcat. They are beautiful animals. I am not sure if I would want five of them surrounding me though!
John S. (arizona) Apr 10, 2009, 12:30pm EDT
David- thanks. I'm glad I had the experience myself, perhaps a once in a life time event! Take care.
Mariana T. Apr 12, 2009, 12:18pm EDT
hi John, I'll watch it soon - well, poor wildlife has been encroached upon by humans - what are they supposed to do? We need to respect all wildlife. They need help. Salud
Deb A. Apr 18, 2009, 10:06am EDT
Whoa! I always thought of a bobcat as solitary hunters. I once was chased into a hay wrack by a rabid fox. Scary.
John S. (arizona) Apr 18, 2009, 10:24am EDT
Mariana- yes, human encroachment is a huge problem... with few answers given. Thanks for stopping by.

Deb- me too, until then. I always figured it as a family in my case, but not sure about all their behavior in the wild. I would be scared of a rabid fox too, in fact... rabid anything, lol.
Thanks.
Amy H. Apr 20, 2009, 4:41pm EDT
A very pretty cat!
sandy sandy Apr 20, 2009, 9:04pm EDT
Beautiful amazing creatures for sure.
Wendy M. Apr 21, 2009, 10:16am EDT
Wow, thanks for sharing. That must have been terrifying!
John S. (arizona) Apr 21, 2009, 11:24am EDT
Thanks all! I think I was too busy in my situation to think much about being scared until after perhaps a little bit. The whole thing was as fascinating as it was scary. Now in the bar there... that would be scary, LOL. Thanks again everybody.
debra g. May 1, 2009, 5:44pm EDT
They are beautiful cats and they will climb a tree that a deer hunter is sitting in.How well I know this,it was the first and last time I would ever go into the woods to hunt deer with Charles.
John S. (arizona) May 2, 2009, 7:59am EDT
debra- OK, you have to tell me more, LOL. You have my interest up.... ;-)
I was attacked by a huge Owl once in a treestand at sundown. I don't know who was more scared... me or the Owl! I could swear it was the size of a 747 jumbo jet, ha ha.
Thanks.
JUDY M. May 3, 2009, 10:57am EDT
beautiful thanks so much for sharing
Gary (aka: William Pinn) J. May 6, 2009, 3:09pm EDT
I had no idea bobcats hunted deer and people mistaken for deer. Learn somefin new every day. That story was a gud'n.
John S. (arizona) May 6, 2009, 3:16pm EDT
Thanks Judy!

Thanks Gary, it was educational, ha ha. Take care.
Selene N. May 7, 2009, 2:54am EDT
They look very pretty though.
John S. (arizona) May 7, 2009, 7:48am EDT
The ones I saw that day were prettier than in this picture Selene. They are nice looking animals though, that is for sure. Thanks.
Pamela O. May 19, 2009, 9:23am EDT
Wow, what a story! I am so glad you are ok! It must have been an awesome sight :-)
Kelly Kay May 19, 2009, 9:27am EDT
During your story I was hoping you weren't going to hurt any of the bobcats. They are so incredibly beautiful and intelligent animals. Glad the story ended well. =)
John S. (arizona) May 19, 2009, 10:24am EDT
Pamela- it was awesome! Something I'll never forget, that's for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by, and glad you enjoyed the article.

Kelly- that would have been a last resort, that's why I tried to scare them off first. Thanks for commenting!
The original comment in this thread has been deleted by its author.
John S. (arizona) Jul 27, 2009, 8:35am EDT
Thanks Don, glad you enjoyed it. They are beautiful animals.

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