Although I've never seen a panther in the canefields south of Lake Okeechobee there are MORE Bobcats there than anywhere I've ever been. I think it's because of the massive numbers of rats and marsh rabbits. Two years ago Jeff Dreasel M.MD. and I went hunting Kings and only found about 6 Kings [we didn't take any] but saw over a dozen Bobcats in the daytime and tracks and scat EVERYWHERE. Additionally we were hunting one of those BIG rock piles and heard a mewing sound. Jeff climbed on top while I walked around the rocks to look for it. Suddenly my blood froze as an ominous loud growling sound erupted not 4' from me. It was a female Bobcat with 3-4 kittens and she let us know she was not leaving. We did NOT have a camera so we slowly retreated as I'm sure I was almost close enough she was going to attack me in defense of her young. I must add that these cats seem NOT to have a great fear of people as Bobcats in the ENP do. Maybe it's because field workers are always around them. Whatever it was turned into a great experience for me as that's the ONLY time I've ever seen wild Bobcat Kittens. I walked away a happy man for more than one reason that day....GREAT PICS GUS
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Tom Crutchfield

www.tomcrutchfield.com

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