Scent Station Survey on
Bobcat Visual Attractants
in Northern Michigan


Valerie R. Tuovila
School of Science and Natural Resources
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 USA


Abstract. Scent station surveys have been used by different agencies to study
population trends of certain species. This technique has been utilized by the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources to study the bobcat (Lynx rufus) in and around
Roscommon County, Michigan. Scent stations consist of pre-established plots of dug
and siffed earth, which provides a good tracking surface, and an attractant. This study
was designed to test four different visual attractants (turkey feather, cowbird wing,
and 2 bobcat silhouettes) in northern Michigan. Those that met with success would be
used in the parent project. Each scent station had an olfactory and visual attractant,
except the control, which did not have a visual. A synthetic disk, composed of fatty
acids, was used at the stations, except for one. A "mercaptan" disk, which had a more
cat-like smell, was used with one of the silhouettes. Ten lines of 5 groupings of scent
stations were activated between May 21-July 5 , 1996. Five replicates were run, and
the treatments were rotated so that a scent station did not receive the same treatment
twice. Animal visitations and bobcat behaviors were recorded for three to four nights
for each replicate. At least 3 days separated replicates, to reduce habituation.
Reference plots (sified areas along game trails) were used in this study to determine
bobcat "walk-bys." Fifteen bobcats visited the scent stations, while 11 walked by.
There was a behavioral difference exhibited towards the different attractants.

Selected References

Diefenbach, D.R., M.J. Conroy., R.J. Warren, W.E. Jarnes, L.A. Baker, and T. Hon.
1994. A test of the scent-station survey technique for bobcats. Journal of
Wildlife Management 58(l):lO-17.

Leyhausen, P. 1979. Cat Behavior. Garland Publ., Inc., New York, N.Y.

Earle, R.E. 1995. Furbearer research. Project number: W-127-R-13; Job
performance report. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.