The most amazing story about the bail out occurred right here in Seeley Lake Montana this winter. Ranger Dustin was here all winter trapping and tagging lynx cats. The researchers then track the cats and can learn a lot about their behavior. Every two or three days Dustin would check his traps, tag the occupant of the trap, release the cat, then put in a fresh deer leg, from the daily road kills around here . He hoped to tag the many of the numerous population of cats in this area. I asked him a few weeks ago how the project was proceeding. “Fine” he said. “Well, how many cats did you trap this winter”? I wanted to know. “Only about 20 different cats” he replied. “But the traps were always full”. He then explained that the cats very quickly learned of the government bail out going on. They would wait for the traps to be loaded with the meat then go in and help themselves. Dang free food all winter long and no work. One cat did not share his trap all winter. He would be released, walk off about 40 feet and wait. The deer leg went in and as soon as ranger Dustin walked off the cat walked back in.
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Tags: government bail out, lynx, Seeley Lake Montana, wildlife stories
