When hunting in Georgia, hunters and typical outdoorsman enjoy a wide variety of small and large
wild game offered by the hunting lands of our great state. From deer, turkey, doves, quail and even
alligators, the wild game on the bucket list of an avid hunter holds great potential for being checked
off considering the wide range of hunting opportunity offered in the pine tree-filled wooded areas.
Hunting, or harvesting, is an outdoor sport enjoyed by men, women, boys and girls, and is often
considered as “quality time together in the woods”, especially around these parts.
Recently, one lucky girl and one lucky boy marked a bucket list item off their list of coveted wild
game, with the assistance of an adult – of course!
Meet Blaise Oliver and (NAME), bobcat harvesters and local youth of Emanuel County. Just
recently, these two outdoor lovers bagged their first bobcat. Photos shared of Oliver and (NAME)
after their recent harvests were pretty exciting to see and enticing to the eyes of many locals, just as
their hunter’s tales that The Blade is ecstatic to share with our readers!
Blaise Oliver is the 13-year-old daughter of Tiffany and Timmy Oliver. A newbie in the field of
“trapping,” this young girl has thoroughly enjoyed learning the ropes alongside her “deddy” and
credits the time spent together while setting traps as her most favorite part. The two embarked upon
this new hobby together when attending a Youth Georgia Trapping Association event hosted this
year.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to learn to trap and enjoy the great outdoors,” Blaise’s mother
commented.
Although Blaise is no hunter, she thoroughly enjoys setting traps to ensure the safety of her beloved
farm animals from nuisance wild animals. So far, Blaise has struck luck in her mission to protect
when setting traps on the edge of a farm field where critter signs were previously spotted. Her most
recent catch was a bobcat but her first catch fell on her birthday, (BIRTHDAY), when she found a
coyote in her trap. Check out what Blaise has to say about her recent outdoor adventures:
Q: What do you enjoy most about trapping?
A: The thrill of going to check the traps to see if I was able to outsmart the critters and catch any.
Q: Recently, you trapped your first bobcat. How did you and your dad set the trap for this?
A: We caught the bobcat on a Duke’s 550 dirt hole trap using fox urine, chicken and guinea feathers,
Capital Punishment Bait and Rat Lure.
Q: Prior to the bobcat, you trapped a coyote on your birthday, right? Did you intend to trap a specific animal either time? Also, what bait was used to trap the coyote?
A: We were targeting coyotes where their tracks were spotted. We used guinea feathers, Capital
Punishment Bait and Gator Oil Lure.
Q: Do you hunt or set traps often?
A: I don’t hunt but I really enjoys trapping.
Q: How did it make you feel when you realized that you trapped a coyote and bobcat?
A: I was ecstatic when I caught them and shaking with adrenaline.
Q: How big were the trapped animals?
A: The animals were normal sized for around these parts.
Q: Are you going to have them preserved?
A: The coyote was taken to a coyote reserve. The bobcat is being preserved and is going to be
displayed in my room.
Q: What animal is next on your bucket list for trapping wild game?
A: I’m hoping to get a red fox and a gray fox next.
Q: Do you have any advice for others interested in trapping animals:
A: There are three main things to always remember: scent control, trap bedding (making sure the
trap doesn’t rock) and removing any signs you were there.
Young Weston (NAME) is the typical young outdoorsman. He is the AGE-year-old son of (NAMES)
and is very fond of hunting – especially with his “Pa”. His favorite game to harvest is deer, but when
deer season recently went out, Weston and his pa started pondering on new hunting opportunity to
enjoy quality time together in the outdoors. Check out what this young wild game slayer has to say
about hunting and his first trapped bobcat:
Q: Do you hunt often?
A: Yes. I hunted a lot during deer season but now it’s over so me and my Pa started talking about it.
But when deer season comes back, I’m gonna do that too.
Q: How did you kill the bobcat?
A: I shot a .22 at it and it died.
Q: Did it take a lot of quiet time with observation and patience or did you set up a trap?
A: We set a trap but I had to be patient for the bobcat to get in the trap.
Q: How did it make you feel when you realized you got the bobcat?
A: I was happy and filled with joy
Q: How big was the bobcat?
A: Not that big. He was a little big. He was like medium.
Q: Are you going to keep it and get it preserved?
A: No. It’s too money to get it mounted but we’re going to make something out of the fur.
Q: Do you think you’re going to go hunting again for more bobcats or are you hoping to catch larger
game?
A: I want to catch a grey coyote next time.
Q: What was the best part of this entire experience?
A: The best part was finally catching something and spending time with my Pa and him helping me.
Q: Do you have any advice for other hunters who may not be as skilled as you are when it comes to
trapping scary animals?
A: You got to do the right thing and the right trap. I don’t really have a lot of advices.
