Eagle outdoors columnist Jay E. Hewitt and his hunting companion, Beaver Boy, pictured above, were successful in trapping this bobcat earlier this month.

Part two of twoWith our gear packed, we headed out in the early evening darkness for our bobcat hunt in Cameron County.We would travel to the Pennsylvania Wilds, a region of 2 million acres of mountainous terrain with some of the most beautiful, undisturbed wilderness the state has to offer.We headed up the 127-mile Elk Scenic Drive to an area between Benezette and Emporium. The weather wasn't what I expected, as we had held off our trip until after December in hopes that we would have some snow to aid us in our efforts to locate the cats.The balmy temperatures and threatening rain showers did not bode well for our plans.We met our guide, Jeff Colwell from Hicks Run Outfitters, at a prearranged place and we began to outline the hunt in earnest.He was optimistic about our chances because of the numerous bobcat signs he had been finding and because he had just helped a couple of men from Allegheny County bring a large male bobcat into camp.Jeff and his wife Janet reviewed the techniques that they thought would work best for us, and we discussed hunting ethics.Jeff assured us that the population was very healthy and that we would seek solitary males. Since the female cats are smaller and the younger bobcats were not the quarries we sought either, we all agreed they would get a pass — even if it meant going home empty-handed.We tossed and turned that night as we anticipated the next morning's hunt. I awoke in the middle of the night to the sounds of rain and a soggy start to our first day.At first light, we gathered at the big mess hall table, where breakfast was waiting for us. If I had known how demanding the hiking would be up the mountain trails, I might have settled for a granola bar and some water.We loaded our gear into the guide's truck and headed farther into the forestlands.As we unloaded, Beaver Boy looked at me and pointed at the trail that just kept going and going straight up!To say it was a good workout would be an understatement, as I wondered about the folly of this adventure. We wound our way through the rocky hillsides and the mountain laurel patches, and Jeff pointed out rattlesnake den areas that I didn't want to visit at any time of the year.We soon found ourselves on a plateau of sorts and Beaver Boy began making trap line sets in earnest. The area is heavily populated with bobcats, bears and coyotes. This has affected the deer population, and we saw few signs of them.We left the area optimistic about our chances, but the rain ended our hunt.The second day found our muscles sore, but we were in good spirits. Earlier, we had come upon a herd of 45 elk in an open area, and we were able to observe them undetected for a lengthy period.The bobcats also were on the move, as we had several hits on the attractor scents and lure we had set out. It amazed me how stealthy a 35-pound wildcat can be in avoiding detection.After three sets were disturbed by the bobcats without catching them, I decided to sit on a wildlife trail in the evening twilight and try to locate an active cat, but it was to no avail.Our final day found us pulling the trap line and wondering if our luck would ever change as we climbed the third and last mountain trail.I was walking a little ahead of the other two men when I saw birds flushing out of a thicket and movement. I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw the first living sign of a bobcat.I hurried back down the trail and gathered up my companions to give them the news and hurry them along.It was a large male and it had been taken on one of the sets Beaver Boy had prepared. He was one of about 200 bobcats taken annually in this special permit lottery and will be a huge part of our memories of our odyssey.