Wisconsin turkey hunter Carson Bender got more than a gobbler response during a recent spring hunt. Bender, 19, was set up on private land near Nekoosa, Wisc., when he heard movement behind him while turkeys worked toward his setup. Rather than turn around and risk spooking the birds, he used his phone camera to check behind him.
The video shows a bobcat staring at him from close range. The cat then inches forward before lunging and grabbing Bender’s arm. Bender shook the animal off, and it ran away.
Bender reported only minor scratches and later went to a doctor.
Turkey Calls Can Draw In More Than Just Turkeys
Bobcats occasionally investigate turkey calls, since the sound can signal a potential meal. Physical contact with a hunter remains rare, but the clip shows why spring turkey setups can attract more than longbeards.
The incident happened during Wisconsin’s 2026 spring turkey season, which opened April 15 and runs through May 26. The state divides the season into six 7-day hunting periods.
Bender Kept Hunting
After the bobcat ran off, Bender still took a shot at a turkey shortly afterward. He missed.
He later posted that he had found out he was “good at calling cats and turkeys,” and said he missed a bird minutes after the encounter before heading to the doctor.
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