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A Wisconsin turkey hunt turned into something straight out of a predator documentary, and it’s all on camera.
A 19-year-old hunter was stalked and then attacked by a bobcat while sitting in the woods near Wisconsin Rapids, according to reporting from KARE 11.
The hunter, Carson Bender, was set up and listening for birds when something else caught his attention.
“It sounded like something was patting leaves behind me,” he said.
Instead of spinning around, he quietly hit record on his phone. Good call. Because what showed up wasn’t a turkey. It was a bobcat, locked in and watching him.
“I guess I didn’t realize how laser-focused it was,” Bender said. “And then it grabbed onto my arm.”
The video (now racking up millions of views) shows just how fast things escalated. One second it’s curiosity. The next, contact. Wildlife experts say encounters like this are extremely rare.
University of Wisconsin–Madison wildlife professor David Drake called it “not a normal, common encounter,” especially one caught on video.
Bobcats aren’t typically aggressive toward humans. They’re known as shy, elusive predators. But that doesn’t mean harmless.
“They probably wouldn’t kill you,” Drake said, “but they can tear you up.” In this case, Bender got lucky.
He walked away with minor injuries, just scratches on his shoulder, and later got checked out and prescribed antibiotics. And if you’re wondering… Yeah, he went back out. A few days later, he tagged a turkey. That part says a lot.
Because hunters understand something most people don’t. When you step into the woods, you’re not always at the top of the food chain. Most of the time, nothing happens. But every once in a while, something like this reminds you:
You’re not alone out there.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
