Wisconsin Teen Mauled by Bobcat During Turkey Hunt, Captures the Attack on Video [WATCH]

A 19-year-old Wisconsin hunter was injured during a rare wildlife encounter when a bobcat attacked him while he was turkey hunting near Nekoosa, roughly 100 miles north of Madison, as reported by The New York Post.

Carson Bender said he was positioned at the base of a tree on private land when the incident unfolded. According to Bender, he became aware of the animal after turning around and spotting the bobcat approaching him.

The encounter, partially captured on video and later shared on his Instagram page, shows the animal moving closer as Bender records the moment on his phone.

“I pan over with the phone, and the bobcat is just staring at me,” Bender told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

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“I was like, uh-oh.”

The footage shows the bobcat watching Bender for several seconds before suddenly lunging at him. The animal grabbed his arm during the attack before the video cuts off.

Bender said that he was able to shake the bobcat off shortly after it made contact, and the animal then decided to run away from the area.

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“Found out I’m good at calling cats and turkeys!” Bender wrote in a caption accompanying the video on Instagram.

Despite the sudden nature of the attack, Bender said he remained focused during the encounter and continued his hunt.

“It might sound dumb, but I wanted to kill that turkey that was strutting in,” Bender told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “It was a lot of action in just a minute or so, but I never really felt threatened and went with my instincts.”

After receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attack, Bender returned to the same hunting location the following morning.

Wildlife experts say bobcats may occasionally respond to turkey calls, as the sounds can attract predators investigating potential prey. However, direct attacks on humans are considered uncommon.

According to data compiled by Big Cat Rescue, bobcats have been responsible for 26 human deaths in the United States since 1990, including 21 adults and five children. The organization also reports that 275 maulings had been recorded nationwide as of 2025.

Officials have not reported any additional incidents connected to the encounter near Nekoosa.

The video of the attack has circulated online, drawing attention to the unusual nature of the encounter between a hunter and a wild predator.

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