Equipped with large eyes, bobcats are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active and hunt during the day. According to Scott Johnson, a non-wild mammal biologist at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), “An analysis of more than 100 robin stomachs showed that their diet consists primarily of mammals, including rabbits, mice, voles, and squirrels. We found the remains of several bird species, but only in a small percentage of the bobcat mice studied. Johnson also noted that bobcats, like many predators, are opportunistic and plunder deer carcasses during the fall-winter months. Bobcats have a short, pointed tail of black and large white spots behind each ear. The traces of bobcats are also larger than those of domestic cats. Badgers and bobcats are protected species. It is illegal to take these fur traders to Indiana. If you accidentally catch a badger or bobcat, report the incident to an Indiana conservation officer (see DNR Law Enforcement). There is no penalty for reporting incidental catches. If the animal is dead, the carcass must be given to an Indiana preservative.

The information provided by hunters and trappers is an important way to determine the status and distribution of these species in Indiana. “The Sierra Club is not against hunting,” Bowden Quinn said. “But we`re concerned about endangered wildlife, so we`d like to get a more complete picture of the numbers because I don`t think anyone wants to see bobcats return to threatened status.” Although Bobcat reports are more common in the southern part of the state, confirmed reports have been received from the mid-west and northern regions. The current distribution of bobcats, coupled with forest areas and river system corridors, provides good opportunities for bobcats to disperse to other parts of the state. “Especially in the early years,” Engelking said, “to see which counties really have a lot of bobcats and to find out how many guys are trying to hunt and catch them.” It was a similar process that legalized captive deer hunting in 2016 after a decades-long controversy debate and lawsuit. The DNR wanted captured or “highly fenced” hunting facilities across the state to be closed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as chronic debilitating diseases. The sale of legally harvested furbearing mammals or untanned skins of furbearing mammals may only be made to authorized fur purchasers. Bobcats are considered a protected species in Indiana. However, the Department of Natural Resources says recent research and trends in bobcat numbers reported to the IDNR (trail camera photos, sightings, street murders and other deaths) suggest that the bobcat population is on the rise.

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, more than 60 bobcat deaths were reported each year. Much of it was located in the southern third of the state, where hills, mixed forests and reclaimed mines provide ideal habitat. Continuous burning light that can be seen for at least 500 feet must be carried while furry animals are followed between sunset and sunrise. It`s illegal: IDNR continues to collect information about bobcats and asks for help in documenting mortality and sightings. Any confirmed sightings of bobcats, including trail cameras, observed street murders, or reports of a randomly captured animal, are very helpful to the IDNR. These observations can be reported by contacting the NRDI at (317) 232-4200 or on dfw@dnr.in.gov. It`s also possible that bobcat furs and carcasses could be illegally traded in other states where current fur prices are charged, according to the Division of Fish and Wildlife report. Several surrounding states – such as Michigan and Kentucky – have hunting and fishing seasons. The proposed change would establish a season with a pocket limit per person, as well as a national quota for the number of Bobcats that could be taken. The season would also only be open in a limited number of counties, according to the proposed regular language. Conservation concerns: Children shooting with bows and arrows in schools could help reverse the decline in the number of real New hunters that are brought to you by real hoosiers. Support our local journalists.

The dog racing season for raccoons and opossums runs from February 1 to October 25. A person needs a valid hunting license from Indiana to hunt wild animals with dogs. See License Exceptions under License Information. It is legal to hunt and hunt foxes (October 15 to February 28), raccoons (November 8 to January 31) and coyotes (October 15 to March 15) with dogs during the established hunting season. Teenagers under the age of 13 who do not have a bow, crossbow or firearm and who are accompanied by a valid person who has a licence of at least 18 years of age are exempt from the need for a hunting licence when hunting a wild animal during the dog racing season. Properties managed by DNR have certain limitations. It is legal to hunt foxes and coyotes with dogs all year round with a hunting license and permission from the landowner. The agency cites that random killings of bobcats have increased, with more than 60 deaths reported each year since 2010, and population growth has been particularly strong in the southern part of the state. A study conducted by the IDNR in south-central Indiana found that bobcats are able to distribute distances of more than 50 to 100 miles. This ability to travel long distances allows them to repopulate available habitat.

It also brings them closer to the roads. Vehicle collisions are now a common cause of death among bobcats. “Once all the input and feedback is collected and compiled after the comments section opens, it will help determine if there are enough of these Bobcats and if there should be a season,” Engelking said. “DNR is the one who is responsible, so if they think it`s good, then I`ll agree with that.” A document published by the agency with background information and a justification for the proposals indicates that more and more bobcats are being accidentally killed when hit by cars or caught in legal traps for other animals such as coyotes or raccoons. Indiana was home to bobcats in the past, but unregulated adoption and habitat loss led to a decline in their numbers until the mid-1900s. These low population rates placed them on the state`s endangered species list in 1969, where they remained until 2005. Dave Engelking, who lives and hunts in Brown County, said he had several on trail cameras at the back of his home and on his land. He added that he also observed three teenagers playing together two years ago as they hunted a blind man. Typically, bobcats weigh between 15 and 35 pounds, are about 2 feet tall, and have a total body length of 3 feet.

The physical stature and size of a bobcat cannot accurately determine its sex, but females and adolescents are usually smaller than mature males. The size of each individual varies. A once-endangered species in Indiana could now find itself at the other end of guns or hunting traps. The state Department of Natural Resources is proposing to create a hunting and harvesting season for bobcats, Indiana`s only native wildcat. Landowners or resident tenants may use legal methods without permission to take a beaver, mink, muskrat, long-tailed weasel, red fox, grey fox, opossum, skunk, grey squirrel, fox squirrel or raccoon that is on their own property and damages property or poses a threat to health or safety. It is legal to hunt foxes and coyotes with mouth or hand calls or with recorded calls. Lighthouses can be used to catch foxes and coyotes.