http://fox2now.com/2014/12/04/illinois-legislature-approves-bobcat-hunting/ This is all I've seen so far but looks like it passed.
Yea I've seen one in person couple years ago but have steadily been getting more trail cam pics of them. Be interesting to see what they charge for a tag.
I am not sure I could shoot a bobcat. I understand they kill fawns and turkeys etc... but I just don't think I could do it. I would probably be to caught up in just watching it and not get a shot anyway.
Honestly I'm not too sure if there's a whole lot out there besides maybe the southern part of the state. Think it'd be nice to get one but other than that I'm not real excited over then news it passed.
There are hunters around the Effingham/Shelby County area that say they see them all of the time. I'm in Madison Country and I've never seen one, nor captured any on trail cams. I have a neighbor that swears there are some around us, but I haven't seen them.
I have seen one in my lifetime, thought it was a coyote crouching through the weeds. Was able to find it for a few minutes. Morgan County a few years ago about 60 yds from where I am currently sitting. Haven't seen it since. South of I-70 is where the majority of the sustainable population is. It will be years if not decades longer before a huntable statewide population is achieved. This could hinder it a bit depending on how they issue permits. I have not read the bill yet. No interest on my part to waste time hunting them as of now, but wouldn't rule it out in the future. On a similar note cougars, wolves and black bear go on the IDNR list of regulated wildlife January 1st. Here's the bobcat I got on film
I'll be honest. I would kill one, because I think it would be cool for the mount. After that, I would have no reason unless they became extremely overpopulated.
