Bobcats "aren't supposed" to be in the area, although anyone who has lived around here for the past 5-6 year has seen one, or known someone who has. Tracks have been everywhere in the snow the last month, and I finally got the owner on camera. This is my first pic (never seen one), but know a few guys who have caught them in traps around here. This coyote started showing up nearly every morning too for a few weeks.
The cat is protected in Illinois, however the coyote would definantly be getting an arrow flung it's way.
Bobcats are protected in Illinois? I didn't know this. If they are not supposed to be here, then how are they protected. I am really just curious about the laws on Bobcats. I have never seen one. I have some friends that think if an animal is not supposed to be native to Illinois, and is wild, that it can be shot as there is no season. They said how can you be prosecuted when the is no law saying certain animals can't be shot. I believe we were having a conversation about cougers, and they said you could shoot them anytime because technically they are "Not Here" according to the DNR. But I know there is supposed to be a pretty good amount of Bobcats around in various parts of IL so maybe that is why they are protected. archery20
I'm pretty sure it's illegal to shoot them in Illinois. Who says they're not supposed to be here? I see at least a couple every season. I've seen results from the bowhunter surveys, and they're definitely rising in population every year.
Nice pictures. Bobcats are protected by Illinois law. No open season on them at all. Historically, there were lots of bobcats in IL but they were extirpated from most of the state in the 1800's. Same with river otters. Both have been removed from the IL threatened list, bobcats in 1999 and river otters in 2004. River otter numbers are recovering to the point that a limited trapping season on them is likely in the not-so-distant future. They can be fish killing machines so they don't get a lot of love once the population gets thick. Bobcats populations are steadily growing too. I couldn't tell you when we might see a hunting/trapping season on them tho'. I know the turkey hunters blame them for a decline in turkey numbers. Badgers used to be on the threatened list but now they're off there and you can actually trap them. IL Furbearer info for the day.
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