Bobcat Trapping a Success in IDNR's Books

Hearing the latest trapping numbers for bobcats probably took on a whole new meaning for IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal. If you recall Director Rosenthal used to be a member of the House of Representatives and introduced as Chief Sponsor in the 98th GA a bobcat hunting bill. As one of Governor Pat Quinn's last acts, he vetoed this bill. Reintroduced in the 99th GA, a new bill was proposed, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by Governor Rauner. This went into effect January 2016. With trappers and protesters alike, over 6,400 people applied for the 500 permits to trap bobcats. Below you'll see the official press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

New Illinois Hunting and Trapping Season for Bobcats a Success

Preliminary harvest of 141 bobcats

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters and trappers took a preliminary total of 141 bobcats during the 2016-17 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Season.

“We are very pleased with the response to Illinois’ new hunting and trapping season for bobcats,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Wayne Rosenthal. “The recovery of the bobcat is a conservation success story in Illinois. We were pleased with the response of hunters and trappers that applied for permits, and we will continue to evaluate the program.”

Director Rosenthal and Gov. Rauner at IL
Sportsmen's Caucus Dinner

More than 6,400 people applied for 500 permits to take bobcats. Those awarded a permit in the lottery were required to register their harvest within 48 hours and purchase a Bobcat Pelt Temporary Permit. They reported taking 69 bobcats by hunting, 49 by trapping, 12 by archery, and salvaging 11 from roads. Bobcats were harvested in 44 counties in the open zone, which included western and southern parts of the state. Top counties were Pike (11), Jackson (10), Jefferson (7), Carroll (6), and Randolph (6).

The 2016-17 season for hunting bobcats with bow or gun was conducted November 10, 2016 through January 31, 2017 (closed during Firearm Deer Season), while permitted trappers were able to take bobcats Nov. 5, 2016 through Jan. 20, 2017 in the northern zone and Nov. 10, 2016 through Jan. 25, 2017 in the southern zone.

The table below includes preliminary bobcat harvest totals by county and method of take for the 2016-17 season. PDF of the table is at the link below.

2016-17 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Season Preliminary Harvest

Archery Gun Trap Salvage County Total
Adams 1 1 1 3
Alexander 2 2
Bond 1 3 1 5
Brown 1 2 3
Calhoun 2 1 3
Carroll 1 5 6
Cass 2 1 3
Clay 1 2 1 4
Clinton 2 1 3
Coles 1 1
Crawford 1 1
Cumberland 2 2
Edgar 1 1
Edwards 1 1
Effingham 2 2
Fayette 2 3 5
Franklin 1 1 2
Fulton 1 1 2
Gallatin 1 1 2
Greene 2 2
Hamilton 1 2 3
Hancock 2 2
Hardin 2 2
Jackson 8 1 1 10
Jasper 2 2 4
Jefferson 1 5 1 7
JoDaviess 1 1
Johnson 1 1
Marion 2 1 3
Massac 1 1
Monroe 3 2 5
Perry 2 2
Pike 2 4 5 11
Pope 2 2 4
Randolph 3 3 6
Saline 1 1 2
Schuyler 2 1 1 4
Scott 2 1 3
St Clair 1 1 2 4
Union 2 2
Wabash 3 3
Wayne 1 1 2
White 1 1 1 3
Williamson 3 3
Total per Category 12 69 49 11

Total 141

https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Documents/IDNR-BobcatHarvest-2016.pdf