Bobcat Trapping
Nowadays, Bobcat trapping is allowed in some areas of its range. The Bobcat is considered to be of the least concern, which means it’s not threatened with extinction, but uncontrollable hunting and habitat destruction can be fatal for the species. In the USA, Canada, and Mexico, these animals are regulated and controlled. In the USA, the number of Bobcats is estimated to be around a million species, depending on food availability, diseases, and other factors. The population of the species in Canada and Mexico remains stable for many years.
In some states, limited Bobcat trapping and hunting is allowed; in others, these animals are protected by law. In the 1970s, Bobcats were hunted massively for their fur and for sport, which almost led to the extinction of the species. By the early 1990
s, the demand for Bobcat fur dropped significantly. These animals were hunted mostly for sport. Nowadays, these animals can be hunted under a license. Overpopulation of the Bobcat can be dangerous for the ecosystem, that’s why they have to be controlled by hunting in some areas. The hunting season is generally open in winter. Prior to planning your hunting vacation, make sure that these animals can be trapped or hunted in the area.
In Ohio and Indiana, Bobcat trapping is illegal, because the local population of the species is endangered. In Illinois and Iowa, Bobcats were removed from the threatened list thanks to an effective protection program. These animals are highly adaptable to various climates and can feed on a variety of prey. The main threats to the species are habitat fragmentation and diseases that sometimes occur and infect many Bobcats at a time.
Bobcats are very valuable as a part of the food chain in their habitats. They control the population of rodents and other small animals and maintain their territory free from carrion. It’s very difficult to hunt Bobcats, as in winter, when the hunting season begins, they prefer remote areas with muddy roads and deep snow. When their common food is scarce, they may come close to farms and raid poultry and domestic stock. Bobcat trapping is the only way out for farmers in these cases.