Last week on WOWO radio out of Ft. Wayne I heard of the possibility of trapping/hunting bobcats in southern Indiana along with the north east corner. Couldn't believe what I heard. Anyone can back this up I would appreciate it. Thanks

It's been mention on here before but I have heard they are talking about having a season as early as next year...

Not sure if true but I've been hearing the same thing. I saw one on deer stand in Perry County Wednesday morn. 60 yards away stalking the edge of a pine thicket in the snow, it was quite a sight. They are becoming more common and we hear them more too.

The recovery of the bobcat is a true conservation success story for Indiana.
-1969: Bobcats placed on state endangered species list (due to habitat loss and unregulated harvest)
-1989: DNR wildlife biologist start recording bobcat sightings
-1998-2005: Bobcat tracking study followed 38 bobcats for 1.5 yrs each
-1979-2012: DNR confirmed bobcat reports in 52 counties
-2006: Tracking study showed that bobcats disperse up to 50-100 miles and have a home range of 16-30 square miles
-2012-present: Recent trends show that bobcat road kills and related mortalities are up, suggesting the population continues to grow.
Any confirmed bobcat sightings including trail cameras photos, observed road-kills, or a report of an animals that has been accidentally trapped is useful to DNR staff and can be reported through dfw@dnr.in.gov

Watched one for 15 minutes yesterday.

Otters next year if it passes, which I'm assuming it will. Cats have been talked about for the future, but that's as far as it has gotten. I actually had this discussion with the District Bio. while we worked in my shop yesterday….I don't see that coming for at least two more years.

Sure wish they would hurry up and get er done, since they (bobcats) have increased in numbers on the farm I hunt in Swizterland Co. and the connecting farm to the south which the land owner has a pic of a female with 4 kits in it. And I have several pic with 1 and 2 cats in them. Over the last 5 yrs there has been a great decline in the turkey population. I know we had a bad winter last yr. but this has been over the last several yrs. My trail cam pics have not had any turkeys on 4 diff. cams.

As of last yr I have relocated feeding sights out of the tighter cover so the cats could not take advantage of the birds

Even decided to just let my son turkey hunt it too try and get the #'s back up.

sorry for turning the trapping thread to turkeys, but I feel the cats are really taking a toll on the birds. Also had a couple small coveys of quail but have not seen or heard them for a few years.

I bet Raccoons are doing more damage than Bobcats as far as your Turkey #'s declining... But if you are seeing that much Bobcat activity on trail cams, then I would say you have a very healthy population of Cats in your area...

mag, your comment about quail is interesting because about 5 minutes before I saw the bobcat yesterday a covey of quail starting calling up the woods edge. I ended up wondering if the cat had busted them.

I agree B78 coons and skunks can and do destroy an entire nest of eggs when they find them and do contribute to the decline of mature birds. But I believe with the increase in cats it has just added to the decline. The land owner has a gentleman that traps on the property catching a dozen or so coons and a few skunks each year. Only time will tell if trapping cats will help.