At a FWCC. Meeting last night we were informed the bobcat hunting and trapping rules (dates) have been preliminary adopted and posted for comments. The proposed dates are November 8th 2018 thru January 31st 2019. Each hunter or trapper has a bag limit of ONE until an established county quota is reached.

My question to trappers and hunters are as following.

1. Coyote trapping starts earlier October 15th, would it not be better if bobcat trapping started on the same date as coyote? As proposed trappers would have to release any bobcat caught in traps prior to November 8th. Coyote and bobcats ets are the same, why would we educate and give a sore paw? I propose we start trapping of coyote and bobcats to start on October 15th.

2. Hunting bobcats would be during firearm deer season. This would mean several bobcats could/ would be taken with large caliber rifles,muzzleloader and shotgun slugs on an "opportunity" basis. The prior mentioned loads would destroy the pelts of a beautiful game animal. I would propose a split season for bobcats, trapping as the first season per above. Then we could have a hunting season from January 1-31.

There are not many trappers left and with a limit of one per person I doubt a county limit would fill prior to January 1st. A January hunting season would give sportsmen a new critter and a different experience with this species including game calling.

What says you guys? And please comment on the rule on IDNR comment page.

1. Agree with the earlier Oct 15 trapping start date.

2. Agree also on the hunting season being a different time than deer season.

Yes have two seasons Trapping first then a Hunting last.

Anyone know how it's done in neighboring states?

At least fur should be prime by 11/8, maybe that was the logic. I'm glad to see a season on them.

What if we would meet half way and open Coyote and bobcat season on Nov 1st. This would allow the pelts to be more prime then an Oct 15th start. I normally don't start trapping until after deer gun season anyway. I think it is silly too that the fox trapping and hunting seasons are different. Trapping fox is Oct 15th to Jan 31 and hunting fox is Oct 15th to Feb 28th. They need to be the same.

I agree completely. Why not make all furbearer seasons, whether trapping or hunting, start the same time? As previously stated most furs are not prime in October.

Is this state wide every county? Or is it broken up like the otter season? If any knows...

Since coon hunters tree/see more bobcats than any other group of hunters/trappers I imagine the Nov 8 opening season date is to coincide with the coon season opener. h.h.

Yes have the season different Trapping first then hunting last.I would think trappers would want a later date for Bobcats and coyote trapping season so the Fur would be more prime.

From what I hear Bobcat season will only be in a few selct counties in the southern part of state.Thus more reason to have Bobcats and coyote trapping season starting the same time in these counties.

If there was a proposed bobcat season for my county I would vote for a later trapping season than October 15. Fine for coyotes if you like them blue. Most experienced trappers I am reading are wanting a later season as well. The fur would be better later.

Make you opinions known to the DNR and NRC by giving comments at - www.in.gov/nrc/2377.htm

Yes. I support trapping only, no hunting season for them and Nov 15 start

Looks like a decision on Tuesday next week....

https://www.in.gov/nrc/2354.htm


https://www.indystar.com/story/news...coons-and-coyotes-decided-dnr/595405002/

The Word on the street is that Bob cat season was shot down today at the meeting.

Anyone have a official update from the meeting?

It was reported on WTHR that rules were shot down.

https://www.wthr.com/article/bobcat-hunting-season-nuisance-animal-proposals-turned-away

NRC rejects proposed rule that would have permitted bobcat hunting and trapping...


The Indiana Natural Resources Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to withdraw a rule proposal that would have authorized a bobcat hunting and trapping season, and another proposal that would have required nuisance wild animal control permit holders to euthanize raccoons, opossums, and coyotes.

Proposed changes to other rules that involved the possession or sale of bobcats were also withdrawn from the DNR’s biennial wildlife rules package. A modification was given to some language (in 312 IAC 9-10-11) governing reporting requirements for nuisance wild animal control permit holders.

After making these amendments, the NRC granted final adoption to the rules package, which includes a number of amendments to 312 IAC 9, which governs rules relating to wildlife.

The actions took place at the NRC’s regularly scheduled meeting at Fort Harrison State Park on Tuesday.

The NRC granted preliminary adoption to the original biennial rules package in September 2017, starting the rule-change process. The most significant of the wildlife rule amendments that were granted final adoption as part of the rules package include the following:

* Allowing the hides and carcasses of legally harvested furbearers taken during the season to be kept year-round by hunters and trappers without a special authorization or permit.

* Adding several bats and the rufa red knot (a federally threatened bird) to the state’s endangered-species list.

* Removing the osprey and several mussels from the state’s endangered species list.

* Adding Elkhart, Kosciusko, and Noble counties to the fall wild turkey firearms hunting season.

The rule package that was presented to the NRC on Tuesday is on the NRC’s website is at nrc.IN.gov/files/Ex_H.pdf but does not reflect the changes made at the NRC’s meeting.

Once the rule package has been signed in its final approved form, it will be sent as a part of an assembled rule package to the Office of the Attorney General, which has 45 days to review it. On approval, the Office of the Attorney General will forward the proposed rule amendment to the Governor, who has then has 15 days, which may be extended by an additional 15 days, to approve or disapprove the rule package as it was forwarded to him. If the Governor neither approves or disapproves the rule package, it is deemed approved by statute.

The rule package, if approved, is then filed with the publisher (the Legislative Services Agency). In most cases a rule becomes effective 30 days after it is accepted for filing.

Meanwhile, the NRC also approved Glacier’s End in Johnson County as a new nature preserve. The action increases to 285 the number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act. Glacier’s End Nature Preserve covers 298 acres and extends the amount of contiguous forestland where the Wisconsinan Glaciation ran into the Brown County Hills to more than 550 acres.