Decades-long bobcat hunting ban deemed successful as population rebounds

Bobcat
The bobcat population in Illinois has exploded according to the head of a state trappers’ association. (Photo courtesy Flickr/Don DeBold)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – It’s been more than 40 years since bobcats could legally be hunted in Illinois, and conservation efforts for the wild cat have been a big success. Now that the bobcat population has rebounded, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) wants hunters to know they are fair game.

More than 6,400 hunters and trappers applied for permits to hunt bobcats during the 2016-17 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping season despite only 500 permits being available, according to IDNR.

In total, 141 bobcats were killed, according to IDNR, but Neal Graves, president of the Illinois Trappers Association, said that number doesn’t come close to the actual bobcat population.

Graves said he believes there are more than 5,000 bobcats in Illinois, and the population is increasing because its prey base is getting larger.

The heaviest population of bobcats can be found at the Shawnee National Forest, up the Mississippi River delta and along the Illinois River, according to Graves.

Taxpayers won’t have to worry about funding efforts to keep the bobcat population in check, he said. Hunters pay for conservation efforts by buying licenses and stamps.

Bobcats have been spotted in all 102 counties in Illinois, according to Graves, and he has advice for anyone that comes face to face with them.

“I would say there would be very little danger to humans, but if you see them, walk away and look at him from a distance,” Graves said.

Even though humans are generally safe when it comes to bobcats, pets are not.

“If you’ve got a teacup poodle or a house cat, you may have a problem,” Graves said. “House cats are probably one of the most opportune feeds for not only the bobcat but the red fox and the coyotes as well. They all like house cats.”

 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…