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Indiana Bobcats Hunted to Quota Limit in Record Time
8 Dec
Summary
- Indiana's bobcat trapping season closed early after quota reached.
- The state's quota of 250 bobcats was met in just four weeks.
- This was the first bobcat season in Indiana since 1969.
Indiana's regulated bobcat trapping season, the first since 1969, has been officially closed by the Department of Natural Resources. The statewide quota of 250 bobcats was reached in a remarkably short period of four weeks, significantly earlier than the scheduled January 31 end date. This swift harvest has prompted concerns from wildlife protection groups.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had established the season framework based on population data, with mechanisms in place to closely monitor the total harvest. Geriann Albers, the DNR's furbearer and gamebird program leader, noted the success of the season for licensed trappers and indicated a review of the season's learnings for future bobcat management.
However, animal welfare advocates have voiced strong opposition, describing the season as a "mass slaughter." The season, limited to 40 southern Indiana counties, followed legislation requiring the DNR to establish such a season, after previous attempts to legalize bobcat hunting had stalled. The species was nearly eradicated by the mid-20th century due to hunting and habitat loss.
