Indiana Reopens Bobcat Trapping After 50-Year Ban, Sparking Debate

In a controversial move, the state of Indiana has reopened bobcat trapping for the first time in over 50 years. The season, which began on November 8, 2025, has divided opinions between trappers and animal rights advocates.

Trappers like Nick Erny are excited to be able to target bobcats in their home state, after previously having to travel to neighboring states like Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan to pursue the activity. Erny argues that the bobcat population is robust enough to sustain a controlled harvest, and that the state's rules, including a statewide quota of 250 bobcats, are a good starting point.

However, animal rights groups like Humane World for Animals strongly disagree. They claim the state does not have enough reliable data to prove the bobcat population can withstand the trapping season. The group had pushed for a zero-quota limit, which would have allowed a season to exist but prevented any bobcats from being legally trapped.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is taking a cautious approach, closely monitoring the trapping data to assess the health of the bobcat population. They will use this information, along with data from future seasons, to potentially adjust the rules and quotas as needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the state's bobcat population.

As of November 12, 2025, just four days after the season opened, trappers had already reported 35 tagged bobcats, more than 10% of the statewide quota. This early success has left some, like Erny, believing the quota is too low, while others worry it could signal trouble for the species.