Indianapolis Star
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The Indiana Natural Resources Commission opened its second public comment period for the upcoming bobcat trapping season, which is set to begin next year.
The season, which has been welcomed by some and condemned by others, would allow Hoosiers to trap in 40 southern counties. Each trapper would be allowed one bobcat per season and the rule would limit the statewide season quota to 250 bobcats total.
State legislators this year passed the legislation mandating DNR establish bobcat trapping rules by July 2025.
The open comment period is the second of two, with the first ending with a public hearing in Butlerville in November.
During the November meeting, opponents argued that bobcats are crucial for ecosystem balance and current population data is not sufficient to support opening a season. Supporters at the meeting said the season is needed to protect livestock from being killed by bobcats.
Previous coverage:Trapping plan for Indiana bobcats, once listed as endangered, moving forward for 2025
Bobcats, once nearly gone from the state, have been recovering since first placed on Indiana’s endangered species list in 1969. The state removed them from the list in 2005 after reported roadkill and other mortalities increased in the early 2000s, according to a former furbearer biologist for DNR.
Indiana has about 4,000 Hoosiers holding trapping licenses, and state officials estimate half of them would apply for a bobcat permit.
How to participate
The public comment period is open through Jan. 16 when a public meeting will be held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds from 5:30-8 p.m. Hoosiers can attend the meeting in person or online.
The public meeting will be in the fairgrounds’ Scott Hall at 250 Fairgrounds Street in Franklin. The live webcast will be streaming at in.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket.
Comments can be made online at in.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and by clicking on “Submit Comments Here” in the Rulemaking Docket for the Proposed Bobcat Amendments.
Handwritten comments can be sent to: Natural Resources Commission – Division of Hearings, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Ave. – Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Exposing the Big Game 