Both.Have got them on camera or seen them with chicken or are they just assuming it's Bobcats?
They had to rework their coop to cover the run area.
Both.Have got them on camera or seen them with chicken or are they just assuming it's Bobcats?
You say that but the Harvest numbers are high and steady…. Of course, they will get any and all sick animals but the impact isn't currently high on the healthy.IMOPeople think they only eat small vermin and birds. I have footage of a deer kill site, where big Tom ate a whole deer in one weekend. The deer had its neck broke and died instantly, no sign of struggle. They are hell on turkey too.
Are you sure it was a bobcat and not a couger? A bobcat weighs roughly 1/5 of what you do - could you eat a whole deer in one weekend?People think they only eat small vermin and birds. I have footage of a deer kill site, where big Tom ate a whole deer in one weekend. The deer had its neck broke and died instantly, no sign of struggle. They are hell on turkey too.
That was the reason we staked cameras on kill site. It was a fresh kill found on a Friday in October. Put one camera on still photos and one on video. The Tom would uncover every three hours and eat, cover up and repeat. On Monday the deer was gone. The guts and hide/skeleton were all that remained. Not until the cat was finished did any other scavenger arrive.Are you sure it was a bobcat and not a couger? A bobcat weighs roughly 1/5 of what you do - could you eat a whole deer in one weekend?
Speaking from experience, it was probably more than one bobcat feeding on the carcass. My father found a fresh deer carcass that they neighbor shot and lost and put one of my trail cams over it a few years back. Over the course of 4 days there were at least 6 different bobcats feeding on it and possibly as many as 9. There wasn't much left of the deer after after 3 days.Are you sure it was a bobcat and not a couger? A bobcat weighs roughly 1/5 of what you do - could you eat a whole deer in one weekend?
I agree with controlling them I am for trapping them only not hunting them (same as otters)…..Trappers have been releasing them for a long time they have earned the right to control them if needed.Speaking from experience, it was probably more than one bobcat feeding on the carcass. My father found a fresh deer carcass that they neighbor shot and lost and put one of my trail cams over it a few years back. Over the course of 4 days there were at least 6 different bobcats feeding on it and possibly as many as 9. There wasn't much left of the deer after after 3 days.
A few years before that, my father shot a doe and was unsure of the hit so he backed out until the next morning. He found it the next morning buried under a pile of leaves and debris. Fortunately the cat hadn't fed on it yet.
Bobcats need to be controlled and managed like anything else. Those in central and northern Indiana do not know how fortunate they are to not have the bobcat population that southern Indiana does... yet. If we ever do get a bobcat season, it'll probably be too little, too late for the southern third of the state.
I doubt trapping alone will be nearly enough. Even allowing both hunting and trapping may not be enough in the southern third of the state.I agree with controlling them I am for trapping them only not hunting them (same as otters)…..Trappers have been releasing them for a long time they have earned the right to control them if needed.
They estimate 1000 in the state…you thinking that’s an under estimate?I doubt trapping alone will be nearly enough. Even allowing both hunting and trapping may not be enough in the southern third of the state.
It be interesting to know how many nuisance permits are actually issued for them…that would actually back a season for them for sure. That’s how we got an otter season….We call them in on a regular basis. Sucks to pass them up. All of the DNR biologists are in favor of a season. When I was registering my otter the biologist stated that they issue nuisance permits for them, when they are treated as a nuisance, they should be treated as a resource and not wasted. Overdue for a season on them, at least down south.
I have no way to be sure but I'd guess a population estimate of 1000 is probably a pretty accurate estimate... for a 4-6 county area in the SW part of the state. I've no experience in the SE corner of the state but the habitat is as good or better over there so I'd imagine they will have a similar population soon if not already. With the increase in bobcat sightings ans photos I've had in Putnam County the last 5-6 years, I wouldn't be surprised if west central Indiana doesn't have close to a 1000 by now as well.They estimate 1000 in the state…you thinking that’s an under estimate?
South of I-70 is probably 2/3 the population IMO
Thought that myself (about releasing) them. Been trapping for a lot of years, don’t know a trapper that doesn’t have a catch pole. Slip over the head, stretch him out, step on the springs, let him go.I agree with controlling them I am for trapping them only not hunting them (same as otters)…..Trappers have been releasing them for a long time they have earned the right to control them if needed.