State Bobcat Season Holds Steady

A total of 306 bobcats were hunted during the Illinois bobcat season that ended February 15. An additional 29 roadkill bobcats were salvaged by state permit holders. Pike County led the state with 22 bobcats.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) issued 1,000 permits for the season.

IDNR thanked hunters, trappers and IDNR staff who collected jaws for bobcat research at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and cooperating landowners and trappers in central Illinois who helped with bobcat research at Western Illinois University.

There were three bobcats taken in Effingham County, one by gun, two by trap.

In area counties: Clay--five by gun, one by trap, one by salvage

Fayette--six by gun, two by trap, one by salvage

Jasper--two by gun, three by trap, one by salvage

Shelby--one by gun, one by trap

There were no bobcats taken in Cumberland County.