Another Bobcat Sighting

Winnisquamer · 02-25-2016, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

As you may or may not know, the F&G department has approved by a 5-4 vote, in spite of overwhelming negative comments asking not to approve a trapping season, to have a lottery draw for 50 permits to trap bobcats each year.

There are an estimated 1200 bobcats in the state, if I remember the numbers. Unlike a hunting season for moose or deer, where the female of the species is readily evident by antlers, trapping will indiscriminately trap either sex. The recovery of the bobcat from endangered to nearly extinct in NH, while substantial, is by no means a total success. Not being able to exclude the trapping of the female of the species is not possible.

These creatures, while conceivably could attack our pets, seem to prefer to chase down their natural prey, such as small rodents and birds / fowl. I can't remember ever hearing about a bobcat attacking a family pet.

Is it probable that the trapping will turn the recovery of the species around and put it in a decline? Probably not. Will it slow down the recovery? Perhaps. Perhaps it will depend on how many female cats are killed each year.

I just think that there is not the need for a trapping season of this species. A large number of people have spoken against this trapping season, but the Department has chosen to listen to a small group of trappers in favor of the season. Therein lies the shame of it all, IMHO.

I agree. As an avid hunter/fisherman I just personally would not hunt these animals in this state.. If we lived in a place where they were plentiful and there was a necessity then ok. But not here, trapping to me is also cruel.

Someone at work said that F&G were asking for certain parts of the animal as well if hunted, does anyone know if that's true?

just wondering why hunt it if you can't keep it.

dam1960 · 02-25-2016, 02:22 PM

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wild...osal.html#faqs

Winnisquamer · 02-25-2016, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dam1960

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wild...osal.html#faqs

Quote:

Once all bobcat registration requirements are completed, a bobcat registration seal as provided in RSA 210:8 shall be affixed by a conservation officer to the bobcat skin for transportation. The fish and game department shall retain the bobcat carcass, including the skull with teeth attached, and with all internal organs intact. A permittee may retain edible portions of the bobcat other than the internal organs

So if I read this right, basically you could eat what ever's edible, has anyone ever tried bobcat? But you couldn't have it mounted with the skull and teeth like most do with bears.

Not a fan personally.

8gv · 02-25-2016, 03:32 PM

tastes like eggroll...

Are coyotes hunted now? They seem to be very abundant.

Winnisquamer · 02-25-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

tastes like eggroll...

Are coyotes hunted now? They seem to be very abundant.

There is no closed season and no bag limit for Coyote. Hunting Coyote at night is Jan 1st- March 31st statewide. I did see a ton (10-12) of Coyotes up in Pittsburg Grouse hunting this October.

Rusty · 02-25-2016, 04:35 PM

How do you set a trap for only Bob Cat's. Do they have something that says "Here Bob Cat, Here Bob Cat"? Or maybe a sign that says: FOR BOB CATS ONLY

Winnisquamer · 02-25-2016, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

How do you set a trap for only Bob Cat's. Do they have something that says "Here Bob Cat, Here Bob Cat"? Or maybe a sign that says: FOR BOB CATS ONLY

Maybe different size traps? But I have no idea.

Anyone that drives down lower bay or around Winnisquam I spotted a pretty big bald eagle out on the ice looking for a meal. He's been there for an hour or so, just outta reach of my camera unfortunately. Good to see them out since I haven't seen them since summer.

Greene's Basin Girl · 02-26-2016, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnisquamer

I agree. As an avid hunter/fisherman I just personally would not hunt these animals in this state.. If we lived in a place where they were plentiful and there was a necessity then ok. But not here, trapping to me is also cruel.

Someone at work said that F&G were asking for certain parts of the animal as well if hunted, does anyone know if that's true?

just wondering why hunt it if you can't keep it.

The next step is for the NH state legislature to vote for trapping or not.

trfour · 02-26-2016, 12:35 PM

There are Canadian Linx a little further Noth of the Lake...

Pineedles · 02-26-2016, 12:54 PM

While I am a hunter I don't participate in trapping, just a choice of mine. Many people are under the false assumption that the bobcat pelt is valuable. While extremely rare variations can be, believe me these cats are 1 in a thousand. The fur market is extremely depressed and many trappers are getting zero dollars at the auctions. It really doesn't pay to trap bobcats. JMO.

02-25-2016, 04:35 PM	#6
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	How do you set a trap for only Bob Cat's. Do they have something that says "Here Bob Cat, Here Bob Cat"? Or maybe a sign that says: FOR BOB CATS ONLY __________________ It's never crowded along the extra mile.

02-26-2016, 12:35 PM	#9
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,067 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Also... There are Canadian Linx a little further Noth of the Lake... Attached Images __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

02-25-2016, 02:22 PM	#2
dam1960 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 31 Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts	http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wild...osal.html#faqs

02-25-2016, 03:32 PM	#4
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,195 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	tastes like eggroll... Are coyotes hunted now? They seem to be very abundant.

02-26-2016, 12:54 PM	#10
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,550 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 672 Times in 369 Posts	While I am a hunter I don't participate in trapping, just a choice of mine. Many people are under the false assumption that the bobcat pelt is valuable. While extremely rare variations can be, believe me these cats are 1 in a thousand. The fur market is extremely depressed and many trappers are getting zero dollars at the auctions. It really doesn't pay to trap bobcats. JMO.