Bobcat
Season Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | DATES | HOURS | LIMIT | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat Hunting | 10 Nov 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting. | Open 24 hours a day | 1 by permit only | Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to take a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking bobcats in closed zone is prohibited. |
| Bobcat Trapping | 10 Nov 2025–15 Feb 2026 | 1 by permit only | Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking bobcats in closed zone is prohibited. |
Licenses & Stamps
Residents and non-residents will need the following to hunt and/or trap furbearers:
- Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions) and/or Trapping license
- State Habitat Stamp
- Trapper Education course is required for resident or non-resident first-time trappers born on or after January 1, 1998, except no course is required for residents or non-residents 18 years of age or younger that have a Youth Trapping License. The youth license requires youth are supervised by a parent, grandparent or guardian who is age 21 or over, while trapping.
See Licenses/Stamps to find what licenses and stamps you qualify for
See the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations for full details on licenses and stamps
Find your current permits/licenses online
Correct, replace or reprint permits/licenses online
Permits & Lotteries
Bobcat permit applications are available online only between September 1 – 30. Applicants must submit a $5 non-refundable fee. Available permits will be allocated during a lottery and mailed to successful applicants.
Limit: Successful applicants may harvest one bobcat by hunting or trapping during the season. They can also fill their permit by salvaging a road-kill (during open seasons).
Bobcat Registration Permit: If you harvest a bobcat, you must purchase a $5 bobcat registration permit online only within 48 hours. The Department will mail you a federal CITES tag within 2-3 weeks.
Bobcat Tagging Requirement: A federal CITES tag must be permanently affixed to each bobcat pelt before it is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, taxidermist, fur tanner, or garment manufacturer.
Applicants can check the results by following the steps below:
- Visit ExploreMoreIL.com
- Confirm customer information and residency
- Access customer homepage
- Scroll down to the “Licenses” section and select “Purchase History” in the white box.
- Successful applicants who received a bobcat permit will see “PRIV CODE 1300 Bobcat Lottery Permit” in the current year section. Unsuccessful applicants will not see this PRIV CODE in the current year list.
- Successful applicants should receive their permit by the end of October.
There is still a lot of interest in the bobcat hunting and trapping season. There were over 9,200 applications submitted in 2024 and 2,000 permits issued (a record number of applications and the number of permits was doubled)! The odds of drawing a permit were 21.6% (1 in 5) and nobody who drew a permit last year was awarded a permit this year. Results of recently completed research from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) estimated the Illinois bobcat population at +23,600. The research also ran a population model that indicated an additional 450 bobcats could be harvested annually without causing the population to decline (it should continue to increase slowly). In addition to this SIUC study, decades of data from Archery Deer Hunter Surveys and firearm deer hunters indicate trends in bobcat abundance and distribution continued to increase since the first conservative bobcat season was implemented in 2016. These data guide the Department as we ensure a healthy bobcat population in the state while providing opportunities for hunters and trappers. We will continue to monitor trends and make adjustments to the season based on the best available science.
Note: Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. A federal CITES tag mailed to you by the IDNR within 2-3 weeks. The CITES tag must be permanently affixed to each bobcat pelt before it is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, taxidermist, fur tanner, or garment manufacturer.
Hunting
Statewide Regulations (excludes IDNR sites):
- Centerfire or rimfire rifle of any caliber (single shot through semi-automatic, no magazine/capacity restrictions). Hunters are responsible for the projectiles they fire. Follow the rules of Hunter Safety – be sure of your target and what is beyond
- Shotguns must be no larger than 10 gauge in bore diameter, (e.g. 12, 20, 28, 410, etc.), slugs allowed
- Single shot through semi-automatic handgun of any caliber
- Archery (see Deer info for equipment specifications)
IDNR Site Restrictions:
- Only .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms allowed from sunset to sunrise unless otherwise stated in site-specific regulations
- Slugs are not allowed
- Cannot use or possess any tree climbing or cutting device (e.g., axe or saw) when hunting furbearers
- Some IDNR sites require an annual Hound Running Area Permit. Contact the IDNR Springfield Office to apply for a permit
Trapping
Statewide Trap specifications (diameter measured from inside edge of jaws or cable):
- Leghold set on land must have jaw spread of 6.5 inches or less
- Leghold set in water must have jaw spread of 7.5 inches or less
- Body-gripping trap on land must have jaw spread of 7 inches or less on a side if square or 8 inches if round
- Body-gripping trap in water must have jaw spread of 7″ or more and must be completely submerged in water.
- Snares must be 15 inches or less in diameter when set and be constructed of cable between 5/64 to 1/8 inch diameter and equipped with a mechanical lock, anchor swivel and stop device that prevents the snare loop from closing less than 2.5 inches in diameter. At least half the snare be must submerged in water at all times
- Must mark or tag all traps with the name and address or IDNR customer number of the trap owner
- Traps must be checked and animals removed at least once per day
- Saw-toothed, spiked or toothed jaw traps are illegal
- Can use a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm to dispatch animals from traps on IDNR sites, unless site-specific regulations state otherwise
- No trapping is permitted in IDNR site subimpoundments or designated waterfowl management units during duck season
- Other regulations apply. See the Furbearer section of the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 550, 570, 970, 525
Harvest Data
Bobcat Harvest Data 2024-2025
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| ALEXANDER | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| BOND | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| BROWN | 1 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 19 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| CALHOUN | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| CASS | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| CLARK | 1 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 18 |
| CLAY | 0 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
| CLINTON | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| DOUGLAS | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| EFFINGHAM | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 21 |
| FRANKLIN | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| FULTON | 1 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| GREENE | 0 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| HENRY | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| JACKSON | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| JASPER | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| JEFFERSON | 2 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
| JERSEY | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| JODAVIESS | 0 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| JOHNSON | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| KNOX | 1 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 15 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| LEE | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MACON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MACOUPIN | 0 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| MADISON | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| MARION | 1 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 15 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| MASSAC | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| MENARD | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| MERCER | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| MONROE | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| MONTGOMERY | 0 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 17 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 15 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| OGLE | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| PERRY | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| PIKE | 2 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 27 |
| POPE | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| RANDOLPH | 1 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| RICHLAND | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| ROCK ISLAND | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SALINE | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 14 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| STARK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| WABASH | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| WHITE | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Season Total | 30 | 385 | 234 | 25 | 674 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 649 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 9200 | ||||
| Permits | 2000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 649 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 33.70% | ||||
| % Salvage | 3.71% | ||||
| % Hunted | 61.57% | ||||
| % Trapped | 34.72% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 32.45% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2023-2024
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| BOND | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| BROWN | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| CASS | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| CLARK | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| CLAY | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| EDGAR | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| EFFINGHAM | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
| FRANKLIN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FULTON | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GREENE | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| HAMILTON | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| HANCOCK | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| HENRY | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| JACKSON | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| JASPER | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| JEFFERSON | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 12 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| JODAVIESS | 0 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| JOHNSON | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| KNOX | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MACOUPIN | 3 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| MADISON | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| MARION | 2 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 16 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASSAC | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MENARD | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| MONTGOMERY | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| OGLE | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PERRY | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| PIKE | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 18 |
| POPE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| SALINE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| SCOTT | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| UNION | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WABASH | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| WARREN | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| WASHINGTON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| WHITE | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| WHITESIDE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Season Total | 24 | 190 | 156 | 19 | 389 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 370 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 7000 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 370 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 38.90% | ||||
| % Salvage | 4.88% | ||||
| % Hunted | 55.01% | ||||
| % Trapped | 40.10% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 37.00% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2022-2023
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BOND | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| BROWN | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 15 |
| BUREAU | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| CASS | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| CLARK | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| CLAY | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| CLINTON | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CRAWFORD | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| EFFINGHAM | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| FAYETTE | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| FRANKLIN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| FULTON | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 12 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GREENE | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| JACKSON | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| JASPER | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| JEFFERSON | 0 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 17 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| JODAVIESS | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| JOHNSON | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| KNOX | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MACOUPIN | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| MADISON | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| MARION | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASSAC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MENARD | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| MONTGOMERY | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| OGLE | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| PERRY | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| PIKE | 0 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 24 |
| POPE | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| PULASKI | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| PUTNAM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| RANDOLPH | 1 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| SALINE | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| WABASH | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| WHITE | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 20 | 178 | 169 | 15 | 382 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 367 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 6200 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 367 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 38.20% | ||||
| % Salvage | 3.93% | ||||
| % Hunted | 51.83% | ||||
| % Trapped | 44.24% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 36.70% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2021-2022
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| BOND | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| BROWN | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| CARROLL | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| CASS | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| CLARK | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| CLAY | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CRAWFORD | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| EDGAR | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| EDWARDS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| EFFINGHAM | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| FAYETTE | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| FRANKLIN | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| FULTON | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| GALLATIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GREENE | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| JASPER | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| JEFFERSON | 2 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 17 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| JODAVIESS | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| JOHNSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MACOUPIN | 1 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| MADISON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| MARION | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MASSAC | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| MCDONOUGH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| MENARD | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| MERCER | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MONROE | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| MONTGOMERY | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MORGAN | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| OGLE | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| PERRY | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| PIKE | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| POPE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| SALINE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SANGAMON | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| ST CLAIR | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| WABASH | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| WARREN | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WASHINGTON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WAYNE | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| WHITE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 24 | 150 | 116 | 23 | 313 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 290 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 6300 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 290 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 31.30% | ||||
| % Salvage | 7.35% | ||||
| % Hunted | 55.59% | ||||
| % Trapped | 37.06% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 29.00% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2020-2021
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 14 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BOND | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| BROWN | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| CALHOUN | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| CASS | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| CLARK | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| CLAY | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| EFFINGHAM | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| FAYETTE | 2 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| FRANKLIN | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| FULTON | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GREENE | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| JASPER | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| JEFFERSON | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| JODAVIESS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| JOHNSON | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| LAWRENCE | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| MACOUPIN | 1 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 17 |
| MADISON | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MARION | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| MASSAC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MENARD | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| MONTGOMERY | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| MORGAN | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| OGLE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PERRY | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| PIKE | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| POPE | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| SALINE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| WABASH | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| WHITE | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WILLIAMSON | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 21 | 175 | 143 | 22 | 361 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 339 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 6500 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 339 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 36.10% | ||||
| % Salvage | 6.09% | ||||
| % Hunted | 54.29% | ||||
| % Trapped | 39.61% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 33.90% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2019-2020
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| BOND | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| BROWN | 0 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 16 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| CASS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CLARK | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| CLAY | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| CLINTON | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| EFFINGHAM | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| FRANKLIN | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| FULTON | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GREENE | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| JASPER | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| JEFFERSON | 1 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 16 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| JODAVIESS | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| JOHNSON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MACOUPIN | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| MADISON | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| MARION | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MASSAC | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MENARD | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| MONTGOMERY | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| OGLE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PERRY | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| PIKE | 0 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 22 |
| POPE | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| SALINE | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| WABASH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| WHITE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Season Total | 16 | 135 | 155 | 29 | 335 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 306 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 5800 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 306 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 33.50% | ||||
| % Salvage | 8.66% | ||||
| % Hunted | 45.07% | ||||
| % Trapped | 46.27% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 30.60% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2018-2019
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| BOND | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| BROWN | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| CASS | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CLARK | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| CLAY | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CRAWFORD | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| EFFINGHAM | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| FRANKLIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FULTON | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GREENE | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| HENDERSON | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 1 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| JASPER | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| JEFFERSON | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| JERSEY | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| JODAVIESS | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| JOHNSON | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MACOUPIN | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| MADISON | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| MARION | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MASSAC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| MENARD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| MONTGOMERY | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OGLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PERRY | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| PIKE | 2 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 25 |
| POPE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| SALINE | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| ST CLAIR | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| WABASH | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| WHITE | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 18 | 159 | 129 | 37 | 343 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 306 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 5100 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 306 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 34.30% | ||||
| % Salvage | 10.79% | ||||
| % Hunted | 51.60% | ||||
| % Trapped | 37.61% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 30.60% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2017-2018
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| BOND | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| BROWN | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| CARROLL | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| CASS | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| CLARK | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| CLAY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| EFFINGHAM | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 18 |
| FRANKLIN | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| FULTON | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| GREENE | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| HAMILTON | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| HARDIN | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 3 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| JASPER | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 |
| JEFFERSON | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 |
| JERSEY | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| JODAVIESS | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| JOHNSON | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MACOUPIN | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MADISON | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| MARION | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MASSAC | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MENARD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 14 |
| MONTGOMERY | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| MORGAN | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OGLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PERRY | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| PIKE | 4 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 27 |
| POPE | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 16 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| SALINE | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| ST CLAIR | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TAZEWELL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| UNION | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| WABASH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 13 |
| WHITE | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 29 | 130 | 159 | 40 | 358 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 318 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 4500 | ||||
| Permits | 1000 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 318 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 35.80% | ||||
| % Salvage | 11.17% | ||||
| % Hunted | 44.41% | ||||
| % Trapped | 44.41% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 31.80% |
Bobcat Harvest Data 2016-2017
| County | Archery | Gun | Trap | Salvage | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| ALEXANDER | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| BOND | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| BROWN | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| BUREAU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CALHOUN | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| CARROLL | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| CASS | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| CHRISTIAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CLARK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CLAY | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| CLINTON | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| COLES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| CRAWFORD | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CUMBERLAND | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| EDGAR | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| EDWARDS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| EFFINGHAM | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| FAYETTE | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| FRANKLIN | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| FULTON | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| GALLATIN | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| GREENE | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| HAMILTON | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| HANCOCK | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| HARDIN | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| HENDERSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| HENRY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JACKSON | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| JASPER | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| JEFFERSON | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| JERSEY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JODAVIESS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| JOHNSON | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| KNOX | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LAWRENCE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LOGAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MACOUPIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MADISON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MARION | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| MARSHALL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MASSAC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MCDONOUGH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MENARD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MERCER | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MONROE | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| MONTGOMERY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MORGAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MOULTRIE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OGLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PEORIA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PERRY | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| PIKE | 2 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 11 |
| POPE | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| PULASKI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PUTNAM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| RANDOLPH | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| RICHLAND | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SALINE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| SANGAMON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SCHUYLER | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| SCOTT | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| SHELBY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ST CLAIR | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| STEPHENSON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TAZEWELL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| UNION | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| WABASH | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| WARREN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WASHINGTON | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WAYNE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| WHITE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| WHITESIDE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WILLIAMSON | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| WINNEBAGO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| WOODFORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Season Total | 12 | 69 | 49 | 11 | 141 |
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 130 | ||||
| Applications (approx) | 6500 | ||||
| Permits | 500 | ||||
| Harvest (Total less salvage) | 130 | ||||
| % Permits Filled | 28.20% | ||||
| % Salvage | 7.80% | ||||
| % Hunted | 57.45% | ||||
| % Trapped | 34.75% | ||||
| Hunter/trapper success rate | 26.00% |
Management and Ecology
History of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping
In 2016, the bobcat became the 13th species of furbearer that has a regulated hunting or trapping season. It is one of many examples of a recovered wildlife species that highlights the work of biologists, researchers and landowners across the state. Learn more about Bobcats in Illinois here.
Season Dates: 10 November – 15 February, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
The science of wildlife management has come a long way since the early 1900s when many populations of wildlife species, including bobcats, were low and mostly restricted to isolated pockets of high-quality habitat. As wildlife populations declined across the country, conservationists including hunters and trappers supported legislative changes for better management and protection of wildlife and wild places. As time and legislation (notably the Pittman Robertson Act in 1937 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973) passed, modern wildlife management concepts took shape and even predators such as bobcats and wolves were afforded some protections (this reversed decades, perhaps centuries, of persecution of predators). Before 1972, there were no limits or closed season on bobcats in Illinois. They were formally protected by the Wildlife Code in 1972 and listed as a state threatened species in 1977.
These protections combined with changes in land use, enforcement of game laws by Conservation Police and incentives for habitat restoration have turned things around for bobcats and many wildlife species in Illinois and across the United States. White-tailed deer, river otter, American badger and wild turkey are all species that were nearly extirpated from the state at the turn of the 20th century and made successful recoveries. Managers monitor the populations and allow a regulated hunting and/or trapping season that allows for limited harvest and utilization of some animals—without endangering the populations.
In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration (Illinois Federal Aid Project W-126-R), for several decades the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory (CWRL) at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale conducted research that focused on bobcats. Since 1995, they have radio-collared more than 120 bobcats and followed them around during their daily lives. They learned about preferred habitats, den locations, interactions with other species, survival, seasonal movements and home range size. They also collected and analyzed over 250 road-killed bobcats to learn about their diet, parasites, genetics, body condition, age, reproductive history, etc. More than 20 scholarly articles were published that investigated most aspects of bobcat ecology.
This research and various surveys have documented population growth, range expansion and increased observations of bobcats in every county. Researchers helped the IDNR get a better understanding of bobcat ecology in Illinois. By 1999, bobcats had been reported in 99 of 102 counties and they were removed from Illinois’ list of state threatened species. In 2016, Illinois joined 40 other states in the U.S. with a managed bobcat hunting and trapping season. The bobcat is one of 13 species of furbearers that have regulated hunting or trapping seasons in Illinois. It is one of many examples of a recovered wildlife species that highlights the work of biologists, researchers and landowners across the state.
IDNR asks every successful deer hunter throughout the state several questions when they harvest and check in a deer. Among these questions about the deer are a few questions on other species which include ‘How many bobcats did you see while hunting this location?’. In 2005, 4 percent of the hunters who checked in a deer saw at least one bobcat across the state. In 2021, 18.7 percent of the successful hunters reported seeing at least one bobcat, documenting a big increase in the percent of successful deer hunters who saw bobcats from 2005 to 2021 across the state.
Percentages of successful deer hunters statewide who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting from 2005 – 2021.
Percentages of successful deer hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting in Region 1 Northwestern Illinois from 2005 – 2021.
Percentages of successful deer hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting in Region 2 Northeastern Illinois from 2005 – 2021.
Percentages of successful deer hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting in Region 3 East Central Illinois from 2005 – 2021.
Percentages of successful deer hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting in Region 4 West Central Illinois from 2005 – 2021.
Percentages of successful deer hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting in Region 5 Southern Illinois from 2005 – 2021.
The biggest increase was in west-central Illinois (Region 4). Four percent of the deer hunters who checked in deer in Region 4 observed at least one bobcat in 2005. In 2021, 25.4 percent of successful deer hunters in Region 4 reported seeing a bobcat. Compare that to the traditional bobcat stronghold of southern Illinois (Region 5) where 7.8 percent of successful deer hunters reported seeing at least one bobcat in 2005 with the percentage growing to 24.3 percent by 2021.
IDNR also conducts several other annual surveys that provide indices of bobcat abundance across the state. A random sample of all resident archery deer hunters are surveyed annually by the Illinois Natural History Survey (using funds allocated from IDNR and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act) to provide an index of the abundance and distribution of various wildlife species across the state. This survey asks hunters to report the time and location of all archery deer hunts and record observations of bobcat, coyote, deer, red and gray fox, squirrel and wild turkey. The value of these data are in the trends of the observations over time. In 1992 hunters across the state saw an average of 0.5 bobcats per 1,000 hours of observation. In 2022, hunters observed 7.8bobcats per 1,000 hours of observation. For comparison, the same hunters saw an average of 994 deer, 31.9 coyotes and 2.1 red fox per 1,000 hours of observation in 2022.
With several decades of research and multiple surveys indicating a healthy and growing population, the decision was made to start a limited, closely managed hunting and trapping season for bobcats. Applications from hunters and trappers ranged from 4500 to over 7000 over the last 8 years.
During the first bobcat season in 2016, 26 percent of 500 permit holders filled their permits by hunting or trapping. The next seven seasons, 1,000 permits were issued per year and the success rate was 29 to 37 percent. Starting in 2024, the Department began to issue 2,000 permits to hunters and trappers. We will continue to monitor trends and make adjustments to bobcat management based on the best available science.
Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits Issued 2016-2024
In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 the number of bobcats harvested was 318, 306, 306, 339, 290, 367, 370 and 649 respectively (not counting salvage).
The percentage of bobcats taken by hunters compared to trappers has been a little more variable. The percent of bobcats taken by trapping ranged from 35 to 46 percent per year and those taken by hunting ranged from 44 to 57 percent.
The bobcat season coincides with the regular trapping season, starting November 10 and ending February 15. Based on harvest data, many permit holders fill their tags after Christmas. Most of the deer and waterfowl seasons have passed, temperatures have dropped and pelts are prime. In 52 days of the season in November and December 2019, 36 percent of the bobcats were harvested for the season. In January and February (46 days), 64 percent of the bobcats were harvested. This suggests that either effort or the likelihood of success is greater in the second half of the season. A contributing factor could be increased daily movement of bobcats during the breeding season, especially among males.
What does the future hold for the bobcat season in Illinois? IDNR will continue to monitor bobcats and work with researchers to increase our understanding of bobcat population dynamics, survival, occupancy and distribution across Illinois. The Department will continue to work with researchers to build on decades of bobcat research in southern and western Illinois. This work will increase our understanding of bobcats throughout Illinois and lead to better management of the species. We will continue to learn, and make adjustments as needed, to improve the management of this species and ensure that a healthy bobcat population is a part of Illinois for future generations.
Additional Resources
Illinois Trapper Education Course Information