Published: June 27, 2009 08:06 pm      

Pa. bobcat harvest up

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hunters and trappers harvested 487 bobcats during the 2008-09 bobcat seasons, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“The 2008-09 bobcat permit holder success rate of 40 percent is tied for the second highest with the 2005-06 harvest, both of which were only surpassed by the 2006-07 harvest rate of 42 percent,” said Matthew Lovallo, Game Mammal Section supervisor and author of the agency’s bobcat management plan. “We expect that, if average winter conditions prevail, the permit holder success rate will range from 39 percent to 42 percent during the upcoming 2009-10 season.

“All of the tools we use to monitor the state’s bobcat population indicate increased abundance and continued geographic expansion outside of the established harvest area,” he said.

In 2008-09 the available harvest area was increased by 14 percent.

Similarly, an addition of acreage for the 2009-10 season will increase the allowable harvest area by 15 percent, and will better distribute harvest throughout the established bobcat range.

During the 2007-08 season, 356 bobcats were taken; 258 bobcats in 2006-07 season; 221 bobcats in 2005-06; 196 bobcats in 2004-05; 140 in 2003-04; 135 in 2002-03; 146 in 2001-02; and 58 in 2000-01.