Outrage As Indiana Plans To Trap 250 Bobcats Despite Public Outcry; Urgent Action Needed!
Karen Lapizco
In a move that has sparked significant public outcry, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has adopted a rule proposal allowing an initial quota of 250 bobcats to be trapped as part of a new trapping season.
The decision comes in response to legislation passed earlier this year, which mandates that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) open a bobcat season by July 2025, despite overwhelming public opposition and a lack of scientific evidence justifying the killing of these animals.
During the recent presentation, the DNR outlined the various trapping methods that would be permissible under the new rules. These include cage traps, steel-jawed leghold traps, and cable wire snares, all designed to capture bobcats and hold them until the trapper returns to kill them. Notably, neck snares, which are specifically designed to strangle animals as they struggle, have raised particular concern among animal welfare advocates.
The NRC previously rejected a proposed bobcat season in 2018 due to significant public opposition, making this new proposal all the more contentious. The commission’s recent decision will lead to another public comment period in the coming months, where citizens will have the opportunity to voice their concerns and opposition.
“We are deeply disappointed by the Natural Resources Commission’s decision to initially approve a proposal that would allow so many of Indiana’s bobcats to be cruelly trapped and killed. While the Commission was given no choice on proposing such an unpopular season, we urge them to recognize Hoosier’s overwhelming opposition to this inhumane and scientifically unjustifiable treatment of Indiana’s only remaining native wildcat, whose population is still recovering,” said Samantha Chapman, Indiana state director for the Humane Society of the United States.
“As the legislation’s sponsor has noted numerous times, the DNR and the Commission have the discretion to set a quota of zero bobcats, which we believe is the only responsible course of action,” continued Chapman.
Despite the legislative requirement to establish a bobcat season, Chapman highlighted that the DNR and the NRC have the discretion to set a quota of zero bobcats.
Indiana lacks a reliable estimate of its bobcat population, a species that was classified as endangered until 2005. Known for their shy and elusive nature, bobcats primarily hunt rodents and rabbits, and conflicts with livestock are quite rare. Non-lethal methods have proven effective for managing any potential issues, allowing residents to request the removal of bobcats if necessary. This evidence suggests that the call for a trapping season may be overstated.
The DNR’s proposal seems to cater primarily to a small group of recreational trappers who seek bobcats for trophies or fur sales abroad, largely ignoring the widespread public opposition to such practices. Trapping poses significant risks, including injury and dehydration, along with severe psychological distress for captured animals, who can struggle for hours before being killed. Additionally, traps do not discriminate, posing a serious threat to pets, endangered species, and other non-target wildlife. This raises important ethical questions about the necessity of a bobcat trapping season.
As public interest in wildlife conservation grows, the impending public comment period presents an opportunity for Indiana residents to engage in the decision-making process and advocate for the protection of their native wildlife. The outcome of this proposal could have lasting implications for the state’s bobcat population and the broader conversation around wildlife management in Indiana.
