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HARRISBURG - A Commonwealth Court ruling issued today allows the first bobcat seasons to be held in Pennsylvania since 1970 to proceed as adopted by the Board of Game Commissioners.
"The Pennsylvania Game Commission is pleased with the court^s ruling, and we believe that it affirms the fact that the bobcat seasons were adopted in a public forum and based on sound science," said Vern Ross, Commission executive director.
"In 1970, the Game Commission and the hunters and trappers of Pennsylvania moved to close the bobcat seasons out of a concern for dwindling numbers. However, after 30 years of protection and 15 years of field research by the Game Commission, the bobcat population has reached a point where we now can offer this unique hunting and trapping opportunity without threatening this valuable wildlife resource."
A recent letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated that "it is apparent that a great deal of time, effort and expertise went into preparation of the (bobcat management) report submitted." The letter continued by noting that the report shows that the "bobcats taken in the 2000-2001 harvest season will not be detrimental to the survival of the species."
"The highly-regulated bobcat seasons will provide a limited number of sportsmen a once-in-a-lifetime type of hunting or trapping opportunity," said Dr. Matthew Lovallo, Commission furbearer biologist. "As adopted, these seasons will provide for sustainable use of a renewable wildlife resource without adversely affecting the population growth."
Lovallo estimated that the state^s fall bobcat population to be between 5,000 and 6,000, and that it is growing at a rate of at least 4 to 6 percent annually. Between 60 and 100 bobcats are killed on Pennsylvania highways annually.
Lovallo said that the Commission is expecting a conservative harvest of up to 175 bobcats with the 290 permits that were awarded a public drawing on Sept. 8. Permits were mailed to successful applicants on Oct. 4. Hunters and trappers will be able to harvest bobcats in Furbearer Management Zones 2 and 3, which cover all or parts of 20 counties in northcentral and northeastern Pennsylvania.
The hunting season will run from Oct. 14, through Feb. 24, 2001. The trapping season will run from Oct. 15, through Feb. 24, 2001.
Uploaded: 10/14/2000
Uploaded: 10/14/2000