(Iowa DNR Sign - KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — The Iowa Natural Resources Commission has begun the process of expanding bobcat trapping opportunities across the entire state as the animal’s population continues to grow.
DNR Furbearer Biologist Vince Evelsizer says bobcats, which were eliminated from Iowa in the late 1800s and early 1900s, have made a strong comeback since returning in the 1990s.
Evelsizer says the population recovery initially took place in southern Iowa.
Under the proposed rule changes, trappers in newly opened counties would be limited to harvesting one bobcat per county, with a statewide season limit of three animals.
Evelsizer says the proposal follows several years of requests from hunters, trappers, and members of the public who have noticed increasing bobcat numbers.
He says bobcats are no longer limited to remote rural areas and are now being seen near larger population centers as well.
While bobcats occasionally prey on domestic poultry, Evelsizer says they have not created major problems for most landowners.
The DNR will take public comments on the proposal until Dec. 9th. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 29th at 1 p.m. at DNR offices on Park Avenue in Des Moines.
