New rules proposed to protect bobcats

Division biologists say the number of bobcats in Utah is starting to rebound after bottoming out about a year ago. Credit: (Lynn Chamberlain)

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The number of bobcats in Utah may have bottomed out a year ago. But some trapping and hunting changes should help the small cats rebound.

Wildlife biologists are also recommending that seven new areas in Utah open to beaver trapping.

All of the Division of Wildlife Resources furbearer recommendations will be available online by July 12, 2010. The following are among the agency's proposals:

Beaver

Trappers would have more chances to trap beavers in Utah this season. Biologists want to close three areas to beaver trapping. But seven new areas would open.

Bobcat

Biologists say the number of bobcats in Utah may have reached their lowest point since the DWR started keeping bobcat records in 1983. To help the population rebound, they're recommending the following:

* Cap the number of bobcat trapping and hunting permits at 4,600.
* Limit each trapper and hunter to not more than three bobcat permits. (Last season, each trapper and hunter could have up to four permits. Each permit allows a trapper or hunter to take one bobcat.)
* Reduce the length of the season by one week. The season would start on Dec. 1, 2010. It would end about two months later, on Feb. 6, 2011.

"Several indications lead us to believe that the population is rebounding," says Justin Dolling, game mammals coordinator for the DWR, "but we'd rather be safe than sorry."

Dolling says bobcats prey mostly on rabbits, which are on a 10-year population cycle: every five years, their population bottoms out. Then the population builds again for the next five years.

"Rabbit populations are starting their upward climb again," he says. "That's good news for the state's bobcats."

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