Bobcats in the Midwest

kshunter · 01-07-2003, 04:54 PM

When I was younger, I never seen many bobcats. But as the year went by I kept seeing more and more every year. And now there are quite a few of them around. I usually see colse to a half dozen every bowseason that walk by my stand. Is the increase of bobcats over the past few years a thing of the midwest(in your area), or just in my neck of the woods?
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mboettcher · 01-08-2003, 07:30 AM

I live in northern wisconsin and up until last year i had never seen one. I seen two last year while bowhunting and one this year, and two weeks ago i hit one with my car.

Bucky10 · 01-08-2003, 01:20 PM

I live in Southern Illinois and we also see bobcats very regularly, almost too regularly. There have also been some black panther sitings and not too long ago we had a mountain lion hit by a train. So yes I think they are becoming more plentiful.

hc4runner · 01-09-2003, 08:07 PM

I see them quiet often here in MO. I live about 5 miles from the Mississippi river and there are quiet a few of them on the river bottoms. I have also seen a few of them in S. Illinois.

HOSS · 01-12-2003, 04:26 PM

my cousin saw one in so. Ill last week end they say as the ecosystem becomes more healthy they will expand thier range so i guess it's a good sign unless one is stalking you while your trying to call turkeys

Bucky10 · 01-20-2003, 04:00 PM

You know I would say I feel safe from bobcats with a gun in my hand but those things will hit you before you know what in the hell is going on.

SW Iowa Hunter · 01-27-2003, 01:20 PM

Here in SW Iowa we are seeing an increase in both bobcats and mountain lions. I have never saw one personally but there has been a number hit on the roads and also a number of sightings. Curious how they seem to be showing up all of a sudden. I have been told that they released a number of them in the Loess Hills area which is where I live to help control the deer and turkey populations.

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25lieb · 01-27-2003, 09:36 PM

I live in NW IL and go to school in Iowa, and heard on an outdoors radio show that the iowa DNR expects to have bobcats in every county in iowa in the next few years. I have seen one bobcat while hunting about 5 years ago, i didnt know what it was at first but it was cool to see one, i hope they make a comeback around my area.

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Bucky10 · 01-29-2003, 02:26 PM

I kind of want them to make a comeback I just don't want attacks to start up im my area.

wernerjd · 02-01-2003, 12:58 PM

There has been a couple in the La Porte/Dysart area the last month. I guess there was on traped over by Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My room mate here at school received a letter to help track bobcat. He lives near Albia Iowa. The DNR just wanted to radio tag then and keep records. Also while out deer hunting first season we had found a moutain lion just north of Mashalltown about 20 miles. We contacted the DNR and he said that there are about five of them in the area.