It is very possible that people would shoot Bobcats as Mountain Lions. I got a really nice picture of a bobcat on my trail camera last winter. I have shown it to Many people and 95% of them, the first thing they say is WOW a mountain lion! Or, "and they say there are none of those in NY". I quickly point out to them that it is a picture of a bobcat and show the tail. I also say that there are many of them in NY as we can hunt them where I live and always could as long as I have been hunting this area. The Other 5% say "awe such a cute little kitty", then they often come back with "did I ever tell you about the mountain lion I saw?"