Caught this big tom this morning bridger #2 dogless. Set started out as a James Lucuro dirthole but after a few coon and possums it a dirhole/compass set. Baited with Jameson bait solution and deer liver, deep creek coyote gland and fox frenzy. Had a heck of a time getting him out of the catch pole he would not let go of the loop.
J

Any type of open season for bobcat in IL?

Nice.


IL must have a pretty good bobcat population

Yes but its a joke, tags are drawn via a lottery system. Only 1000 tags given for the 2/3 of the state that is open to bobcat trapping. Any resident can apply, and by any I mean any. So every tree hugging bunny loving animal rights nut job can apply, and of course they arent going to use them. Seems like its usually 6-8000 people apply. My dad, brother, and myself have applied every year the season has been open and still havent drawn. My son has applied the last 2 years and hasnt drawn.

I can say we do in the southern part of the state. If this state wasnt run by left wingers maybe we could get a normal season for them instead of permit by lottery.

They should issue only to licensed trappers.

That pretty well sums it up. I have yet to draw a tag . Im in Brown county and we have a bunch here I get more trail cam picture of cats than coyotes
J

Illinideer I've noticed in your post you seem to catch several each year. How is y'all's game and fish set up? Are they a separate entity or managed and chosen by politicians? Seems to me y'all should have a normal season. At least one not tag controlled but maybe quota controlled.Many pine plantations in IL?

In my opinion it mostly political it a money maker for them with the lottery. During the month of September is when we apply it about 6 or 7 bucks and they average around 6000-7000 applicants. Then in October they draw, 1000 will get lucky but they only allow a quota of 375 cats to be harvested it was 350. Not sure what happens if your cat is 376 when you call in. Once you harvest a cat it another 5 or 6 buck for the federal cites tag. Whats sad I'm sure there are excellent cats getting tossed in the ditch like possums livestock farmers do not want them around just like coyotes.
If Illinois ever ends up with a feral hog infestation we are screwed if they manage it like they have our cats.
J

There already screwing up the feral hog problem before it starts. Used to be they were a non native, non game species and we could shoot them on sight year round no liscense needed. Now you can only shoot one during the shotgun deer seasons and only if you have an unfilled shotgun deer tag and then your only allowed to shoot one.

The president of the Illinois Trappers Assoc told me last summer that the DNR wants to increase the take for bobcats and otter. But that needs to be approved by the federal Fish and Wildlife department. The state and fed people meet only once every 3 years. They met 1-1/2 years ago. In reality it will probably be 2-1/2 more years before the quotas get changed. Now if the federal government moved into the 21st century, perhaps a proposition could be submitted by the Illinois DNR through the web and discussed with a live interactive discussion with the federal Fish and Wildlife department. Go To Meeting has been around for only about a decade. Bigger isn't always better.