miles
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 28
|
Post by miles on Jul 8, 2010 17:34:27 GMT -6
DWR recommends shorter season, cap on permits
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.
Division biologists say the number of bobcats in Utah is starting to rebound after bottoming out about a year ago.
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."
|
|
|
Post by SteveCraig on Jul 8, 2010 17:54:54 GMT -6
"Rabbit populations are starting their upward climb again," he says. "That's good news for the state's bobcats."
Yes it is, but i would be willing to bet you never get to see the quota ever rainsed back up again!
Once you lose it, it is gone for good it seems these days!
|
|
|
Post by coloradocat on Jul 8, 2010 20:48:25 GMT -6
Steve,
Actually, we will see in there long term analysis plan. That there quota should jump back up to 6 after this year. I know, its just hear say. This quota system is so flawed, it shouldnt even exist.
Limit fur harvesters to 3 cats. They are going to cull cats until they get what they want (mature toms). So how can you base your management plan off of only harvesting mature males. And not having a clue of what recruitment is other than hear say. Ive never cared for the thinking of this, and never will. Just means more cats getting tagged in Colorado once again.
|
|
|
Post by JWarren on Jul 8, 2010 20:56:44 GMT -6
Utah is a cat mecca among western states
|
|
|
Post by SteveCraig on Jul 8, 2010 22:57:55 GMT -6
Not according to their own DNR.
|
|
|
Post by ryanvo on Jul 9, 2010 16:49:53 GMT -6
more cats taged in WY also
|
|
|
Post by mostinterestingmanintheworld on Jul 9, 2010 16:54:03 GMT -6
I'd put Utah in the top 4 western states for bobcat habitat. If you went by landmass and took California out I'd put it in the top 3.
Yet they have these seasons and regulations. I just shake my head.
|
|
|
Post by bobwendt on Jul 9, 2010 16:57:00 GMT -6
and more tagging navajo res and other indian res.
|
|
|
Post by JWarren on Jul 13, 2010 19:23:20 GMT -6
you could get 100 cats in utah without breaking a sweat
|
|
miles
Tenderfoot...
Posts: 28
|
Post by miles on Jul 25, 2010 6:21:56 GMT -6
|
|