Bobcats Thriving In Panhandle Counties No Limit On Number Of Cats Killed During Season

Despite loss of habitat to development and deforestation in Kootenai County, the population of bobcats in the Idaho Panhandle is thriving.

Since the beginning of this year’s bobcat season, Idaho Fish and Game Department officials have put tags on 113 bobcat pelts in the Panhandle. Bobcats must be tagged at the Fish and Game office in Coeur d’Alene by Thursday. Many more tags are expected to be issued before then, said Judy McKenna, a Fish and Game representative.

The bobcats are caught and killed by licensed hunters and trappers during a two-month season, then tagged by officials, who keep track of populations.

The hunters and trappers sell the pelts to clothing manufacturers. Although fur prices are low this year, a pelt of good size and color can bring in about $100.

Unlike the Canada lynx, the bobcat is not a threatened animal, said Wayne Melquiste, Idaho state non-game wildlife manager. In fact, “thousands and thousands” of bobcats live in Idaho.

Kootenai County doesn’t have as large a bobcat population as other forested northern counties such as Benewah and Boundary do, said Doyle Reynolds, trapper and Fish and Game conservation officer.

But Reynolds said the numbers seem to be the highest in 20 years.

Bobcats are hunted with dogs or caught in traps near ridge lines in wooded areas.

The state sets no limit on the number of bobcats killed between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31. Tags cost $3 for the first bobcat and $2 for each additional fur.

Last season, the Panhandle led the state with 23 percent of tagged bobcats, or 215 of Idaho’s 929 bobcats, according to the wildlife agency in Boise.

The state’s bobcat season has existed for more than 40 years, Melquiste said.

Bobcat furs must have the state-issued tags to comply with international guidelines on endangered species before the furs are bought and sold, said Melquiste. The tags, which distinguish the pelts from those of threatened animals such as the Canada lynx, authorize exporting the furs outside the country.

Bobcats are twice as large as domesticated cats, said McKenna. Bobats in North Idaho are a deep gray or white with black spots. Other characteristics include black hair tufts, pointed ears, a deep jaw and prominent eyes.

The bobcat hunting and trapping season is necessary to keep the population under control, said Dave Morelli, a hunter and trapper for more than 25 years.

“Just like any other animal, these bobcats are predators,” Morelli said. “If their populations are unchecked, they overpopulate the food supply. The food supply gets burned out. Then Mother Nature has to take control, and Mother Nature is crueler than hunters.”

After years of experience, Reynolds has specific sites where he places his traps. If he sees rabbit prints, Reynolds knows a bobcat will be nearby soon.

This season, Reynolds trapped seven bobcats in Kootenai and Shoshone counties. He is combining this year’s catch with the half-dozen cats he caught last year. Reynolds hopes to sell his bobcat pelts at a fur sale in Athol, Idaho, on Saturday.

While hunters and trappers wait for fur prices to rise with the next fashion trend, low prices won’t stop them any time soon.

“Trappers trap no matter what the market’s like,” said Morelli, who added he wouldn’t be able to live off of a trapper’s wage.