DEC Adopts Bobcat Management Plan After Considering Public Comments

October 17, 2012 - After carefully considering more than 1,600 public comments and analyzing all information on New York’s current bobcat population, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) adopted a five-year bobcat management plan to maintain and enhance bobcat populations in New York state while providing for sustainable use and public enjoyment of the animal, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced. The final bobcat management plan, which is significantly revised from the draft plan, is now available on the DEC website.

Observation reports and analysis of harvest data have made it clear that bobcats have increased in abundance over the past several decades throughout upstate New York, although they are rarely seen in the wild due to their secretive behavior. DEC estimates New York’s bobcat population to be approximately 5,000 animals and growing, even in areas where regulated hunting and trapping seasons have been in place since the 1970s.

Public comments on the draft bobcat management plan were carefully reviewed by DEC, and based on the input received, DEC made extensive revisions to the plan, including:

* adding a more clear explanation of how DEC estimates population size, predicted harvest increases and impacts of additional harvest on population growth;

* clarifying that there is no intent to reduce bobcat populations anywhere in the state;

* reducing the emphasis on negative human-bobcat interactions because they are not a major concern or motivation for actions proposed in the plan.

The bobcat management plan and a summary of responses to public comments are available on DEC’s website.