The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds licensed bobcat hunters and trappers to closely monitor the available harvest quota and their email during the season that began Nov. 8. The season remains open through Jan. 31, 2027, or until the quota of 400 bobcats is reached.
Hunters and trappers are responsible for knowing when the quota has been met, which is when the season automatically closes. They must cease hunting activities targeting bobcats and remove any traps set specifically for them at that time.
The current reported bobcat harvest can be checked at GoOutdoorsin.com/available-quota or by calling 317-232-4200. More than 100 bobcats were harvested as of Thursday, Nov. 12. Successful harvesters must register their bobcat within 24 hours so DNR can accurately monitor the total harvest throughout the season.
DNR will email license holders when 350 and 375 bobcats have been harvested to help make them aware of the potential for early season closure. When the quota has been met, all license holders will be emailed again, and the announcement will be shared across DNR communication channels.
There is no grace period for bobcat harvesting after season closure. Any trapped on the day of closure may be kept, but any bobcats caught afterwards must either be released or, if dead, turned in to DNR. Hunting activities must cease when the season closes.
Successful harvesters have until 15 days after the end of the month of harvest to take the bobcat pelt, separated from the carcass, to be sealed with a CITES tag. All bobcats must be tagged, regardless of whether they are being kept, tanned, or sold.
A list of furbearer tagging locations can be found at: https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/hunting-and-trapping/trapping/registration-stations.
To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.