Biologist: Bobcat hunting plentiful in Southern Illinois

<p class="p1">Southern Illinois will be a hot spot for the state's first bobcat season in decades, and the state will start taking applications for 500 hunting and trapping permits next month.

<p class="p1">"I would anticipate that the bulk of the harvest is going to come from Southern Illinois," Illinois Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Bob Bluett said.

<p class="p1">Bluett estimates the statewide population on bobcats to be between 3,000 and 5,000 animals, and a map provided by the state shows Illinois' southernmost counties are home to the best bobcat habitats.

<p class="p1">State lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner last year legalized a bobcat season, and the department's new rules govern how it will work.

<p class="p1">Starting Sept. 1, people who want a permit to hunt or trap a bobcat need to apply for a lottery for the 500 permits by Sept. 30. If not all 500 are claimed, they'll be sold after the lottery.

<p class="p1">The bobcat season starts in early November and runs through late January.

<p class="p1">A permit allows a person to take one bobcat, via hunting, trapping or collecting a roadkill cat.

<p class="p1">A conservation spokesman said there's been heavy interest in the permit<span class="s1">

</span> process. Apply online at www.dnr.illinois.gov starting Sept. 1; applicants must pay $5 up front.

<p class="p1">Another reason Southern Illinois could be prime territory for bobcat hunters is a large northeastern section of the state will be closed off to hunting at first, according to the rules.

<p class="p1">Bobcats were on Illinois' threatened species list until 1999. Allowing them to be hunted was a contentious political battle in Springfield in recent years.

<p class="p1">Rauner signed legislation creating a season a year ago. Former Gov. Pat Quinn had vetoed a similar plan.

<p class="p1">Backers argue bobcat populations are high enough to be regulated by a hunting and trapping season, while opponents say the population could be put at risk again.