8970948 total results

Report on the results of the 1994-1995 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of bobcat populations to allow for their continued harvest and the exportation of pelts.

Results of the 25th consecutive year of the bobcat survey in Michigan. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2004 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests. In 2004, about 13,600 furtakers pursued furbearers; an increase of 4% from 2003. About 33% of the license buyers trapped (6,923 trappers), 47% hunted (10,071 hunters) and 16% both trapped and hunted (3,356 furtakers) during 2004. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, coyotes, and muskrats. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. Harvest levels of most furbearers in 2004 were within historical ranges, except for coyotes. The number of coyotes taken by both hunters and trappers was the highest recorded since 1980. Trends in harvest are affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest that raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 23% of trappers used snares to catch coyote or fox, and about 6% of trappers attempted to catch beaver using snares in underwater sets.

A surveyswas completed to determine the number of people hunting and trapping bobcats in Michigan, the number of days spent afield (effort), and the number of bobcats registered. In 2005, 3,602 people obtained a bobcat harvest permit valid for the hunting and trapping seasons. About 74% of these permit-holders attempted to hunt or trap bobcats (2,677 furtakers), and 26% of these furtakers registered at least one bobcat. An estimated 1,802 people attempted to hunt bobcats. Hunters spent 20,374 days hunting and registered 340 bobcats. Nearly 1,177 people attempted to trap bobcats. Trappers spent nearly 26,884 days trapping and registered 528 bobcats.

Report on a systematic investigation into the various roles predatory mammals play and their values in Michigan.

Report of a survey of a sample furtakers contacted after the 2012 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

Report on the results of the 2001-2002 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of bobcat populations to allow for their continued harvest and the exportation of pelts.

Comments on the 1950-1951 kill by hunters and trappers of most species (not including pheasants and deer).

At the end of the 1996-97 fur harvester seasons, 977 license buyers were mailed a questionnaire asking for the results of their hunting and trapping efforts. Those who failed to respond to the original mailing were sent up to three reminders. A total of 775 questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 79 percent. The number of Fur Harvester licenses sold in 1996-97 increased 22 percent from 1995-96. An estimated 10,947 individuals (81%) hunted or trapped furbearing animals using one of the five license types. Approximately sixty percent of these individuals (6,575) used traps while sixty-four percent (7,061) hunted furbearers. Of those participating in the season, twenty four percent (2,689) both hunted and trapped furbearers. The majority of raccoon, coyote, and bobcat were taken by hunters, while trappers took a greater number of opossum, skunk, weasel, and fox. Trapping is the only legal means of take for mink, muskrat, beaver. otter, fisher, and badger. Based on days of effort, raccoon and muskrat were the primary targets of trappers, while hunters put their greatest effort toward the pursuit of raccoon and coyote. Harvests of coyote and bobcat by both hunters and trappers increased from 1994-95 to 1996-97. Coyote harvest increased four-fold for hunters and doubled for trappers during that period. Bobcat harvest increased by 6 percent for hunters and 10 percent for trappers during the same period. Dramatic changes in harvests from 1994-95 to 1996-97 also occurred for raccoon, opossum, and fox. Raccoon and opossum trapping harvest increased by 30 percent during that period, while red fox trapping harvest decreased by 36 percent. Red fox hunting harvest tripled and gray fox hunting harvest increased by 81 percent during that same period, while opossum hunting harvest decreased by 96 percent.

Report of a survey completed to determine the number of people hunting and trapping bobcats in Michigan, the number of days spent afield (effort), and the number of bobcats registered in 2009.

A survey of furtakers was conducted following the 2001 hunting and trapping seasons to determine the number of participants, days afield, and furbearer harvests.

Report on the results of the 1993-1994 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of bobcat populations to allow for their continued harvest and the exportation of pelts.

A survey was completed to determine the number of people hunting and trapping bobcats in Michigan, the number of days spent afield (effort), and the number of bobcats registered.

Pressure by concerned organizations and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has caused the Fish and Wildlife Service to compile comprehensive data on some furbearers. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of populations and to justify continued harvesting and exportation of pelts. During the winter of 1981-82, the Wildlife Division undertook collection of hunter and trapper harvested bobcats (Felis rufus) in order to increase knowledge of this species and to evaluate possible field techniques for sex and age determination. The sex ratio of the bobcats examined from Region I was 41:28, males to females. The young-of-the-year percentage was down slightly from last year, but the age groups 0 to 3 years again made up over 80% of the total animals harvested and submitted. The yearling age class was greatest in occurrence. The sex ratio of the bobcats examined from Region II was skewed heavily towards males (20:7). This is a much higher figure than has been reported before. Over forty percent of the animals were young-of-the-year, and nearly 75 percent were in the age classes 0-3 years.

Report on the results of the 1990-1991 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of bobcat populations to allow for their continued harvest and the exportation of pelts.

Report on the results of the 2002-2003 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats.

Report on the results of the 1998-1999 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2006 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests. In 2006, about 15,000 furtakers pursued furbearers; an increase of 14% from 2005. About 37% of the license buyers trapped (8,793 trappers), 43% hunted (10,183 hunters), and 16% (3,925) both trapped and hunted. Trapper numbers increased 26% and hunter numbers increased 9% between 2005 and 2006. Changes for days of effort by hunters and trappers between 2005 and 2006 generally followed changes in the number of furtakers. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, muskrats, and coyotes. Although participation and effort increased between 2005 and 2006 for most species, harvest increased only for raccoons and muskrats. Only harvest for otter declined significantly between 2005 and 2006. Harvest levels of all furbearers in 2006 were within historical ranges. Trends in harvest can be affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 92% of trappers that tried to catch coyote or fox used foothold traps. About 29% of coyote and fox trappers used snares in their attempts to catch coyote or fox. Overall, about 25% of active trappers and hunters were members of a furbearer hunting or trapping organization in 2006. If the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a voluntary trapper education course, nearly 50% of furtakers indicated that would be interested in participating.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires hunters and trappers to present all harvested bobcat (Felis rufus) for collection of biological data and sealing of pelts. This provides the DNR with an estimate of bobcat harvest, and biological data for use in assessing the bobcat population. The number of bobcats registered during the 2006-2007 season (850) was up slightly from the 2005-2006 season (817). The mandatory submission of bobcat teeth resulted in 784 useable samples for a compliance rate of 92.2% (784/850).

Report of a survey completed to determine the number of people hunting and trapping bobcats in Michigan, the number of days spent afield (effort), and the number of bobcats registered in 2012.

Reports on the results of the 1984-1985 Bobcat Survey. Pressure by concerned organizations and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has caused the Fish and Wildlife Service to compile comprehensive data on some furbearers. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of populations and to justify continued harvesting and exportation of pelts.