Report Nr. 2948 Bobcat Survey - 1982-1983

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 1982-83, the Wildlife Division collected bobcats (Felis rufus) from hunters and trappers to increase the 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 100:82 (33:27), males to females. The percentage of young-of-the-year submitted was down for the second year in a row. falling from 40% in 1980-81, to 35% in 1981-82, and to 30% in 1982-83. The age groups 0 to 3 years for the third year in a row made up nearly 80% of the total animals submitted. The sex ratio of bobcats examined from Region II was moderately skewed toward males: 100:65 (20:13). This was fairly consistent with the previously mentioned studies, but was considerably less than last year's ratio 100:35 (20 males:7 females). Only 18% of the animals were young-of-the-year, with age groups 1 to 6 years being nearly equally represented in the sample (9-15%).