Hunters and trappers took a preliminary total of 141 bobcats during the 2016-17 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Season, but none in the local counties of Mercer, Rock Island, Warren, Henderson and Knox. More than 6,400 people applied for 500 permits to take bobcats. Those awarded a permit in the lottery were required to register their harvest within 48 hours and purchase a Bobcat Pelt Temporary Permit. They reported taking 69 bobcats by hunting, 49 by trapping, 12 by archery, and salvaging 11 from roads. Bobcats were harvested in 44 counties. Top counties were Pike (11), Jackson (10), Jefferson (7), Carroll (6), and Randolph (6). The 2016-17 season for hunting bobcats with bow or gun was conducted November 10th, 2016 through January 31st, 2017 (closed during Firearm Deer Season), while permitted trappers were able to take bobcats Nov. 5th, 2016 through Jan. 20th, 2017 in the northern zone and Nov. 10th, 2016 through Jan. 25th, 2017 in the southern zone.
