Last evening I attended the public imput meeting on a Bobcat season in Indiana. This was the second meeting of 2, the first I wasn't able to attend because of my job. I understand that most everyone has a busy schedule and not much free time. All winter I've seen on this site and FB groups of trappers and deer hunters wanting a season and complaining that we need a season for Bobcats in Indiana. Last evening the sportsman and trapper were out numbered probably 7 or 8 to 1 from the opposition. 10 to 12 people were for the season, apparently thats all that could break away to attend.

Was your FBB there testifying?

Yes .. not testifying though. Made sure and told her you said hello.. lol..

That was my first public input meeting. It was a real eye opener. I think the anti crowd was there to save the possums and bobcat where a second thought. There was a woman there that said she would take all of them anyone wants to take her. Should have got her address.

Scott it was great to meet you. It was unbelievable the amount of support the opposition had there.

It was great to meet you.

Channel 13 was there and ran about a 30 second segment last night and about a minute this morning.They used a sound bite from the lady that started on the Yellow Wood controversy,then used part of my comments as a sound bite.It sounded like I was there in favor of the nuisance animal rule change.There was no mention of Bobcat season at all on the news story

Have you heard of any proposed dates IF we do get a season?

Sharpsman looked on channel 13 and couldn't find it on their page. That doesnt surprize me that they would do that. I like how when they were offered the tour of Greene County they got kind quite.
Harrison I believe now it goes to the committee for a desicion. There was a lot of opposition at this meeting and on the on line comment page. I can't believe all these sportsmen in Indiana can't come together to support each other. We needed more faces at these public input meetings. I guess people really don't care that much about a season.

Dennis get a hold of Tom and April Morelock for additional support...Indiana Trappers Assoc. is stronger than 2 trappers showing up.

It's not on their page.I watched as soon as I got home on Thursday and again on Friday at 6 am.Indiana State Trappers Association was there.

I know Tom and may call him. ISTA President Stu Grell was present as well as the ISTA Secretary. Stu made a great presentation. The local FTA Chapter was present as well. The thing that I can't beleive is the apathy from other sportsmen groups, and some of the trappers that don't do anything but complain. I think theres a good chance the opposition may come out with a win.
It was my understanding that at the first hearing the sportsmen were well represented.

The goal is for the fall of 2019.

For me I think it's to soon I trap in upper central part of Indiana and they're no bobcats there yet. If they put in a season now it would take much longer for them to reach my area and I would like to catch them too.

If you go on the DNR's Web site it explains that it will only be in select southern counties that have populations that can support it and it will be a limited quota

I understand that but if you start taking bobcats from where they are plentiful they won't need to venture out to new areas as fast because there will be less competition right where they are.

Same thing happened with turkeys , not that many in the center of Indiana still and before they could established a good turkey population in central Indiana they started the stupid fall turkey season.

I take it you trap in southern Indiana.

Or
You don't controlsomething and people have to deal with the nuisance because someone else out of the area hopes they get to trap one

Well that could be why there wasn't a big turn out to support a season on them ,really 2 reasons (1) most Indiana trappers won't benefit from a season (2) they are not a nuisance for most of Indiana .

It would be different if they were taking something away from trappers but they are not.

You have never had to deal with a local problem that outside people had a voice in I guess

If bobcats are that much of a nuisance why wasn't the place ful of hunters, trappers, livestock owners and land owners from southern Indiana?