new Cat Season...what's the beef?

[Hern]

What's your take on the new Bobcat season?

I will welcome the change.
Now Cats will be game for all and not a few.
Cats will be taken when they are prime, and that's the way it should be.
I know the 'guides' will be complaining, but hey, now everyone has a chance to harvest a Bobcat thru a shorter, regulated season.
What's your take?

[scott]

being that this year coming will be my 6th year of applying without a tag my opinion is they should leave it alone for one more year. lol.   seriously though, my concern would be over harvest.  not sure if we have the numbers to just open them up, maybe they should just issue more tags and maybe cut the year waiting period. 

one thing for sure, the guide hound guys are not happy. 

[PaCoyotenut]

 I'm all for it Hern. Try it this way for the year and then have the biologist adjust the season accordingly from the info gathered.

 It may need to be tweeked the following year. I think everyone would agree they do not want the Bobcat wiped out and all the hard work that went into the program go for nill. But I do like the idea that EVERYONE will now have a chance at one,atleast for one year that is.

  *PaCoyotenut*

[bigben]

I know the hound guys are against it.  the more I think on it I figure the biologist would not allow this to happen if the population couldn't sustain itself.  The only thing I don't like is the time frame it falls in.  those weekends are busy for me allready with the holidays.  take two sat out one for christmas and one for new years ya only have one left.  it will come down to taking time off if a caller is serious about actually harvesting one. 

[Lookn4Fur]

I also don't like the time frame. 

[turkeyhunter94]

OK LET ME GET THIS RIGHT YOU NO LONGER HAVE TO HAVE A PERMIT FOR CATS AND WHAT TIME ARE THEY SAYING YOU CAN HUNT THEM???

[predator77]

I'm all for it as long as it's not unlimited cats for a short period. 1 cat tag per furtaker license sounds good to me.

[shadowchaser]

That could be the reasoning behind setting it up in that time frame.  Sounds stupid but its an easy way to weed people out.  I like the idea and of course guides will complain because not only will they lose business, but alot of time and effort has been put into their dogs as well.  I read on HPa about even with dogs its hard to get a cat so odds are the harvest will be down.  Someone on HPA put up a letter they drafted and were sending in. I don't fully agree with much of it, but each person has a right to their opinion.

Just like anything though its being done to get more folks in the woods.  People will complain about license fee's, but what would happen if we lost public land or even the PGC?  Poachers are bad enough and SGL's are crowded.  I paid for a duck stamp this year just to support it.  With my military disability being 100% I can get my license and furtakers free, but I paid for it to do my part.  I originally joined PPHA and APF to help support them so that others have the chance to enjoy doing what they do. I am probably the worst predator hunter in Pa.  I have seen my fair share of fox/coyote, but have spooked them or missed all.  Oh well maybe next time.  I enjoy being able to be outside even if it is freezing cold.

[foxpro51]

I think one bobcat with a fur takers license is a good idea. Gives everyone a shot. I don't think it will effect the current population either. Hunting bobcats is a whole different ball game.

[bigben]

it is being proposed to start on dec 18th and go till jan 8th.  one cat with each furtakers if someone pays the extra tag fee. 

[uncle buck]

I'm for it.  Did you ever think that you could do a little grouse hunting and if you find sign then you can hunt the bobcat later on in the daytime..See things like this...Of course you get up there and you hunt grouse and you then go that evening for bobcat...Ah I carry Tylenol with me...Dang cramps in the legs...1 minute of ingesting the Tylenol and the pain is gone..


Sure there is going to be problems...Like a guy that buys his wife, and son and daughter a furtaker license and 4 cat tags but he might be the one filling them....However this is how life is....Greed...However on the other extreme every member of a family could hunt and trap and if this is the case then by all means they all deserve to get a cat.


$$$$$$$$disgust me too about the people who want the longer season and current lottery system...It sure is not to benefit the cat.. Hey they name streets after people in Pennsylvania like this?  ONEWAY.


No.....just having the seasons this time of the year will cut down on the harvest... Wow bad weather sets in and it's going to be hard to harvest them by trap and or calling...Some camps could get snowed in etc etc.


Why this even gives me a reason to get me a nice cabin someday?  let say up in Wyoming County.



There are many pro and con that are going to happen.  I know I am busy during that time of the year...I am just going to have to get unbusy.


Maybe we can sale some "Can't Hunt That Time Of The Year Bobcat Crying Towels?"

[uncle buck]

Now that the PGC meeting is over at Harrisburg is this going to happen?

[bigben]

it needs to be voted on in april.  once it is voted on we will know.   

[Crowmagnum]

Im all for it !!

[22hornet]

I can see this now!" Yes dear I have to hunt bobcats, season is only 4 weeks"." Yes I know it is Christmas eve, I will be home before the kids open presents". "Well you could start without me". Am I going to get into a whirl of $#!*. I VOTE FOR THE MONTH LONG BOBCAT SEASON.