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Should he grow up to...

Go through this
 so some trapper can profit?

Most people are humane. They don’t know the extent of trapping and resulting wildlife suffering in our state. Here are the facts and some suggestions for action.
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Please note further  information about bobcat young
 

  • Nevada bobcats are solely and relentlessly trapped for their pelts.

  • There is no quota on number of bobcats that can be slain Some trappers have killed over 100 cats during a trapping season.

  • A trap IS NOT SELECTIVE, AND does not distinguish BETWEEN BOBCATS AND OTHER NON-TARGET SPECIES.

  • Entire bobcat families are wiped out. Young of the year are taken along with adults.

  • Female bobcats raise their young alone. They cannot regurgitate food for kittens. They drag/carry prey items to the young, making the rearing of kittens a lonesome, labor-intensive job.

  • Average pelt prices in 2006-07 were $217 apiece. In 07-08 they were $485 each.

  • High pelt prices make the bobcat a “commercialized species.” Trappers benefit from the wildlife that belongs to all of us, with the full support of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

  • Don’t buy fur!!!!! Boycott fur sales!!!!!

  • Bobcat reproduction in the past two years has been poor.

  • The Wildlife Commission meeting in Lovelock Saturday June 27 authorized a shorter trapping season. Minutes of Wildlife Commission Meeting. RGJ article by Martin Griffith, AP. This is probably not an adequate solution to the problem, and still leaves bobcats at risk of agonizing traps.

  • THE TRAPPING SEASON SHOULD BE CLOSED, OR, AT A MINIMUM, QUOTAS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.

  • On June 27, 2009, the Wildlife Commission did decide to monitor bobcat status annually instead of every two years. See all details: RGJ article by Martin Griffith of AP. Wildlife Commission Meeting Minutes.

  • THE BOARD OF WILDLIFE COMMISSIONERS AND THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVING, PROTECTING AND ENHANCING THE WILDLIFE OF THIS STATE WHICH REPRESENTS A VALUABLE PUBLIC RESOURCE WHICH BELONGS TO ALL OF US. But it will take civic action to create change.


Further Information about Bobcats

1-Technically trappers don't kill kittens, by the time the season comes around they are fully functioning adults operating independently. Young of the year is a more approriate term than kitten.
 
2-Kittens are not orphaned by trapping activities.
 
3-Bobcats don't operate as families. The tom breeds and moves on, however they are known to come back and kill their own kittens in order to bring the female back into season. Cannibalism isn't uncommon. This has been documented with lions and other cats as well. 
 
4-As far as kittens being doomed, again the kittens are raised by the time the season opens so if the female is taken the kittens aren't doomed.

5-The picture you have of the small kitten is not representative of the animals that trappers harvest. That picture was probably taken in April or May, by November it would be 4-5 times that size and able to function on it's own.

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Contacts:
1. Dr. Gerald A. Lent, Chairman
Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners
1100 Valley Road Reno, Nevada 89512
Phone: (775) 688-1500
Fax: (775) 688-1207

You can contact Dr. Lent and/or any Commissioners at above address or phone. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has a user friendly website. From there you can contact Commissioners and staff personnel.

2. TrailSafe for any questions: Email TrailSafe Get involved!