Leave bobcats alone

Bobcats are predators native to Pennsylvania that pose no danger to people, are not a threat to farm animals and help keep a check on rodent populations.

Protected by law from trappers for 30 years, their population has been on the rebound. Yet, few people ever see these elusive carnivores in their natural habitat because they shy away from people.

We have to wonder why the Pennsylvania Game Commission has decided to allow trappers to hunt them again.

The state did not track the bobcat population in 1970, but commission members voted then to protect them from all hunting and trapping because it appeared few were left.

Since 1985, the Game Commission has been trying to get a handle on the bobcat population in the state. The study determined that between 3,000 and 3,500 adult bobcats are in the wilds of Pennsylvania, with most concentrated in brushy forests on ridges. When kittens are born in June and July, that population will likely shoot up to 5,000 to 6,000.

In April, the Game Commission will take final action on a proposal to issue 290 permits this year to trap bobcats in the north-central and northeastern regions of the state. The commission expects trappers to capture about 175 of the wild cats.

We see no reason for the commission to approve this. There is no evidence that there are too many bobcats or that they cause any trouble.

The reason hunters give is unacceptable: "Trappers have wanted this for quite some time. It is quite a treat to be able to take a cat in Pennsylvania since it has been so long since we could," according to Rod Zullinger of the Pennsylvania Trappers Association.

Despite their aversion to people, bobcats already are victimized. Cars kill about 100 a year, and trappers seeking foxes and coyotes also unintentionally trap and release about 300 bobcats annually.

According to a Game Commission spokesman, once bobcat trapping is legal again, trappers will likely have bobcat pelts tanned or the animals mounted as trophies. On the free market the pelts are only worth $15 or so.

We have a better idea. Let the bobcats live to increase the likelihood that more Pennsylvanians will have a chance to see one in its natural habitat.

This may deprive some trappers of a trophy for their den, but it will help the bobcat population thrive.

Which is more important?

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