Are bobcat sightings supposed to be reported? F&W Non-game granola crunchers won’t be satisfied til bobcats are thriving in all 21 counties again.

[Bonefreak]

I remember hearing that the Division was interested in reporting bobcat sightings…& there’s some chatter that they don’t want the sightings reported now so they are not taken off the threatened species list. And it’s a general “feel good” feeling that non game nimnoys won’t be happy til bobcats are patrolling statewide again. It’s pretty obvious turkeys are a “threatened” species in north jersey…& before the threats keep moving south ….fish n game needs to get their heads out of the sand & open up bobcats for a season…& a year round season on nest raiders and foxes/yotes

 btw….this is a pretty good representation of a granola crunchin’ nimnoy…

Edited May 8 by Bonefreak

[kohunter]

Taste like chicken!

[Bonefreak]

Why would they continue to issue a full quota of north jersey turkey permits if the birds are rare up there?

[BHC]

I believe they ask for a sighting report, but I have reported it a few times including this past October with no follow up, so no more reporting from me

They sure do impact the turkey populations up here, and their numbers are growing every year

[kohunter]

11 minutes ago, Bonefreak said:

Why would they continue to issue a full quota of north jersey turkey permits if the birds are rare up there?

Maybe the same reason you can shoot unlimited does on WMA'S that have few deer?

[Bucksnbows]

Your culprit here in NJ is The Nature Conservancy. They are behind keeping bobcats on the endangered list because they feel it is a key indicator species for other rare animals. They have a seat on the Council (threatened and non game seat), and they have the political connections to overcome our pitiful 1% who can never come together to get meaningful change like recognizing bobcats are all over. 
 

That said, bobcats aren’t the sole reason turkey numbers are down. The entire nation is seeing spotty areas where turkey numbers are inexplicably low. My buddies own two adjacent farms in Otsego County, NY. I’ve never seen so many bobcats, but I’ve also never seen so many turkeys. 

[Swamprat]

More bobcats than ever.

More coyotes than ever. 

More falcons, eagles and hawks than ever.

30-50% of habitat loss in the last 20-30 years due to home/business development. 

If you ain't a predator...it's sucks to be you. Lol. 

 

[Bucksnbows]

2 hours ago, BHC said:

I believe they ask for a sighting report, but I have reported it a few times including this past October with no follow up, so no more reporting from me

They sure do impact the turkey populations up here, and their numbers are growing every year

What follow up do you need out of curiosity?  Just that they recognize that you sent in a report?  I’ve sent in maybe hundreds over the years and never got any replies, but I’ve seen the updated database that shows my reports around things like wood turtles, red shouldered hawks and the like. 
 

The reality is that hunters see or catch these “rare” animals more than any other segment of society and yet we are the worst at reporting them and then we complain because “the state does nothing about it”. 

[mazzgolf]

Where do you report them? I don't see bobcat on the list: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e016dec1d4944495b6e99212d8ad34a4

[BHC]

1 minute ago, Bucksnbows said:

What follow up do you need out of curiosity?  Just that they recognize that you sent in a report?  I’ve sent in maybe hundreds over the years and never got any replies, but I’ve seen the updated database that shows my reports around things like wood turtles, red shouldered hawks and the like. 
 

The reality is that hunters see or catch these “rare” animals more than any other segment of society and yet we are the worst at reporting them and then we complain because “the state does nothing about it”. 

 

1 minute ago, Bucksnbows said:

What follow up do you need out of curiosity?  Just that they recognize that you sent in a report?  I’ve sent in maybe hundreds over the years and never got any replies, but I’ve seen the updated database that shows my reports around things like wood turtles, red shouldered hawks and the like. 
 

The reality is that hunters see or catch these “rare” animals more than any other segment of society and yet we are the worst at reporting them and then we complain because “the state does nothing about it”. 

I remember filling out a report form and thought I read fish & game will contact you

[Jim_]

25 minutes ago, mazzgolf said:

Where do you report them? I don't see bobcat on the list: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e016dec1d4944495b6e99212d8ad34a4

NJ Wildlife Tracker

[Greybeard]

Someone reported a bobcat in the cemetery by me and now they are having a hard time getting the permits to expand because of the rare species sighting out in their open field.  Think about where you report you saw one.

[chenrossi]

2 hours ago, Bucksnbows said:

Your culprit here in NJ is The Nature Conservancy. They are behind keeping bobcats on the endangered list because they feel it is a key indicator species for other rare animals. They have a seat on the Council (threatened and non game seat), and they have the political connections to overcome our pitiful 1% who can never come together to get meaningful change like recognizing bobcats are all over. 
 

That said, bobcats aren’t the sole reason turkey numbers are down. The entire nation is seeing spotty areas where turkey numbers are inexplicably low. My buddies own two adjacent farms in Otsego County, NY. I’ve never seen so many bobcats, but I’ve also never seen so many turkeys. 

Isn’t it ironic that their indicator for other T&E species are bobcats and their indicator for forest health is….wait for it….turkeys. 

[mike033089]

I don’t believe nj has the slightest clue on populations of any animal. A 2009 article in the nj herald put Sussex county’s population of bobcats around 90.  The next day a guy at work had 3 together on his trail camera near newton.  I highly doubt with only 90 in the whole county he got 3 in one picture.  

[Russ 11]

1 hour ago, mike033089 said:

I don’t believe nj has the slightest clue on populations of any animal. A 2009 article in the nj herald put Sussex county’s population of bobcats around 90.  The next day a guy at work had 3 together on his trail camera near newton.  I highly doubt with only 90 in the whole county he got 3 in one picture.  

90 my ass