(WWJ) Anyone who plans to hunt or trap bobcat in Michigan this season needs to act fast.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants the public to know that bobcat kill tags are only available for one more week, through Tuesday, October 24.
In addition to purchasing a fur harvester license, hunters and trappers who intend to harvest bobcat also need to get their two free bobcat kill tags, which are available at license agents, DNR customer service centers, online at eLicense or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. Two is the maximum per person.
The bobcat is one of 17 species of furbearers that may be harvested in Michigan, the DNR says. The term “furbearer” is used for species that historically have been harvested for their fur.
Along with the bobcat, furbearers found in Michigan include the badger, beaver, raccoon, fisher, marten, fox (red and gray), coyote, weasels (least, short-tailed/ermine, and long-tailed), mink, muskrat, otter, skunk and opossum.
The DNR says it monitors furbearer populations and regularly reviews regulations to ensure that these animals are managed to sustain populations, maintain recreational opportunities, and allow for mitigation of nuisance issues and damage control.
"Given the large number of furbearing species that can be hunted or trapped, there are many different types of furbearer-related recreational opportunities throughout the state," the DNR stated, in this year's furbearer harvest regulations summary. "Fur harvesting has played an important role in the lives of many Michigan residents since long before statehood and has continued to the present day."
Anyone who harvests a bobcat must immediately validate the and attach the kill tag, and present the animal at a DNR registration station for registration.
For more detailed registration information and bobcat harvest regulations — including season dates — see the 2023 Furbearer Harvest Regulations Summary.