Bobcat

Bobcat

• Immediately upon dispatching a bobcat, the pelt tag must be validated and attached. Validate the tag by slitting the month and date of kill on the tag. Attach the validated pelt tag to the carcass using wire or other similar attachment device and passing it through the animal’s mouth to eye opening, just beneath the skin.
• You must register your harvest with the DNR by 5 p.m. the day after recovery by visiting the website or by calling 844-GAME-REG (844-426-3734) AND you must present your bobcat to an authorized DNR representative for certification no later than seven days after the month of harvest. The bobcat pelt must be separated from the carcass at the time of certification.
• Persons who intend to have a bobcat mounted by a taxidermist may present the bobcat to the department for certification in whole carcass condition without separating the pelt, but shall surrender any part of the bobcat carcass required by the department within 30 days after certification. A bobcat must have a CITES tag sealed to the pelt prior to being transferred to a taxidermist.
• The certification seal must remain attached to the pelt until removed by a fur dresser or taxidermist at time of preparation.
• It is illegal to transfer, give, trade, sell or purchase any bobcat pelt unless it bears a DNR carcass tag and certification seal attached by an authorized DNR representative.
• The bobcat lower jaws from the first period will be retained by the DNR for research purposes. Lower jaws are used to determine age and sex ratios at harvest, which aid in establishing harvest quotas. See the 2025 Trapping Regulations for more information.
• Hunters and trappers must submit a portion of a harvested bobcat’s lower jaw but may retain the top portion of the bobcat skull. Full skulls sent to the DNR will not be returned.
• Night hunting for bobcats is prohibited.

Bobcat Collection for the 2025-26 Season

This year the department will only be collecting lower jaws of bobcats harvested during the first time period. No jaws or carcasses will be collected from bobcat harvested during the second time period.