New Hampshire Fish and Game Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Bobcat Season

If you live in New Hampshire and are a member of the hunting community or just appreciate wildlife, you are probably aware of the proposal to open up a hunting and trapping season for bobcats in this state for the first time since 1989, when bobcat hunting ceased due to population concerns. According to the NH Fish and Game (NHFG) website, the current bobcat population in 2014 was estimated at 1400 breeding adults.  In 2009, NHFG partnered with the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to conduct a five year study on the bobcat populations in New Hampshire. A status report was provided to the NHFG Commission in January, 2015 and shortly after that a proposal was initiated to allow a hunting and trapping season to begin in 2016. Dave and I attended the first of two public hearings on this proposal which was held at the State House in Concord. A second hearing will be held Tuesday, February 2nd in Lancaster.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Commissioners await the beginning of the hearing on a proposed bobcat hunting season

When we arrived, the opponents of the proposal were prevalent, passing out stickers and lanyards opposing the hunt.  By the start of the hearing, the House of Representatives Hall was full with dozens of people signed up to speak. At first it seemed like there were no supporters of the proposal, but eventually, hunters and trappers in favor presented their views. Although, in the minority, some points mentioned in favor of a hunting season were that it helps manage the population by providing valuable information to NHFG on the health of a species; the population has rebounded and can support a hunt; there are already enough predator species in the state; and it's the NHFG Commission's duty to support the hunting community.

I do not come from a family of hunters. My love and appreciation of wildlife was gained from the time spent outdoors as a child and seeing wildlife up close in the woods, a field or next to a pond. I believe that if wildlife are allowed the space that their species requires, most populations would thrive on their own, without human intervention. But that is not the case, as human populations have spread, so too have roads and the destruction of natural habitats to make room for houses, businesses and factories. In turn, animals have been hunted, not just for food, but for nuisance control, profit and plain sport. History has shown that without control, humans will hunt animals to extinction (don't forget the passenger pigeon or the great auk.) Not only have we lost entire species, but we are only beginning to learn the intricate connections that all wildlife have on the health of ecosystems as a whole and how disrupting one, can have cascading impacts on numerous species.

As far as the bobcat is concerned, the arguments given against the NHFG proposal, from elementary school children, to wildlife biologists with PhD's, many hunters themselves, were far more convincing than those in favor: The bobcat is still recovering in New Hampshire; they are not a nuisance to the general population; as a predator species, they will self-regulate their own population; and,  managing the season will cost an already financially strapped state agency over $10,000 annually. I hope that the Commission responds appropriately after considering all facts and opinions. If you would like to read further information on the hunting proposal, including how to submit comments go to http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/wildlife/bobcat-season-proposal.html.

The elusive bobcat spotted recently in our back yard.