NH Bobcat Hunting Approved

New Hampshire officials on Wednesday narrowly approved the return of bobcat hunting after a 25-year hiatus.

The state Fish and Game Commission green-lighted the proposal by a 5-4 vote. It would allow bobcat hunting in December and January—but only 50 hunting permits will be issued to residents through a lottery.

The proposal will now go to lawmakers for possible approval.

Supporters argued the bobcat population has recovered enough to allow for hunting; opponents said the plan is inhumane.

“As our bobcat population has increased and expanded, some New Hampshire residents have expressed an interest in hunting and/or trapping bobcats,” said NH Fish and Game Commission Chair Ted Tichy. ”Other residents have expressed an interest in seeing the bobcat population continue to grow. The conservative bobcat season being proposed for New Hampshire is designed to accommodate both of these interests and is consistent with the Department’s mission.”

Photo: docentjoyce via Flickr