For the first time since 1969, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is reopening the state’s bobcat trapping season, after Senate Bill 241 was signed into law in 2024 by then-Governor Eric Holcomb.

Why Indiana Is Reopening Bobcat Trapping Season

The Indiana DNR says the decision follows years of population recovery and research indicating that bobcats have rebounded strongly in Southern Indiana . Supporters of the decision say that a regulated harvest can help balance wildlife populations and reduce property damage caused by the growing bobcat population.

Advocates and Opponents React to the Decision

However, animal advocates are deeply concerned. Humane World for Animals argues that the trapping season could devastate bobcat populations, arguing that the Indiana DNR

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