The California Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering two options in regards to bobcat trapping;

Option 1) A partial ban with closed area.

Option 2) A statewide ban.

Currently it is legal to trap bobcat, shoot them in the head and sell the furs, generally to China and Russia for fashion. The state allows up to 14,400 cats to be killed annually although there are generally less than 100 people trapping each year. All wildlife is under stress from climate change and loss of habitat. New generation rodenticides affect cats who eat poisoned rodents and they then develop mange and other diseases. Over 95% of cats in the Santa Monica Mountains show traces of these poisons.

State law requires that the beneficiaries of any program (in this case the trappers) bear the cost of the program. It appears that the Department has underestimated the costs and if they go ahead with their preferred option the enforcement costs of a patchwork of open and closed areas will be even greater as well as  simply shifting trapping into smaller areas with possible extirpation of the animals in these areas areas.

The best option is to outlaw an outdated, antiquated practice that benefits very few people and allow these animals to simply continue their lives unmolested.

CFWC is taking comment until July 23. The best option is to write a short letter telling them to adopt Option 2. More information and talking points are available at this website.

http://sierramountaincenter.com/bobcats.html

You can be like the Lorax and speak for those with no voice. Just let the animals be.