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Show Bobcat trapping season to open By John C. Dickerson Utah Div. of Wildlife Res. The bobcat trapping season opens Dec. 13 and there are a number of additions and changes in the regulations that trappers should note. A trapping license, in addition to the bobcat permit, is required. Don't forget the trapping license expires at the end of the year, so if you haven't caught your cats by then you'll need to buy a new license. You do not need a trapping license if you shoot or take bobcats with dogs in these cases you must have the permit and a small game or combination com-bination license. As is the case with other animals that have a tag involved, bobcats must be tagged with a possession tag before being transported. If you are trapping for another species and accidentally catch a bobcat, it must be released unharmed or a Division officer must be contacted for written permission to take the cat out of the trap. These animals must then be turned over to the state. During the season or no later than Feb. 4, bobcat hides must be delivered to one of our offices or officers for fixing of a permanent metal tag, removal of the possession tag and the tagged lower jaw must be turned over to us for aging data. As in previous years, all traps must be marked with the name and address of the trapper and traps must be checked every 48 hours. This latter regulation is for humane purposes and does away with animals being left in traps for a week or longer before the trapper checks his line. These are just a few highlights covering some of our trapping regulations and if you intend to do any kind of trapping, you should first pick up a proclamation and become thoroughly familiar with it. |