Fish & Wildlife Rule Changes
Bobcat rule changes
The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) approved rule changes at its meeting on March 18, 2025, to allow the limited, regulated trapping of bobcats.
The approved changes in 312 IAC 9-3-18.1 set forth a bobcat trapping season in 40 counties in southern Indiana with a bag limit of one bobcat per trapper and a season quota of 250 bobcats. The trapping season will start on Nov. 8, 2025.
Changes include allowing bobcats and their legally acquired parts to be sold under 312 IAC 9-2-3. This includes their hides as well as other parts.
Changes in 312 IAC 9-3-9 allow bobcats that are found dead to be kept by people with a permit. Changes to 312 IAC 9-3-18.4 remove the additional requirements of documentation for bobcats because they will be legally harvestable in Indiana during the new bobcat trapping season.
Bobcats were also added to the list of species for which a game breeder’s license is required in 312 IAC 9-10-4.
Additional changes were also made to 312 IAC 9-10-12 governing the fur buyer’s license to clarify application requirements and remove requirements that bobcats be obtained from outside Indiana.
The public comment period for these rule changes ended Jan. 16, 2025, and the rule changes are now in effect. View more information about the bobcat trapping season.