Bobcat Trapping Season
The bobcat trapping season is from Nov. 8 until Jan. 31 or until the season quota is met. The season bag limit is one per trapper. The season quota is 250 bobcats. If the quota is reached before Jan. 31, the season will close early.
To target bobcats, trappers must possess a resident or nonresident Indiana bobcat license, a lifetime trapping license, or a resident youth hunting and trapping combo license. A valid trapping license is required to set traps for any species in Indiana, including bobcats. The bobcat season is for trapping only; no hunting is allowed.
If you are not in an open county or have already met your bag limit, visit the trapping page for guidance on releasing a bobcat from a trap.
CITES is the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species. Bobcats are a look-alike for endangered lynx, so are required to be CITES tagged by federal law and international treaties. A CITES tag is also required by state rule, as well as being necessary to transport legally harvested bobcats across state lines to tan or sell them.
Trappers should call furbearer registration stations in advance to ensure staff availability. For help finding the options nearest to you, call the furbearer tagging hotline at 812-353-8282.
- Authorized furbearer check stations COMING SOON