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Stop Indiana’s Heartless Plan to Slaughter Its Only Native Wildcat
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Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
Indiana’s bobcats are at risk of suffering and death for sport—unless we act now to stop a reckless hunt that could wipe out decades of conservation efforts.
Indiana’s bobcat population is facing a dire threat. After years of recovery from near-extinction, the state is planning to open its first bobcat hunting and trapping season in decades. This decision will allow up to 250 of these elusive and once-endangered wildcats to be trapped and killed in southern Indiana1.
This move not only risks reversing years of conservation progress but also raises serious ethical concerns. Animal rights groups and conservationists have voiced outrage at the plan, arguing that there isn’t enough scientific data to support it2. The methods proposed for trapping bobcats—foothold and cable traps—are cruel, leaving animals to suffer for extended periods before being killed. Worse, these traps can harm non-target animals, including household pets and endangered species3.
Why Should We Stop This?
Bobcats are Indiana’s only native wildcat. They were removed from the state’s endangered species list in 2005 after careful efforts to protect and restore their population4. Yet, even with these protections lifted, their numbers remain fragile. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has admitted that their data on bobcat populations is outdated, relying on limited sightings and reports from hunters5. Without a comprehensive population survey, there is no solid scientific justification for allowing a hunting season.
Critics of the hunting season point to the potential consequences: disrupting the balance of our ecosystems and undoing decades of careful conservation. Hunting proponents claim the bobcat population threatens small game like rabbits and turkeys, but research does not support these claims1. Rather, it shows that bobcats play a key role in controlling rodent populations, helping maintain balance in the natural world.
Trapping: A Cruel and Inhumane Practice
The proposed methods for capturing bobcats are nothing short of inhumane. Foothold traps and cable snares are notorious for the prolonged suffering they cause. These devices don’t discriminate. Pets, endangered species, and other non-target animals can all become victims3.
Animal rights advocates and ethical hunters alike have raised serious concerns about these cruel methods. The Indiana Humane Society has called for a zero-quota hunting season, urging the DNR to use its discretion to protect the state’s wildlife rather than catering to a small group of recreational trappers2.
Public Outcry Can Make a Difference
Indiana’s wildlife belongs to all of us, and the majority of Hoosiers are opposed to this season. In 2018, public pressure forced the DNR to abandon a similar proposal4. This time, your voice can once again be the difference. The DNR is required to listen to public opinion before making its final decision, and the time to act is now.
Bobcats are an important part of Indiana’s natural heritage. Allowing their population to be threatened for the sake of a few hunters is shortsighted and unnecessary. We can and must protect these animals.
Act Now to Stop the Bobcat Hunt
You have the power to make a change. By signing the petition below, you’ll be joining thousands of others in calling on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to halt this reckless plan. Let’s protect Indiana’s wildlife and ensure a future where our state’s only wildcat continues to thrive.
Sign the petition now to stop the bobcat hunting season and stand up for wildlife.