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 The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has admitted that their data on bobcat populations is outdated, relying on limited sightings and reports from hunters5.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.
- Matt Christy, Fox 59 (17 September 2024), "Proposed bobcat hunting season sets quota at 250 bobcats, limits trapping to 40 counties."
- Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle (18 September 2024), "Natural resource body readies bobcat, otter trapping rules."
- Kitty Block, Humane Society (26 September 2024), "Indiana bobcat trapping season."
- Sarah Bowman, IndyStar (17 January 2024), "Rules for new bobcat hunting or trapping seasons in Indiana to be finalized by next summer."
- Daily Journal (22 January 2024), "Indiana lawmakers renew push to permit bobcat hunting and trapping."
The Petition:
To the Director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources,
We, the undersigned, urge you to immediately halt the planned bobcat hunting and trapping season in Indiana. The bobcat, once endangered in our state, has only recently begun to recover after decades of concerted conservation efforts. Opening a hunting season now jeopardizes the fragile progress made in restoring this beautiful species to its rightful place in our environment.
While we understand the importance of balancing ecosystems, we strongly believe that compassion and humanity must guide our decisions regarding wildlife management. Bobcats are not merely numbers in a quota, but sentient beings that contribute to Indiana's biodiversity. Trapping, in particular, is a cruel method that causes unnecessary suffering, affecting not only bobcats but also non-target animals, including pets and endangered species. We call on the DNR to recognize the inherent value of life and to prioritize ethical, science-based management strategies that do not involve lethal measures.
By halting the bobcat hunting season, Indiana can demonstrate true leadership in conservation, ensuring a better future for both wildlife and human communities. Protecting our natural resources with integrity today will preserve the balance and beauty of our environment for generations to come.
We respectfully request that the DNR reconsider this plan and work toward a more humane approach to wildlife management.
Sincerely,
