Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page A13) *Adjusted for non-participants Season 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 Permits Issued 290 520 545 570 615 615 720 1,010 Bobcats Harvested 58 146 135 140 196 221 258 354 Success Rate* 22% 32% 28% 29% 35% 40% 42% TBD INCE THE FIRST MODERN-DAY BOBCAT SEASON in 2000, the Game Commission has conservatively expanded hunting and trapping opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Population monitoring indicates the state’s bobcat population is increasing and expanding throughout the state. As populations have increased, additional WMUs have been opened to bobcat hunting and trapping; WMU 4D has been added for the 200809 season. These expanded opportunities have increased hunter success rates and more uniformly distributed harvest pressure in areas of high bobcat density. The number of bobcat permits allocated in the annual drawing has increased steadily throughout the past eight seasons, and hunters and trappers who received bobcat permits have been very successful. During these seasons, trappers have taken approximately 80 percent of all the bobcats harvested. Hunters are having good success using predator calls and trained hounds. The success rate of hunters and trappers who spend at least one day in pursuit of bobcats has exceeded 40 percent during recent seasons. The agency expects this high success rate to continue as hunters and trappers become more proficient and the bobcat population continues to grow. During 2003, the Game Commission began awarding preference points to individuals who apply for but do not receive a bobcat harvest permit during a given season. The preference point sys- S tem is designed to incrementally increase the probability of an applicant receiving a permit over time. Applicants accumulate one point each year they are unsuccessful. Bobcat permits are awarded using a computer to randomly draw from the applicant database. An applicant’s name is added to the drawing an extra time for each point accumulated. The odds of being drawn increase significantly as points accrue. Applicants who receive a permit are prohibited from applying the following year and their preference points return to zero. Because the selection process is random, it was possible that a person could maintain maximum preference points yet never be drawn to receive a permit. After five years of awarding preference points, the agency has gained an understanding of reapplication rates and believes that guaranteeing permits to applicants with six preference points is a viable solution. During this year’s drawing, applicants with six preference points will automatically be awarded a permit. Analyses suggest that the agency can provide this benefit without negating the chance of a new applicant receiving a permit nor significantly reducing the odds of applicants with lesser preference point status. The designation of a maximum preference of six points will likely result in 150 to 350 permits guaranteed during a given year. For the latest information on the bobcat permit drawing, visit www.pgc.state.pa.us. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
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