Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 45

The pet carrier door was opened and the young cat got a first glimpse of her new surroundings. It was an environment free of human sounds and manmade materials. The cat, still groggy from the day’s ordeal, slowly regained the use of her legs and made some initial tentative steps. A few moments later the cat had some distance between her and a few observers, and then slowly dissolved into the woods. “Not all wildlife found in similar situations are candidates for rehabilitation, and young animals left vulnerable to predation, the elements and starvation don’t often make it, which is a hard fact of nature,” Wenner said. “Returning this apex predator to the wild was an unusual and successful operation made possible by efforts of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, the Game Commission, and a host of wildlife volunteers.” The handling of sick or injured wildlife is unlawful and poses serious health and safety concerns. If someone encounters sick or injured wildlife, he or she should contact the appropriate Game Commission region office. Bobcats are Pennsylvania’s only feline predator and inhabit wooded areas where they feed on a variety of small animals including mice, chipmunks, squirrels, birds and rabbits. They are highly secretive in nature and mostly nocturnal. “Bobcats are fascinating animals and they are an important component of Pennsylvania’s diverse wildlife community,” Wenner said. “They keep prey species populations in balance and also provide sportsmen with exciting hunting and trapping

opportunities.” Bobcats in Pennsylvania have gray-brown fur with dark spots and bars, which are especially noticeable on the legs. A ruff of fur extends out and downward from the ears. Bobcats are efficient predators, and equipped with sharp senses of sight, smell and hearing. They have four large canine teeth to pierce deeply into prey; behind the canines are sharp cutting teeth. Five retractable, hooked claws on each front foot and four on the rear, add to the cat’s arsenal. Although a bobcat is a fierce fighter, it isn’t a large animal. A mature bobcat averages 36 inches in length, which includes a stubby tail. This “bobbed” tail gives the cat its name. Adult bobcats weigh between 15 and 20 pounds; with large individuals weighing as much as 35 pounds. Some may live up to 15 years of age in the wild, and much longer in captivity. Because of their secretive nature, bobcats rarely interact with domestic pets or livestock. Bobcat kittens are born in early spring, with litter sizes ranging from one to four. Adult female bobcats guard their young carefully, as an adult male bobcat may try to kill and eat the young. This behavior makes the discovery of the kitten from Luzerne County highly unusual. In 2000, the Game Commission created a limited bobcat season. In Wildlife Management Units 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E the bobcat hunting season is open through February 5. Hunters and trappers must possess a furtaker license and a bobcat permit, and the

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES who require special assistance at Game Commission public functions should contact the telephone number listed with the announcement, the appropriate region office or the Harrisburg headquarters. Phone numbers for each region are listed in Game News; the Harrisburg number is 717-787-4250.

FEBRUARY 2013

45



Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013

Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013
Contents
Bob Mitchell Retires
Whitetail Predation
The Important Things I Learned at Camp
Weather Weenies
The Charade
The 7,658-Mile Deer
Late Season Rabbit
The Empty Seat
License Your Dog — It’s the Law
Redefining Success
A Miss in Time
Mixed Emotions
Field Notes
Conservation News
Off the Wire
Another View
The Naturalist’s Eye
Straight from the Bowstring
Fun Game
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Crossings
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Contents
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Bob Mitchell Retires
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Whitetail Predation
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - The Important Things I Learned at Camp
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 6
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Weather Weenies
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 9
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 10
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 12
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - The Charade
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 14
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 15
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - The 7,658-Mile Deer
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 18
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Late Season Rabbit
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 20
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - The Empty Seat
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 23
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 24
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - License Your Dog — It’s the Law
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 26
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Redefining Success
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 28
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 29
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - A Miss in Time
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 32
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Mixed Emotions
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Field Notes
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 38
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 40
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Conservation News
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 42
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 44
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 45
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 46
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Off the Wire
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Another View
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 50
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - The Naturalist’s Eye
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 54
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 55
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Straight from the Bowstring
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 57
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 58
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Fun Game
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Lock, Stock & Barrel
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 62
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - 63
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Crossings
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - BB1
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - BB2
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Game News - February 2013 - Cover4
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