(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana's Natural Resources Commission is opening public comment on a wide-ranging set of proposed hunting and wildlife rule changes, including a major expansion of the state's bobcat harvest season.
The proposal would allow bobcat hunting in addition to trapping, while increasing the statewide quota from 250 to 400 animals across 40 counties with high-quality habitat. The season would run from November 8 through January 31, or until the quota is reached. State officials say the goal is to reduce negative interactions while maintaining a healthy bobcat population.
The larger wildlife rule package also proposes changes to deer rifles and muzzleloaders, antlerless bag limits in Fayette and Franklin counties, frog gigging methods, and removing Kirtland's warbler from Indiana's endangered species list.
The first public comment period runs through May 19, with hearings that day at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The bobcat hearing begins at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, followed by the broader wildlife rules hearing at 3 p.m.. Comments can be submitted online through the NRC rulemaking docket or by mail.