Bobcats are definitely present in Indiana, marking a significant success story for the state’s wildlife. These native wild cats were once considered extirpated, having vanished from the state’s landscape by the early 1900s. The bobcat population has naturally rebounded, expanding its range into Indiana from neighboring states. Today, the species is established and is a regular, though elusive, component of the state’s ecosystem.
Current Status and Population Recovery
The bobcat’s recovery began with its re-detection in the 1970s, following its listing as an endangered species in 1969. This natural recolonization effort saw numbers steadily increase. By 2005, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) removed the bobcat from the state’s endangered list, designating it a species of special concern. Current data indicates that bobcats are common across southern and west-central Indiana, the regions with the highest concentration of suitable habitat. Sightings have been reported in almost every county, signaling a broad range expansion into central and northern parts of the state.
State biologists track population trends using public reports of sightings, photographs, and mortalities. Volunteer bow hunters also contribute valuable data through the annual Archer’s Index. This long-term monitoring confirms that the population is stable and expanding its distribution.
Identification and Preferred Habitats
Identifying a bobcat requires noticing several distinct physical characteristics, as they can be mistaken for a large house cat or a small coyote. An adult typically weighs 15 to 30 pounds and measures 30 to 50 inches in length. The most defining feature is their short, “bobbed” tail, which is usually less than six inches long and features a black stripe or tip. Their coat is reddish-brown or tan, often marked with light spotting that provides excellent camouflage. Other notable features include prominent tufts of fur on their cheeks and black bars on the inside of their front legs.
Bobcats favor forested areas mixed with brushy edges, clear-cuts, and scrublands that offer dense cover for hunting and denning. The highest density is found in the rugged, heavily forested terrain of southern and west-central Indiana, where there is less human development. These areas provide the cover and abundant prey necessary to support their large home ranges, which can span 30 to 75 square miles for a male. River and stream corridors are also important travel routes for dispersal throughout the state.
Legal Protections and Encounter Guidelines
Legal Protections
For decades, the bobcat was a fully protected species, but its legal status recently changed to reflect the successful population recovery. The state now manages the species with a limited, regulated trapping season in 40 counties, predominantly in the southern half of the state. This season, which began in late 2025, has an annual quota of 250 bobcats for the entire state. Each licensed trapper is restricted to a bag limit of one bobcat per season, and regulations allow only trapping, not hunting. This tightly controlled management aims to maintain a healthy population. Legal changes also permit the sale of legally acquired bobcat parts, such as hides, which requires mandatory registration and a CITES tag for tracking.
Encounter Guidelines
Bobcats are shy and rarely pose a threat to humans, but property owners can take simple steps to minimize conflict. Securing pets, especially at night, and removing attractants like outdoor pet food and bird feeders will discourage bobcats from lingering near homes. If a bobcat is sighted on private property, the standard advice is to leave it alone, as they typically move on quickly. Conflicts with livestock are uncommon, though bobcats have been known to prey on small domestic poultry. Landowners experiencing damage can contact the DNR for a nuisance wild animal control permit if removal is necessary.