Indiana Will Open Bobcat Season With New Quota
The state will allow hunting and trapping of up to 400 bobcats beginning November 8, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Hunting
Live Poll
Do you support increasing the bobcat hunting and trapping quotas in your area?
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has set a statewide harvest quota of 400 bobcats for the upcoming season, which runs from November 8, 2026, through January 31, 2027. This year, the state has expanded harvest opportunities to allow hunting in addition to traditional trapping.
Why it matters
Adjusting harvest quotas and methods allows state wildlife managers to balance conservation goals with recreational opportunities for licensed individuals. The seasonal cap ensures that population levels remain sustainable while managing the state furbearer population.
The statewide harvest quota is set at 400 animals, with each licensed individual restricted to one bobcat per season. The season will close early if the quota is reached before the January 31, 2027, end date.
The players
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
This state agency is responsible for the management and oversight of Indiana's natural and recreational resources.
The details
Harvesters must register their catch via the CheckIN Game system or by phone within 24 hours of harvest. Pelts must be presented to an official registration station for physical inspection and CITES tagging within 15 days following the month of the harvest.
Timeline
The hunting and trapping season begins November 8, 2026.
The season concludes on January 31, 2027.
Culture Shift
The expansion of harvest methods reflects a broader trend of integrating traditional trapping and modern hunting to manage wildlife populations effectively. This aligns with standard state-level conservation protocols established by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Licensed harvesters must ensure they use the CheckIN Game system within 24 hours of a successful harvest to remain in compliance. Participants should also plan ahead to visit a physical registration station within the required 15-day window for mandatory pelt inspection.
The takeaway
Effective wildlife management requires participants to strictly adhere to registration and tagging deadlines to ensure accurate data collection. Hunters should monitor the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website to see if the quota is met, which would trigger an early season closure.
Further reading
For more information on state outdoor activities, visit the Indiana Hunting section.
More information
View the complete Indiana furbearer registration station directory for local reporting locations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
Live Poll
Do you support increasing the bobcat hunting and trapping quotas in your area?
