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Post by greghopper on Jan 19, 2024 17:06:58 GMT -5
From Indiana Wildlife Federation ……
* A bill of the highest concern to our members is SB 241 "Taking of Bobcats." As noted above, IWF has taken a neutral stance on this bill. Wildlife management, as dictated by the best available science, is vital for managing healthy wildlife populations in our state, while promoting recreation opportunities for sportsmen and women. Senate Bill 241 mandates the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to implement a season “to take bobcats not later than July 1 of 2025.” While the Indiana Wildlife Federation would rather see these decisions be made by the DNR, we would support a sustainable bobcat harvest if the data suggests it warranted.
We urge the state legislature to empower the DNR to manage all wildlife populations. Allowing the DNR to utilize their scientific expertise and adapt to changing conditions will ensure both bobcat sustainability and robust public involvement. Previously, IWF has opposed bobcat harvest due to a lack of rigorous science to justify a season. Since 2019 wildlife biologists in the state have gathered population data and if they have the data to suggest that the bobcat population in Indiana is large enough to allow for a scientifically managed harvest IWF will support it. We urge the DNR to deploy a conservative model, like how they have managed other species in our state, ensuring the long-term viability of bobcats throughout Indiana for all Hoosiers to enjoy. A bobcat harvest offers a welcome opportunity for responsible wildlife management. However, let's learn from this experience and empower our DNR to make wildlife management decisions, ensuring a healthy future for Hoosier wildlife and the ecosystems they call home.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 19, 2024 18:20:57 GMT -5
From Indiana Wildlife Federation …… * A bill of the highest concern to our members is SB 241 "Taking of Bobcats." As noted above, IWF has taken a neutral stance on this bill. Wildlife management, as dictated by the best available science, is vital for managing healthy wildlife populations in our state, while promoting recreation opportunities for sportsmen and women. Senate Bill 241 mandates the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to implement a season “to take bobcats not later than July 1 of 2025.” While the Indiana Wildlife Federation would rather see these decisions be made by the DNR, we would support a sustainable bobcat harvest if the data suggests it warranted. We urge the state legislature to empower the DNR to manage all wildlife populations. Allowing the DNR to utilize their scientific expertise and adapt to changing conditions will ensure both bobcat sustainability and robust public involvement. Previously, IWF has opposed bobcat harvest due to a lack of rigorous science to justify a season. Since 2019 wildlife biologists in the state have gathered population data and if they have the data to suggest that the bobcat population in Indiana is large enough to allow for a scientifically managed harvest IWF will support it. We urge the DNR to deploy a conservative model, like how they have managed other species in our state, ensuring the long-term viability of bobcats throughout Indiana for all Hoosiers to enjoy. A bobcat harvest offers a welcome opportunity for responsible wildlife management. However, let's learn from this experience and empower our DNR to make wildlife management decisions, ensuring a healthy future for Hoosier wildlife and the ecosystems they call home. Agreed…110%
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 20, 2024 18:57:53 GMT -5
Greg - the "interference" issue has a couple of faces. DNR presented that proposal for a season about 4-5 years back. DNR was ready to move forward. Rumor has it that the Executive branch told the NRC there would be no season as long as Holcomb was in office. I think we all read this bill the same way "forcing" DNR to set a season. All the numbers and areas of such a season are left to DNR/NRC. Few if any of us wants the legislature involved but reading the HSUS and other websites and media outlets it is clear they don't care about the science just getting the outcome they want. This bill simply requires DNR to do their job. They may have even asked Senator Baldwin to do it. Just My Opinion of course.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 20, 2024 19:03:11 GMT -5
If this passes Holcomb would have to sign it or veto it wouldn’t he?
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 20, 2024 19:39:10 GMT -5
If this passes Holcomb would have to sign it or veto it wouldn’t he? The bill says July 1, 2025. So we would have a new governor by then. "(b) The director shall, not later than July 1, 2025, adopt rules to establish a season to take a bobcat." Jack
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 20, 2024 19:51:34 GMT -5
If this passes Holcomb would have to sign it or veto it wouldn’t he? The bill says July 1, 2025. So we would have a new governor by then. "(b) The director shall, not later than July 1, 2025, adopt rules to establish a season to take a bobcat." Jack Isn't that for the season itself? The bill is in this year's session right? It has to pass this year and be signed in order for it to be enacted after July 2005? Holcomb could say NO and then they would have to start all over again...or am I off base here?
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Post by greghopper on Jan 20, 2024 19:58:48 GMT -5
The bill says July 1, 2025. So we would have a new governor by then. "(b) The director shall, not later than July 1, 2025, adopt rules to establish a season to take a bobcat." Jack Isn't that for the season itself? The bill is in this year's session right? It has to pass this year and be signed in order for it to be enacted after July 2005? Holcomb could say NO and then they would have to start all over again...or am I off base here? That’s the way I been reading it… not sure of time line of it all. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must approve the bill before it can be sent to the governor for signature. The Governor Signs The Bill Into Law. House And The Senate Vote To Over-Ride The Veto. The Bill Becomes Law.
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Post by greghopper on Jan 20, 2024 20:11:00 GMT -5
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 21, 2024 15:01:21 GMT -5
You're right it does have to become law this year. Holcomb has to sign it, veto it or allow to take affect without his signature. The last one is a very real possibility.
HJ
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Post by titanium700 on Jan 22, 2024 9:19:38 GMT -5
I hope it passes. I’ve got a few around my place. Cool critters for sure. I’d trap em. I shot one in Arizona about 8 yrs ago with a .223 and it didn’t blow the hide up. The mount These pics are from my now defunct Photobucket album.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 22, 2024 10:28:39 GMT -5
Wellllllll.. I like cats and probably would not shoot a bobcat even if there was a season for them. But that is me. Woodmaster and my grandson would both drop the hammer, If I ever did kill one this is the taxidermist I’d send it to. www.facebook.com/share/p/1TZ3QXvRZqPMGSuv/?mibextid=WC7FNe
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Post by budd on Jan 22, 2024 14:25:05 GMT -5
One I trapped. Hopefully I get to see some pictures posted on here from you all.
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Post by esshup on Jan 22, 2024 18:27:50 GMT -5
If they start showing up here in any sort of numbers I'll be asking for set tips.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 22, 2024 19:08:45 GMT -5
I’m pretty sure they will treat bobcats like they did river otters. Maybe one per hunter/trapper with a statewide limit.
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Post by greghopper on Jan 22, 2024 20:16:52 GMT -5
I’m pretty sure they will treat bobcats like they did river otters. Maybe one per hunter/trapper with a statewide limit. Last time they tried it was only 32 countries only in southern part of the state I believe …. I don’t remember the bag limits or quotas. Of course I am for Trapping only where the data says reduction is needed with trapping license and required permit.
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Post by titanium700 on Jan 22, 2024 22:04:07 GMT -5
I’m pretty sure they will treat bobcats like they did river otters. Maybe one per hunter/trapper with a statewide limit. Actually I think that would be more than fair.
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Post by hatchetjack on Jan 23, 2024 17:44:39 GMT -5
The new legislative liaison is Emily Black. Her number and email are probably in the DNR phone book. I have her card if anyone needs to talk her. I told her I was Woody Williams.
HJ
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 23, 2024 17:58:43 GMT -5
The new legislative liaison is Emily Black. Her number and email are probably in the DNR phone book. I have her card if anyone needs to talk her. I told her I was Woody Williams. HJ .
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Post by greghopper on Jan 23, 2024 18:39:27 GMT -5
The new legislative liaison is Emily Black. Her number and email are probably in the DNR phone book. I have her card if anyone needs to talk her. I told her I was Woody Williams. HJ . Remember the call in radio show where someone called in and claimed to be WW… Proposal 1 talk!
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 23, 2024 19:44:09 GMT -5
. Remember the call in radio show where someone called in and claimed to be WW… Proposal 1 talk! That deserves another… They pulled out all the stops didn’t they?
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