Illinois concludes bobcat hunting season

This year's bobcat hunting season has come to an end in Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 649 bobcats were harvested by hunters and trappers from November to February.

Fulton County reported the most harvests with 26 bobcats, followed by 25 reported in Pike County.

IDNR issued 2,000 bobcat permits in this season's bobcat lottery out of 9,200 applicants. That's an increase from previous seasons where 1,000 permits were issued. During the state's first bobcat season in 2016, 500 permits were issued.

Research from Southern Illinois University has indicated that the Illinois bobcat population could support an increased annual harvest without causing the population to decline.

Bobcat hunting applications will be available again in September at the IDNR Hunt Illinois website .