Yep, the hunters and vile trappers of Illinois have been itching to persecute bobcats for what seems like ages and now the legislators have allowed it because this beautiful wild cat has made a comeback from decades of persecution because they were listed as a threatened species in 1977.
As soon as this wild cat bounces back to a survivable population size, the hunters see this as an opportunity to start killing them for fun rather than celebrating their presence.
The legislators of Illinois have been pestered and bullied into passing a law which legalises hunting and trapping in the state for the first time since 1972.
Then the governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner, signed off the legislation. Well done Rauner. You are no damn good.
This really is not democracy in process. It is the sort of political insensitivity that American citizens are tired of.
A state-wide poll by Mason-Dixon tells us that two-thirds of voters in Illinois oppose sport hunting and the trapping of bobcats in the state. The poll also tells us that 78 percent of voters support a ban on the steel-jawed traps to kill animals. And 77 percent support a ban on the sale of bobcat pelts.
The politicians in league with business have conspired to make a decision which is against the wishes and desires of the voting citizens.
In 2016, it really is time to think differently about killing animals for pleasure in America. The world should be more civilised.
State Sen, Don Harmon has introduced legislation to ban the sale of bobcat pelts and the trapping of bobcats in Illinois (as I understand it). This is a small bright spark amongst the doom and gloom.
The politicians need to listen to the public. I hope they are voted out of office at the next election. They should be. They are not listening or representing their constituents.
New Hampshire’s law makers tried to reintroduce bobcat hunting last year but failed thanks to pressure from the voters. As a result the proposal was withdrawn.
People need to stand up to the trophy hunters and trappers. Both pastimes/professions are passed their sell by date.
Associated: Bobcat and lynx fur trade stats. \
Source: the blog of Wayne Pacelle.
I’m sure that everyone now respects you for claiming to speak for everyone else in the world. Psychotic egomaniac much? Maybe it’s just those Toxoplasma gondii brain-hijacking parasites that are talking for you. That would explain everything.
No one but I are paying attention to you, Jim.
In an article put out by the State of Illinois it stated that the population was stable at 3000 and the issued 500 tags. Even allowing for a hunt that seems excessive for the reported population. Northern areas were listed as off limits.
Bobcats are rodent/rabbit eaters and usually only become a problem with poor human management of small pets, small livestock and garbage. Considering the dwindling population in some areas relocation might be the better option here.
Like it or not once in a while predators reach into urban areas where they may cause problems. They are simply looking for territory and resources. The use of wildlife corridors can ease such issues while protecting humans and the animals by allowing them to migrate so safer less populated areas.
If manipulative questions posed on opinion-polls were any kind of certified and concrete indication of votes then Trump wouldn’t be president. Just like everyone claims TNR is wanted by over 80% of the population. Sure, when you read the opinion-poll questions that they asked everyone, they had no choice but to agree with TNR. But ask the same questions telling everyone of all the destruction cats cause, the diseases they spread, and how many species have been driven to extinction by outdoor cats, and also add-in all the inhumane ways that every last TNR cat dies; then the poll results would be 99% against TNR. But that’s already reflected in just how much of the population on Facebook “likes” TNR. Less than 0.003% of the population anywhere in the world has “liked” the concept of TNR on Facebook. There’s your TRUE opinion-poll of TNR.
Yes, Dee, humans ensure that they recover population size (they think) and then start killing them again. For me it is sick human behavior.
Officials allow them to make a comeback just to be killed off.
I don’t understand the mindset of these hunters. Cats are killed for no reason. They’re not a food source nor a threat. I just don’t get it.