California's Bobcats Need Our Voices! 🐾💜

California's bobcats play an important role in our ecosystems, helping regulate rodent populations and maintain ecological balance. Now, the state is reviewing how these native predators will be managed in the future.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released its draft California Bobcat Conservation and Management Plan following five years of research and population monitoring.

California has prohibited recreational bobcat hunting since 2020. While the draft plan does not reopen hunting, it considers different management scenarios, and the California Fish and Game Commission has the authority to determine whether a hunting season may be reinstated.

CDFW's August 2026 monitoring report also identifies important conservation concerns:

• Anticoagulant rodenticides were detected in 100 of 129 deceased bobcats tested.

• Of 29 bobcats that died from mange, 28 tested positive for anticoagulant rodenticides.

• Statewide population stability does not necessarily mean local bobcat populations are stable.

• Additional information is needed to better understand survival rates and population trends.

These findings raise important questions about the long-term health of California's bobcats and the role of science, conservation, and nonlethal coexistence in future management decisions.

TAKE ACTION! 🐾

CDFW is accepting public comments on the draft plan until November 1, 2026.

This is your opportunity to share why bobcat conservation matters to you and what you believe California should prioritize in its final management plan.

Use the form to submit your comments directly to CDFW. We encourage you to personalize your letter and share your own perspective.

California's wildlife deserves thoughtful, science-based management. Make your voice heard before the deadline! 💜🐾