Section 550.25  Permit and Tagging Requirements − Bobcat

a)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit

1)         Applications from residents and nonresidents will be accepted online only at www.dnr.illinois.gov from September 1 through September 30 of the current year.

2)         Each person may apply for one Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit per application period.

3)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing.  Beginning July 1, 2020, applicants who did not receive a permit the previous year will have preference by being part of the initial random drawing.  If any additional permits remain to be allocated after that drawing, a second drawing will take place for all of the individuals who received a permit the previous year.

4)         The Department will mail, email or provide electronic Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits to successful applicants after the drawing is held.

5)         A nonrefundable fee of $5 will be charged for each application for a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit.

6)         The number of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits that are made available each season will be determined by the Department in accordance with federal regulations (50 CFR 23.69)( 2007).

7)         No more than 5% of permits will be allocated to nonresidents.

8)         If the number of available permits exceeds the number distributed to applicants during the lottery, remaining permits will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at www.dnr.illinois.gov for $5 each. Applicants who received a permit in the preceding lottery are ineligible to receive a second permit.

9)         Hunters must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking or attempting to take a bobcat.

10)        Hunters must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before salvaging a bobcat from roadways under Section 2.30 of the Wildlife Code.

11)        Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits are not transferable. Violation is a Petty Offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30c).

12)        Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits allow harvest of bobcats in all parts of the State that are not identified as closed in Section 550.20(e)(1).

b)         Bobcat Registration Permit

1)         Hunters must purchase a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking a bobcat.

2)         The cost of a Bobcat Registration Permit is $5.

3)         Bobcat Registration Permits will be available for purchase online only at www.dnr.illinois.gov.

4)         Bobcat Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who took a bobcat and are not transferable. Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30c).

5)         The Department will issue a United States Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (U.S. CITES) pelt tag to individuals who took a bobcat in accordance with this Part and purchased a Bobcat Registration Permit.

c)         Tagging Requirement

1)         A U.S. CITES pelt tag must be permanently affixed to the green hide of each bobcat and sealed before the green hide is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, fur tanner, taxidermist or manufacturer. Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

2)         Unless an alternative method has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, each green hide of a bobcat that is to be exported or re-exported must have a U.S. CITES tag permanently attached (50 CFR 23.69) (2007).

3)         It is unlawful to possess more unsealed U.S. CITES tags issued by the Department than green hides of bobcat in possession. Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

4)         Unsealed U.S. CITES tags are not transferable.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12621, effective September 24, 2021)