Section 570.31  Permit and Tagging Requirements

a)         Permit Requirement and Fee – River Otter

1)         Trappers must purchase a River Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking each otter that becomes part of their daily limit.

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

3)         River Otter Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who trapped or salvaged a river otter and are not transferable.

4)         Failure to purchase a River Otter Registration Permit, failure to do so within the specified time limit and transfer of a River Otter Registration Permit are Class B misdemeanors (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

b)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit – Application, Lottery and Fee

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 non-refundable 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 first-come, first-served at www.dnr.illinois.gov for $5 each. Applicants who received a permit in the preceding lottery are ineligible to receive a second permit.

c)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit – Requirements

1)         Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit.

2)         Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permit before salvaging a bobcat from roadways under Section 2.30 of the Wildlife Code.

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

4)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits allow harvest of bobcats in all parts of the State that are not identified as closed by Section 570.15.

d)         Bobcat Registration Permit – Fee and Requirements

1)         Trappers must purchase a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit.

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.

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

e)         Tagging Requirements

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

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

3)         Unsealed U.S. CITES tags are not transferable and is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

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

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12637, effective September 24, 2021)