Bobcats/Trapper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

STATUS OF BOBCATS IN WYOMING 2015-2016

Wyoming Game and Fish Department August, 2016

INTRODUCTION

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has compiled the following data on bobcats (Lynx rufus) since the 1977-78 trapping season: harvest, trapper success, trapping effort, sex and age of harvested bobcats, and geographic distribution of harvest. These data are used to monitor the bobcat population and provide guidance to the Division of Scientific Authority (DSA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the export of bobcats harvested in Wyoming.

Historically, analyses of bobcat population data collected in Wyoming have been comprehensive and costly to prepare. Since 2003-04, we have relied on harvest and effort indices, which provide an adequate and reliable assessment of bobcat population trends. Our last comprehensive report was submitted to the DSA in September, 2002. Please refer to the 2002 report (covering the 2001-02 trapping season) to access historical data and detailed population analysis. The recommended citation is:

Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 2002. Population Analysis of Bobcats in Wyoming: 2001-2002: a report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Scientific Authority in satisfaction of requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Cheyenne, WY. 39pp + appendices.

HARVEST MANAGEMENT PRINCIPALS

Bobcat populations have naturally high rates of annual reproduction and mortality. From a management perspective, they are in a category of game animals that are protected from overexploitation by the “law of diminishing returns.” This is particularly the case in Wyoming, where trapping participation is comparatively low in relation to the large land area and abundance of opportunity. Harvest of bobcats through customary hunting and trapping methods is largely compensatory to other sources of mortality and is not the ultimate factor that regulates bobcat populations. When environmental conditions limit abundance of bobcats, they become more difficult to catch or hunt, catch rates decline and many trappers give up or put less effort into trapping bobcats. Even when the commercial value of pelts is high, the law of diminishing returns limits the number of bobcats taken by trappers and hunters. In addition, large tracts of occupied bobcat habitat are inaccessible to trappers and hunters due to remoteness or because access is restricted on private lands. These inaccessible areas serve as population reservoirs.

In Wyoming, the bobcat population is limited principally by environmental conditions that affect prey availability. Based on a 25-year data set (1977-78 through 2001-02), the

1 estimated spring-to-fall survival of kittens is highly correlated (r = 0.93) with the abundance of the principal prey, cottontail rabbits (WGFD 2002). Similarly, the proportion of kittens in the harvest, a measure of recruitment, is strongly correlated with prey abundance. Throughout the period of record, the annual harvest of bobcats did not exceed the estimated annual recruitment of kittens in the fall (WGFD 2002)

Pelt prices can have a strong bearing on trapper participation. Although pelt values of all furbearing species collectively influence trapper interest, values of bobcat pelts seem to have the highest correlation with numbers of trapping licenses sold annually in Wyoming. A regression analysis based on 26 years of data (through 2002-03) yielded the following relationship:

Y = 1.75X + 766 r = 0.79

Where: Y is the annual number of licenses sold; and X is the average inflation-adjusted price (2003 $$) paid by non-resident fur dealers for bobcat pelts each year (most Wyoming bobcat pelts are sold out-of-state).

This relationship accounted for the majority of the variation in annual numbers of trapping licenses sold. We re-ran the regression for all 39 years of data based on 2015 inflation-adjusted dollars resulting in the following relationship:

Y = 0.86X + 1166 r = 0.32

The lower correlation coefficient (r) appears the result of higher trapper participation in recent years despite comparatively modest bobcat pelt prices relative to historic high prices in the 1970s and 1980s. The number of furbearer licenses sold generally increased from 1990 through 2013, although 2015-16 was the second consecutive year of declining sales (2,274 licenses sold – Table 1). Demand by foreign fur buyers caused pelt prices to increase in the recent past. However, pelt prices declined substantially during the 2015-16 trapping season (the third year in a row – Table 1), which may have contributed to the reduction in furbearer license sales and relatively unchanged harvest statistics.

HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING

The 2015-16 furbearer regulation (Chapter 4, Wyoming Game & Fish Commission Regulations) is provided as Attachment 1. Furbearer trapping licenses are valid statewide; however 6 management areas have been established for the purpose of compiling and reporting bobcat harvest data (see map in Attachment 2). Beginning with the trapping season of 1982-83, through 2001-02, sex and age data were obtained by analyzing cementum annuli of tooth samples collected from bobcats. Results of past tooth analyses are reported in WGFD (2002).

Detailed age structure data are not needed to manage bobcats in Wyoming. Therefore, the collection and submission of teeth for cementum annuli analysis (a costly monitoring

2 program) was discontinued beginning with the 2002-03 trapping season. Currently, information collected at the time pelts are presented for mandatory tagging includes: age distinguished as juvenile (kitten) or adult, sex, numbers of traps and days set, and locations trapped. The age and sex composition of statewide harvests since the 2002-03 season, are reported in Attachment 3. The statewide harvests from 1982 through 2002 were distributed among management areas in the following proportions: Area 1 (0.5%); Area 2 (23.0)%; Area 3 (40.8%); Area 4 (12.2%); Area 5 (11.3%); and Area 6 (12.2%) (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2002). This harvest distribution does not change appreciably from year to year. Management Area 3 has consistently produced the largest bobcat harvests in Wyoming. The average monthly distribution of pelts tagged is: October (0.1%), November (11.6%), December (28.7%), January (30.5%), February (23.9%), and March (5.1%).

POPULATION TREND ANALYSIS

The Department has assembled a continuous record of catch rates and catch effort since 1977 (Table 1, Figs. 1 and 2). The average annual catch rate is 4.2 bobcats per trapper (n = 39 years, and has ranged from 2.3 in 2002-03 to an all-time high of 9.4 in 2004-05. The period of record includes 10 years in which the catch rate was 3.0 or fewer bobcats per trapper, and 10 years in which the catch rate was 5.0 or more bobcats per trapper. The annual catch rate was high during the 1990s (avg. = 4.8 bobcats per trapper), when pelt prices were low and fewer trappers (avg. = 889) were afield. The annual catch rate was lowest during the 1980s (avg. = 3.3 bobcats per trapper) when pelt prices were exceptionally high and substantially more trappers (avg. = 1,448) were afield. Average catch rates in the 1980s were low despite above average prey abundance and kitten recruitment. Relatively lower prey abundance during the latter 1990s and from 2008 through 2013 resulted in lower kitten survival, and undoubtedly somewhat lower bobcat populations. However, trapper success and effort did not suggest a substantial decline in the population.

The number of bobcats caught per trapper was higher than average and trapping effort lower than average from 2003-04 through 2008-09 (Table 1). Based on field reports, the cottontail rabbit population declined sharply during summer and fall of 2008 and tularemia was detected in several regions of the State. This decline in prey abundance was reflected in a lower average cottontail harvest in the 2009-10 through 2013-14 harvest survey results (4.8 3.6, 3.4, 3.6 and 4.0 rabbits per hunter, respectively), signifying an end to the abundant prey population that had been at a cyclic high since 2003-04 (Table 1). However, in 2015-16 the average harvest of rabbits per hunter (10.2) increased for the second year in a row, suggesting the available prey base has again increased. This was also accompanied by a slight increase in percent kittens in the harvest, although bobcats harvested per trapper decreased slightly. While the proportion of kittens in the harvest did increase, it remained below the long term average of 21.1%. Catch effort in 2015-16 decreased slightly to 370 trap days per bobcat and remained below the long term average of 489 trap days per bobcat (Table 1). All 3 trend indices (trapper success, catch effort, and proportion of kittens in the harvest) were within the historical range of variation, indicating Wyoming’s bobcat population remains healthy.

We have relied on the numbers of pelts tagged as a consistent means to estimate annual bobcat harvest since 1993-94. From that time through the present, there have been three periods of low

prey abundance and two periods of relatively higher prey abundance that are highly correlated with bobcat kitten recruitment (r=0.89 – Fig. 3, Table 3). Kitten recruitment and bobcat harvest success appear to decrease markedly when the cottontail prey index falls below 5 rabbits per hunter.

Table 1. Trend data used to monitor Wyoming bobcat harvest, trapper activity and catch effort.

Pelt Prices Paid by Catch No. Fur- N/R Fur Buyers No. Bobcat Percent Prey Index Catch Rate Effort Year bearer Raw Adjusted Trappers Total Kittens (Cottontails (Bobcats (Trap- Licenses $$ 2015 $$ in Survey Bobcat Harvestc in / Hunter) per Days/ Sold Responsea Harvest Trapper)d Bobcat) 1977-78 1,365 N/A N/A 336 1,492 33.3 N/A 4.4 533 1978-79 1,271 164 539 265 1,113 41.1 12.1 4.2 492 1979-80 2,174 214 620 752 2,834 27.1 9.3 3.8 528 1980-81 1,902 269 707 614 1,876 19.2 5.6 3.1 568 1981-82 1,777 250 619 340 1,042 31.8 14.2 3.1 704 1982-83 1,519 207 496 361 1,190 34.4 14.1 3.3 481 1983-84 1,369 215 494 499 1,607 36.1 18.3 3.2 498 1984-85 1,375 188 417 717 2,781b 23.0 10.5 3.5c 533 1985-86 1,473 204 444 473 1,665 7.6 5.9 3.5 512 1986-87 1,322 344 723 582 1,707 14.4 5.1 2.9 602 1987-88 1,535 277 559 421 1,522 35.1 13.5 3.6 778 1988-89 1,258 227 437 443 1,323 32.8 13.4 3.0 555 1989-90 946 158 289 286 866 31.5 13.4 3.0 599 1990-91 669 107 188 215 634 36.0 16.3 2.9 721 1991-92 714 131 223 275 1,877 33.4 14.9 6.8 390 1992-93 868 81 134 221 968 (1,181) 29.8 13.0 4.4 464 1993-94 891 72 116 183 681 (1,257) 7.9 4.6 3.7 438 1994-95 968 87 136 123 471 (976) 10.0 3.6 3.8 214 1995-96 941 112 170 57 126 (552) 10.0 5.8 3.4 302 1996-97 932 141 210 52 390 (1,135) 30.3 5.5 7.5 888e 1997-98 958 76 111 77 349 (1,042) 17.4 6.6 4.5 968e 1998-99 974 102 146 77 401 (1,177) 23.1 5.3 5.2 754e 1999-00 976 118 164 58 335 (1,452) 23.2 6.1 5.8 N/A 2000-01 1,084 110 148 59 207f (1,354) 23.9 5.7 3.6 753e 2001-02 1,128 155 206 189 483 (1,467) 11.9 4.8 2.6 270e e 2002-03 1,289 242 314 249 572 (1,847) 12.1 4.0 2.3 586 2003-04 1,388 170h 215 401 2,165 16.0 7.2 5.4 N/Aj 2004-05 1,454 135h 165 397 3,120 16.8 7.8 9.4 276 2005-06 1,496 184h 218 468 3,179 16.5 10.0 7.6 394 2006-07 1,623 N/A N/A 499 3,617 16.6 9.7 7.2 229 2007-08 1,844 N/A N/A 489 3,036 14.6 8.0 5.6 245 2008-09 1,850 169h 188 393 2,978 12.1 5.6 6.8 287 2009-10 1902 176h 193 495 1,609 10.5 4.8 2.9 325 2010-11 1,881 572i 607 377 1,606 14.3 3.6 3.7 365 2011-12 1,948 182 189 585 1,875 11 3.4 2.9 358 2012-13 2,340 395h 405 579 1,872 15.9 3.6 2.9 376 2013-14 2,560 312h 315 522 1,571 12.7 4.0 2.7 355 2014-15 2,404 178h 179 287 1,140 14.4 7.0 3.7 378 2015-16 2,274 103h 103 295 1,164 15.4 10.2 3.6 370 Avg. 1,452 190 316 352 1,690 21.1 8.3 4.2 489

4 a Prior to the 1992-93 season, we have no record whether the number of bobcat trappers reported was the number of survey respondents who indicated they trapped bobcats, or an extrapolated value. From 1992-03 through 2002-03, the reported number of bobcat trappers was the number of survey respondents who indicated they trapped bobcats. Beginning in 2003-04 and thereafter, all successful bobcat trappers are interviewed at the time they present their pelts for tagging. Accordingly, the survey results should represent nearly 100% of successful bobcat trappers. b The total harvest includes 248 bobcats taken with firearms, as reported in the 1984 Annual Report of Upland Game and Furbearer Harvest. This additional harvest is included here because of its exceptionally large size. c Values in parentheses are the number of tagged bobcats, a closer approximation of the harvests for 1992-2002. Beginning in 2003 and thereafter, only the number of tagged bobcats is reported. The number of tagged bobcats also includes bobcats taken with firearms. dCatch per trapper excludes bobcats taken with firearms. e Catch effort since the 1996-97 is based on the reported number of trap sets and days targeting bobcats. Before the 1996-97 season, the amount of effort expended trapping bobcats was determined by applying the proportion of the total catch represented by bobcats to the total trapping effort expended for all terrestrial furbearing species. Accordingly, effort calculations prior to 1996-97 may not be comparable. f These numbers were extrapolated from an incomplete survey, 573 of 1,084 trappers were surveyed. g Best estimate of the average annual harvest -- average of all pelts reported prior to 1992-03 and all pelts tagged 1992 and thereafter. h Based on average price received at the Colorado Trapper’s Association’s fur auction each February [http://www.coloradotrapper.com/]. i Based on average price received at the Western States Fur Auction held in Columbus, Montana in February 2011 [http:// http://trappingtoday.com/index.php/category/fur-prices/]. j Catch effort could not be calculated from the 2003-04 trapping season due to inconsistent data records. This problem was rectified beginning with the 2004-05 season.

Table 2. Bobcat harvest trends.

Trap Furbearer Bobcat Days/ Bobcats/ YEAR Lisc. Sold Harvest Bobcat Trapper 1978 1271 1113 492 4.2 1979 2174 2834 528 3.8 1980 1902 1876 568 3.1 1981 1777 1042 704 3.1 1982 1519 1190 481 3.3 1983 1369 1607 498 3.2 1984 1375 2781 533 3.5 1985 1473 1665 512 3.5 1986 1322 1707 602 2.9 1987 1535 1522 778 3.6 1988 1258 1323 555 3 1989 946 866 599 3 1990 669 634 721 2.9 1991 714 1877 390 6.8 1992 868 1181 464 4.4 1993 891 1257 438 3.7 1994 968 976 214 3.8 1995 941 552 302 3.4 1996 932 1135 888 7.5 1997 958 1042 968 4.5 1998 974 1177 754 5.2 1999 976 1452 N/A 5.8 2000 1084 1354 753 3.6 2001 1128 1467 270 2.6 2002 1289 1847 586 2.3 2003 1388 2165 N/A 5.4 2004 1454 3120 276 9.4 2005 1496 3179 394 7.6 2006 1623 3617 229 7 2007 1844 3036 245 5.6 2008 1850 2978 287 6.8 2009 1902 1609 325 2.9 2010 1881 1606 365 3.7 2011 1948 1875 358 2.9 2012 2340 1872 376 2.9 2013 2560 1571 355 2.7 2014 2404 1140 378 3.7 2015 2274 1164 370 3.6

Bobcats/Trapper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Fig. 1. Annual average number of bobcats harvested per trapper.

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

Licenses 2,000 Bobcat Harvest

1,500 Trap Days/Bobcat

1,000

500

Fig. 2. Correlation between prey abundance, bobcat kitten recruitment, and trapping success. (Note: Effort values were unavailable in 1999 and 2003).

Table 3. Periods of higher and lower average prey abundance and bobcat kitten recruitment.

Avg. Avg. % Avg. Cottontail Kittens Bobcats/ Period Index in Harvest Trapper 1978-82 11.7 30.7 3.5 1983-87 10.7 23.2 3.3 1988-92 14.2 32.7 4.0 1993-97 5.2 15.1 4.6 1998-02 5.2 18.8 3.9 2003-07 8.5 16.1 7.0 2008-12 4.2 12.8 3.8 2012-15 6.2 14.6 3.2

25 Avg. Cottontail Index 20 Avg. % Kittens in 15 Harvest 10 Avg. Bobcats/Trapper 5

Fig. 3. Correlation between prey abundance (cottontail index) and kitten recruitment (% kittens in harvest) measured during periods of relatively lower and relatively higher prey abundance.

‘

FUTURE MONITORING AND DATA REPORTING

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will continue to rely on catch rate (trapper success) and catch effort as the 2 principal indices to monitor status of bobcat populations in Wyoming. Table 1 will be updated annually and shall serve as the long-term data record for reporting purposes.

The most consistent index we have is catch rate (catch per trapper). This value has been calculated directly from information provided by trappers who responded to the state’s furbearer harvest survey since 1977. On the other hand, methods used to calculate catch effort have been somewhat inconsistent through the years of the survey. From 1977 through 1996, trappers were asked to report total numbers of traps set and days trapped for all terrestrial furbearing species collectively. Catch effort was allocated based on the proportion of the total catch that consisted of bobcats. This approach likely produced biased estimates due to the averaging effect contributed by other terrestrial species that are easier to catch. From 1997 through 2000, the survey instrument was redesigned in an effort to obtain specific information about numbers of traps targeting individual species, and days set. While this approach theoretically enabled us to obtain a valid estimate of the number of trap-days expended for each species, it was more confusing to trappers and not well received. In 2001 and 2002, we redesigned the survey instrument again such that it became a bobcat only survey. All other furbearing species were eliminated from the survey. Due to an extremely low response rate (approximately 30%), we terminated the mail survey altogether in 2003. In 2006, we reinstated a simplified furbearer survey in order to collect basic information to estimate the numbers of each species of furbearing animal harvested. However, the survey tends to underestimate bobcat harvest, in part because the sample frame is based on licenses sold through the end of the calendar year and does not include licenses that are sold at the beginning of the subsequent calendar year. [The bobcat trapping season begins in November and extends through February, spanning portions of 2 calendar years].

Commencing in 2003, bobcat trappers have been interviewed in person each time they present their pelts for mandatory tagging. This procedure effectively surveys 100% of successful bobcat trappers. The revised data reporting form is provided in Attachment 4. We believe survey responses in the past also consisted predominantly of successful trappers. Nonetheless, our adjustments to the survey protocol could affect the reported catch effort and catch rates somewhat. However, the data we collected over the preceding 25 years conclusively demonstrate trapping and hunting are not depleting the bobcat population in Wyoming. The harvest indices will serve to verify this through time and should satisfy the monitoring provision of the export permitting process for “similar” species listed in Appendix II of the CITES.

HARVEST OBJECTIVES

Wyoming's management objective is to maintain bobcat numbers and distribution in available habitat. Our harvest objective of 1,800 is conservative based upon prior population analyses (WGFD 2002). Although the Department has established a numerical harvest objective, this merely represents harvest realized under “average” conditions. In reality, the number of bobcats available for harvest depends on their abundance and reproductive success in any given year. Harvests that exceed the objective are not detrimental to the population, but serve to identify years in which bobcats are especially abundant.

LITERATURE CITED

WGFD (Wyoming Game and Fish Department). 2002. Population Analysis of Bobcats in Wyoming: 2001-2002: a report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Scientific Authority in satisfaction of requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Cheyenne, WY. 39pp + appendices.

ATTACHMENT 1

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

CHAPTER 4

FURBEARING ANIMAL HUNTING OR TRAPPING SEASONS

Section 1. Authority. This regulation is promulgated by authority of W.S. §23-1-302, W.S. §23-2-303, W.S. §23-2-305 and W.S. §23-3-109.

Section 2. Definitions. Definitions shall be as set forth in Title 23, Wyoming Statutes, Commission regulations, and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:

(a) “Drainage” means all lands within the watershed of a named river or stream, including all tributaries and standing waters which drain into that river or stream.

(b) “Green pelt” means the untanned hide or skin of a furbearing animal.

(c) “Owner” means the person who physically sets any trap or snare in any fashion that may result in the take of any furbearing or predatory animal.

(d) “Quick-kill Body-grip Trap” means a device that closes around the body or head of the animal in such a manner as to almost immediately kill the animal caught.

(e) “Snare” means a device consisting of a loop with no mechanical trigger for capturing furbearing or predatory animals.

(f) “Leg-hold Trap” means any device using a mechanical trigger that springs the jaws or loop shut for capturing furbearing or predatory animals.

(g) “Live Trap” means any device designed to capture or trap a live animal inside a cage or structure. Such traps include, but are not limited to box traps and cage traps.

(h) “Trapping” or “trap” means the taking of a furbearing or predatory animal by trap, snare or with a firearm or archery equipment.

(i) “Trap Identification Number” means an identification number assigned to the owner of traps or snares by the Department.

(j) “Week” means the seven (7) day period starting on Monday through the following Sunday.

Section 3. Hunting or Trapping Seasons.

Species, hunting or trapping areas, season dates and limitations.

Trapping Season Dates Species Area Opens Closes Limitations Mink 1 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 Any mink Bobcat 1 Nov. 15 Mar. 1 Any bobcat Muskrat 1 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 Any muskrat Weasel 1 Oct. 1 Mar. 31 Any weasel Badger 1 Jan. 1 Dec. 31 Any badger

Trapping Season Dates Species Area Opens Closes Limitations Marten 1 Oct. 1 Mar. 1 Any marten 2 Dec. 1 Mar. 1 Any marten

Beaver 1 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 Any beaver 101 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 5 beaver 102 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 20 beaver 103 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 10 beaver 104 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 25 beaver 301 CLOSED 302 CLOSED 303 CLOSED 304 CLOSED 305 CLOSED 401 CLOSED 404 CLOSED 405 CLOSED 406 CLOSED 407 CLOSED 408 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 15 beaver 409 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 15 beaver 410 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 15 beaver 411 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 35 beaver 412 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 15 beaver 413 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 30 beaver 414 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 30 beaver 501 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 10 beaver 502 Oct. 1 Apr. 30 1 trapper; 10 beaver 503 CLOSED 504 CLOSED 505 CLOSED 606 CLOSED

Section 4. Furbearing Animal Hunting or Trapping Area Descriptions.

(a) Area and number.

(i) All furbearing animals, excluding marten and beaver.

Area 1. The entire State of Wyoming, excluding those areas closed in Section 4(b).

(ii) Marten.

Area 1. The entire State of Wyoming, excluding Area 2 as listed in this subsection and those areas closed in Section 4(b).

Area 2. Snowy Range. Beginning at the junction of Interstate Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 287 in the city of Laramie; southerly along U.S. Highway 287 to the Wyoming-Colorado state line; westerly along said line to Wyoming Highway 230 in Carbon County; northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 130; northerly along said highway to Interstate Highway 80; easterly along said highway to its junction with U.S. Highway 287.

(iii) Beaver.

Area 1. The entire State of Wyoming, excluding those limited quota trapping areas listed in this subsection and those areas closed in Section 4(b).

Area 101. Ditch Creek. Ditch Creek drainage in Teton County.

Area 102. Willow Creek. Willow Creek drainage in Teton and Lincoln Counties.

Area 103. Game Creek and Little Horse Creek. Game Creek and Little Horse Creek drainages in Teton County.

Area 104. Fall Creek. All of the Fall Creek, Mosquito Creek and Dog Creek drainages on U.S. Forest Service lands in Teton and Lincoln Counties.

Area 301. North Tongue River. North Tongue River drainage in Sheridan County.

Area 302. South Tongue River. South Tongue River drainage in Sheridan County.

Area 303. East Fork of Big Goose Creek. East Fork of Big Goose Creek drainage upstream of Park Reservoir in Johnson County.

Area 304. Clear Creek. Clear Creek drainage on U.S. Forest Service lands in Johnson County.

Area 305. Crazy Woman Creek. Crazy Woman Creek drainage on U.S. Forest Service lands in Johnson County.

Area 401. South Rock Springs. That portion of Sweetwater County south of I-80 between the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Wyoming Highway 430.

Area 404. Henrys Fork. Henrys Fork River, Louse Creek and Sage Creek drainages on the Wasatch- Cache National Forest in Uinta County.

Area 405. Cottonwood Creek. Cottonwood Creek drainage on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Uinta County.

Area 406. East Fork of Smiths Fork. Drainages of Gilbert Creek and East Fork of Smiths Fork River upstream from Wasatch-Cache National Forest boundary in Uinta County.

Area 407. West Fork of Smiths Fork. West Fork of the Smiths Fork River and Willow Creek drainages upstream from Wasatch-Cache National Forest boundary in Uinta County.

Area 408. Salt Creek. Salt Creek drainage on U.S. Forest Service lands, Salt Creek Proper and Raymond Creek drainage on public lands in Lincoln County.

Area 409. Upper Smiths Fork. Smiths Fork drainage on U.S. Forest Service lands in Lincoln County.

Area 410. Hobble Creek. Hobble Creek drainage on U.S. Forest Service lands, Coal Creek, and Saw Mill Creek drainages in Lincoln County.

Area 411. Hams Fork River (Hams Fork). Beginning where the Hams Fork River crosses the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary to where the river crosses U.S. Forest Service Road 062 and all tributaries lying east of the Hams Fork River in Lincoln County.

Area 412. South Fork Fontenelle Creek. Beginning where the South Fork of Fontenelle Creek crosses the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary to its headwaters and all tributaries in Lincoln County, including all of the drainages of the South Fork of Fontenelle Creek upstream from the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary within Lincoln County.

Area 413. Fontenelle Creek. Beginning where Fontenelle Creek crosses the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary to the confluence of Camp Fire Creek and all tributaries in Lincoln County, including all of the drainages of Fontenelle Creek between the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary and Camp Fire Creek within Lincoln County.

Area 414. LaBarge Creek and South LaBarge Creek (main streams). Beginning where LaBarge Creek crosses the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary to its headwaters and the main channel of South LaBarge Creek in Lincoln County. LaBarge Creek Proper will be closed one (1) mile each direction from the confluence of Nameless Creek and LaBarge Creek in Lincoln County.

Area 501. North Pole Mountain. All of the drainages of Brush Creek, Crow Creek, Lodgepole (Pole) Creek, McKechnie Creek and Horse Creek within the boundaries of the Pole Mountain Division of the Medicine Bow National Forest and north of the Happy Jack Road (Wyoming Secondary Highway 210-U.S.F.S. 722) in Albany County.

Area 502. South Pole Mountain. All of the drainages of Brush Creek, Lodgepole (Pole) Creek, Crow Creek and Dale Creek within the boundaries of the Pole Mountain Division of the Medicine Bow National Forest and south of the Happy Jack Road (Wyoming Secondary Highway 210-U.S.F.S. 722) in Albany County.

Area 503. Woods Landing. All public lands within Boswell Creek, Eagle Creek, Shellrock Creek, Bear Creek, Jelm Creek and Porter Creek drainages in Albany County.

Area 504. Lake Owen. All public lands south and east of U.S.F.S Roads 552 and 540 within Fox Creek, Squirrel Creek, Squaw Creek, Lake Owen Creek and Strain Creek drainages in Albany County.

Area 505. Sheep Mountain. All public lands within Fence Creek, Hecht Creek and Buckeye Creek drainages in Albany County.

Area 606. East Fork Wind River. All lands within the Spence and Moriarity Wildlife Management Area and the Kirk Inberg/Kevin Roy Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Fremont County.

(b) Closed areas.

(i) The following areas shall be closed to the taking of all furbearing animals.

(A) Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Bighorn County;

(B) Grand Teton National Park in Teton County;

(D) National Elk Refuge in Teton County; and,

(E) Rawhide Wildlife Management Area, Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area and the Table Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Goshen County shall be closed October 1 through February 15.

(ii) The following areas shall be closed to the taking of beaver.

(A) Beaver Creek drainage from Wyoming Highway 70 downstream to its confluence with the North Fork of the Encampment River in Carbon County;

(B) Cache Creek drainage in Teton County;

(D) Granite Creek drainage from the Granite Hot Springs swimming pool downstream to the confluence with the Hoback River in Teton and Sublette Counties;

(E) Nameless Creek proper in Lincoln County;

(F) Nash Fork drainage south of Wyoming Highway 130 from the Snowy Range Ski Area Road downstream to its confluence with the North Fork of the Little Laramie River in Albany County;

(G) South Fork Hog Park Creek drainage from the Colorado/Wyoming state line downstream to its confluence with Hog Park Creek in Carbon County;

(H) South Fork Lake Creek and Goetze Creek drainages on the Pennock Mountain Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Carbon County; and,

(I) The head of the Rock Creek drainage north and east of the Sand Lake Road (U.S.F.S. Road 101) downstream to its confluence with the South Fork of Rock Creek in Carbon County.

(iii) The following areas shall be closed to the taking of Marten.

(A) All lands within the Pole Mountain Unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest in Albany County.

Section 5. Common Season Boundary. Wherever a stream or river forms a boundary between two (2) trapping areas with differing seasons for the same furbearing animal, the stream or river channel proper shall open for trapping on the earliest opening date and close on the latest closing date of the two (2) seasons involved.

Section 6. Limited Quota Furbearing Animal Trapping Area Permits. Limited quota trapping areas shall be open only to the person(s) who possesses a furbearing animal trapping permit for the limited quota trapping area and a furbearing animal trapping license. Only the holder of a permit for a limited quota trapping area(s) shall be allowed to trap the limited quota area for the designated species during the trapping season for which the permit is valid. Permit holders shall be determined by a random computer selection.

(a) Application for Limited Quota Furbearing Animal Trapping Permits. Applications shall be available from Wyoming Game and Fish Department Regional Offices, the Cheyenne Headquarters Office and game wardens. Any qualified person may submit one (1) application for a limited quota trapping area drawing and may list as many as three (3) choices.

(b) When trapping, each permit holder shall present his permit and a valid Wyoming furbearing animal trapping license for inspection upon request to any law enforcement officer empowered to enforce these regulations.

(c) Application Date. Applications shall be submitted on a form provided by the Department to the Headquarters Office from July 1 through September 1.

(d) Drawing. Only correct and complete applications received in the Headquarters Office during the application dates shall be entered in the random computer selection. Successful applicants shall be notified by mail.

(e) Leftover Limited Quota Trapping Area Permits. After the regular drawing, applicants may apply for limited quota trapping area permits not issued in the drawing for limited quota furbearing animal trapping areas. Applicants shall apply to the Headquarters Office. Permits shall be issued in the order the applications are processed or until quotas are reached. Submission of an application either through the mail or hand delivered shall not guarantee a permit

Section 7. Authorization to Trap.

(a) Any person holding a valid Wyoming furbearing animal trapping license shall be authorized to trap furbearing animals in any trapping area specified in the current trapping regulations, excluding those species within

15 limited quota furbearing animal trapping areas requiring a limited quota furbearing animal trapping permit as specified in this regulation and excluding closed areas in Section 4(b) of this regulation.

(b) Individuals issued limited quota furbearing animal trapping permits shall contact the game warden listed on the notice for instructions prior to taking furbearing animals authorized by this permit in the limited quota furbearing animal trapping areas.

Section 8. Trap and Snare Specifications.

(a) All snares used for furbearing or predatory animals shall be equipped with a break-away device located at the point of the snare lock;

(b) Break-away devices shall release at two hundred ninety-five (295) pounds of pressure or less;

(d) Snares shall be solidly anchored to ensure the break-away device properly functions to release at two hundred ninety-five (295) pounds of pressure or less, and;

(i) Snares shall not be anchored to any wire of a fence.

(ii) Snares shall not be anchored to any moveable object such as a drag.

(e) A quick-kill body-grip trap having a jaw measurement of ten (10) inches or greater when measured vertically at its widest part of the jaw shall not be set, other than on private land, unless the bottom of the quick-kill body-grip trap is partially submerged in water when set.

Section 9. Check Period for Leg-Hold Traps, Live Traps, Snares and Quick-Kill Body-Grip Traps.

(a) All leg-hold traps and live traps shall be checked by the owner a minimum of once during each seventy-two (72) hour period.

(b) All snares and quick-kill body-grip traps shall be checked by the owner a minimum of one time each week, except during the initial week the snares or quick-kill body-grip traps were set.

Section 10. Mandatory Bobcat Registration. All bobcats harvested in Wyoming shall be registered with the Department by the person taking the bobcat, regardless of the final disposition of the pelt or unskinned carcass. Bobcat pelts may be registered throughout the bobcat season, but registration of pelts shall end at 5:00 p.m. on March 11 of each year. If the registration deadline date occurs on a weekend when the Department Regional Offices are closed, bobcat pelts may be registered on the next business day until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The properly licensed trapper shall present the pelt or unskinned carcass in an unfrozen condition to a game warden or a Department Regional Office. It shall be unlawful to possess an untagged green bobcat pelt after the registration period expires.

(a) Before a Wyoming bobcat tag shall be issued, the person taking a bobcat shall provide to the Department at the time of registration, the age and sex of the bobcat, the number of the Department’s bobcat management area in which the bobcat was taken, the date the bobcat was taken, the number of traps that were set, and the number of days traps were set or days hunted with a firearm (i.e. trapping or harvest effort).

(b) A Wyoming bobcat tag shall be attached to the pelt or unskinned carcass by an employee of the Department. Wyoming bobcat tags shall be issued free of charge.

(c) Any person who makes a false statement on the registration form shall be in violation of this regulation and shall be punishable as provided by Title 23, Wyoming Statutes for violation of Commission regulations.

Section 11. Trapping of Non-target Wildlife; Disposition of Furbearing Animals at the Trap Site.

(a) All big or trophy game animals, game birds, protected animals or protected birds that are trapped shall be released unharmed.

(b) If a big or trophy game animal, game bird, protected animal or raptor is trapped and has been injured in such a way that the injury may result in death of the animal or if the animal has been killed, the trapper shall notify a Department law enforcement officer as soon as is reasonably possible.

(c) Furbearing animals that are trapped during a closed season shall be released unharmed. If a furbearing animal is caught during a closed season and injured in such a way that may result in death of the animal or if the furbearing animal has been killed, the trapper shall notify a Department law enforcement officer as soon as is reasonably possible.

(d) Furbearing animals legally taken shall be either killed at the trap site or immediately released to the wild. If the trapper holds both a furbearing animal trapping license and a license to capture furbearing animals for domestication, the furbearing animals do not have to be killed at the trap site.

Section 12. Use of Dogs. Persons possessing a valid furbearing animal trapping license may use dogs to take bobcats during the bobcat hunting or trapping season.

Section 13. Trap Identification Numbers. All traps and snares used for furbearing or predatory animals shall be permanently marked or tagged with the name and address of the owner or the trap identification number assigned to the owner by the Department.

(a) A person may apply for a trap identification number from the Department. Each individual shall be issued only one (1) trap identification number for the life of the trapper. Trap identification numbers shall be transferable from one (1) person to another only upon completion of an application and approval by the Department.

(b) Trap identification numbers shall consist of the prefix WY, followed by the last two (2) digits of the calendar year in which the number is issued, followed by a number generated by the Department. A hyphen shall separate the three (3) portions of the number. For example, the first trap identification number issued in calendar year 2001 shall be WY-01-001. Numbers shall be legible, at least one-eighth (1/8) inch in height and affixed to traps in such a manner as to read left to right. The trap identification number shall be stamped on the trap or on a metal tag that is affixed to the trap.

(c) Application for a trap identification number shall include the full name and complete home address of the applicant and shall be submitted on a form provided by the Department. Applications shall be submitted to the Wildlife Division, at the Headquarters Office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

(d) Any person who has obtained a trap identification number shall notify the Department by telephoning (307) 777-4686 within thirty (30) days of any change in address.

WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION

By: ______Charles C. Price, President

Dated: July 10, 2015

ATTACHMENT 2 – TERRESTRIAL FURBEARER AND BOBCAT MANAGEMENT AREAS

2015

ATTACHMENT 3 – AGE AND SEX COMPOSITION OF BOBCAT HARVEST IN WYOMING SINCE 2002 1

2002-03 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 79 874 163 1116 60.8% N=1847 female 114 528 78 720 39.2% unknown 0 1 10 11 — total 193 1403 251 1847 — % 1 12.1% 87.9% — — 100%

2003-04 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 166 1068 48 1282 59.4% N=2165 female 167 686 23 876 40.6% unknown 1 1 5 7 — total 334 1755 76 2165 — % 1 16.0% 84.0% — — 100%

2004-05 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 259 1534 51 1844 61.3% N=3025 female 230 905 31 1166 38.7% unknown 4 4 7 15 — total 493 2443 89 3025 — % 1 16.8% 83.2% — — 100%

2005-06 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 252 1602 138 1992 63.0% N=3179 female 236 879 57 1172 37.0% unknown 3 7 5 15 — total 491 2488 200 3179 — % 1 16.5% 83.5% — — 100%

2006-07 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 309 1,878 — 2,187 60.5% N=3617 female 292 1,138 — 1,430 39.5% unknown — — — — — total 601 3,016 — 3,617 — % 1 16.6% 83.4% — — 100%

2007-08 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 199 1,613 — 1,812 59.7% N=3036 female 245 979 — 1,224 40.3% unknown — — — — — total 444 2,592 — 3,036 — % 1 14.6% 85.4% — — 100%

2008-09 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 175 1,616 — 1,791 60.1% N=2978 female 186 1001 — 1,187 39.9% unknown — — — — — total 361 2,617 — 2,978 — % 1 12.1% 87.9% — — 100%

2009-10 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 68 873 — 941 58.5% N=1609 female 101 567 — 668 41.5% unknown — — — — — total 169 1,440 — 1,609 — % 1 10.5% 89.5% — — 100%

2010-11 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 111 818 — 929 57.8% N=1606 female 119 558 — 677 42.2% unknown — — — — — total 230 1,376 — 1,606 — % 1 14.3% 85.7% — — 100%

2011-12 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 94 981 — 1075 57.3% N=1875 female 113 687 — 800 42.7% unknown — — — — — total 207 1,668 — 1,875 — % 1 11% 89% — — 100%

2012-13 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 160 890 — 1050 56.1% N=1872 female 139 683 — 822 43.9% unknown — — — — — total 299 1,573 — 1,872 — % 1 15.9% 84.1% — — 100%

2013-14 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 93 831 — 924 58.8% N=1571 female 107 540 — 647 41.2% unknown — — — — — total 200 1,371 — 1,571 — % 1 12.7% 87.3% — — 100%

2014-15 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 75 583 — 658 57.7% N=1140 female 89 393 — 482 42.3% unknown — — — — — total 164 976 — 1,140 — % 1 14.4% 85.6% — — 100%

2015-16 Sex kitten adult Unk Total % 1 male 83 659 — 742 63.7% N=1164 female 96 326 — 422 36.3% unknown — — — — — total 179 985 — 1,164 — % 1 15.4% 84.6% — — 100%

1 Percent composition excludes “unknown” categories.

ATTACHMENT 4 – TAGGING RECORD FORM USED TO INTERVIEW TRAPPERS AND COLLECT EFFORT DATA.

TODAY’S DATE: ______G&F EMPLOYEE: ______(First & Last) (Complete a separate form each time a trapper reports bobcat harvest and for each management area hunted or trapped)

TRAPPER/HUNTER RECORD: Please Double check license number & Spelling of Name FIRST LAST NAME NAME M.I. Nonresident Resident LICENSE License License NUMBER

In what management area were the bobcats harvested? (check one) (Fill out a separate form for each area hunted or trapped, record the applicable data, then staple this trapper/hunters forms together)

Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 See Bobcat Management Area Map included in Notebook

Is this the first time you have tagged pelts this season? Yes No

Indicate the method of take: Traps (Complete Questions1-3) Firearm (Complete Questions 4-5) (If both methods of take were used for this area complete Harvest Record questions 1-5 below)

HARVEST RECORD: Since the last time you had pelts tagged this season: 1. How many trap sets capable of catching bobcats did you put out? No. Traps (NOTE: Two or more traps in a single set are considered one trap set).

2. How many days did you set the above number of traps in this area? No. Days

3. How many bobcats did you harvest with the above number traps in this area? No. Bobcats

Firearm Harvest if Applicable: 4. How many days did you hunt bobcats with a firearm in this area? No. Days

5. How many bobcats did you harvest with a firearm in this area? No. Bobcats

TAGGING RECORD: Complete (Tag Prefix, Tag No., Sex, Age, Kill Date & Method of Take) for Each Tag Issued.

Tag Tag Sex Age Method of Take Prefix No. Female Male Adult Juv. Kill Date Traps Firearm

Continuation of Tagging Record

Tag Tag Sex Age Method of Take Prefix No. Female Male Adult Juv. Kill Date Traps Firearm