Area bobcat trapping season closes today

Bobcats in Northwest Montana can breathe a sigh of relief this Christmas, as the regional hunting and trapping season for the big cats will close tonight.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced the closure for Trapping District 1 on Wednesday. It includes portions of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Lewis & Clark, Mineral, Missoula, Powell and Sanders Counties.

As of Wednesday, 217 bobcats had been trapped in the district out of a quota of 275. It’s the first district in the state to close for bobcats.

All other furbearer quotas in the district have been reached, except for fishers. Only one has been harvested, out of a maximum of two.

For updated harvest information, call 1-800-711-8727.