Bobcat Hunting

December 5, 2019

Question: I’ve heard bobcat season was cancelled this year. I bought a tag. So, you’re telling me I can’t use it to hunt bobcats? (Shawn)

Answer: Bobcat season was not cancelled, but it is closing sooner than originally planned. Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1254 (Kamlager-Dove, Chapter 766, Statutes of 2019), bobcat hunting will be prohibited in California beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The change was enacted through the legislative process, not the Fish and Game Commission.

All bobcat tags will expire on Dec. 31, 2019. Bobcat tag fees are not refundable. If you have a bobcat tag, you may still hunt bobcats until Dec. 31. They are also still available to purchase but understand the season will close Dec. 31. CDFW is working to notify hunters who have already purchased bobcat tags of the statutorily mandated change.