WASHINGTON — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that as of September 1, small game hunters and trappers will be required to submit the lower jaw of any bobcat that is caught.
This rule follows an update finalized by the WDFW's most recent season-setting process as part of the mandatory pelt sealing process.
The WDFW says the lower jaws will be used to determine the age of bobcats being hunted during the season.
“WDFW will now collect the lower jaw from bobcats harvested in Washington so we can use the canine teeth to determine the age structure of harvested bobcats and track changes over time,” said Stephanie Landry, the WDFW carnivore, furbearer and small game section manager. “Bobcat canine teeth cannot be removed as easily as the teeth of other species, which is why the bobcat’s entire lower jaw must be submitted.”
The WDFW says the data collected during pelt sealing, including the age of harvested bobcats, will allow the organization to manage the state’s future bobcat populations more effectively.
The WDFW says small game pelts must be sealed by April 20, 2025.
For more information, hunters and trappers should refer to the latest season and regulation information and refer to the small game section.
The WDFW also has resources to aid hunters and trappers in complying with new requirements, including instructions on how to remove the lower jaw and how to request the return of your bobcat jaw after the WDFW removes the canines.
These resources are available on WDFW’s website.
Hunters and trappers may also contact WDFW at wildthing@dfw.wa.gov or by calling 360-902-2515.
