Rumors of bobcat season in IL?????

[lankrod]

Does anyone have any knowledge or rumors of a future bobcat season in Illinois? The last two years I've talked to Forest Service biologists who tell me they hear it should be "soon".  It can't be soon enough!!!!

I took a vacation day Wednesday, figuring it should be some good calling, after the front, and with some cooler weather.  Made quite a few stands, in areas that have produced in the past, but saw 0 coyotes.  I did call in 2 bobcats, on seperate stands.

The first cat showed up after a minute of calling, and stalked the JIB.  He ended up sitting about 3 feet from it.  I had borrowed an e-caller from one of my calling buddies, and I started switching sounds on it.  It didn't even phase the cat - he was just mesmorized by the rotating furball. It was pretty funny, and would have made some good footage for a video. 

The second cat showed up at dark, after a long stand, nearing 40 minutes.  Near dark, I did some howling, and got a conversation going with a couple of groups.  The JIB is still sitting in an opening running.  After nearly 10 minutes of off and on howling, I hear something trotting toward the JIB, and here comes mr. bobcat.  Who knows how long he had been sitting, out of sight, watching the decoy! I would GUESS at least 30 minutes.

I should start keeping some records, as I can recall at least 6 other cats this season that have been sighted within killing range.  Those are just the ones I can recall. 

Oh well - just had to vent!!  Any other Illinois hunters seeing a lot of cats?  It's REAL tempting to hunt TN side this year at LBL to try for a cat.

[FinsnFur]

Where you at in Illinois Lankrod? I'm assuming your pretty far south.
I'm just across your northern border and we have only rare occasional, unconfirmed sightings of cats.

[lankrod]

I'm in Southern Illlinios - a little town called Crab Orchard, about 6 miles East of Marion.  Just over an hour to the Northern part of LBL, and about an hour and a half from St. Louis.  Look forward to meeting you at LBL.