Fall and Winter Food Habits of Vermont Bobcats

Abstract

The bobcat (Lynx r. rufus) has a wide distribution in Vermont. Bounty claims indicate that the animal is well represented in the sparsely wooded farm sections of the southern part of the state as well as in the rugged forested slopes of the Green Mountains. Because of its supposed destruction to game species, a bounty has been maintained on the wildcat for a number of years. From 1927 to 1937 inclusive, bounties were paid on 2,415 bobcats, at an expense to the state of $20,095. During the years 1927 and 1928 an $8 bounty was paid; from 1929 to 1932 the bounty was increased to $10. This apparently focused attention on the profit to be derived from bobcat hunting and the numbers taken increased yearly until 1932, when 550 animals were offered for bounty. In 1933 the bounty was reduced to $5. This change was reflected in a marked decrease in the number of bounty claims, there being but 82 in 1933. The number of bounty claims has been increasing steadily, however, since then and has now risen to 160. Since little was known of the dietary habits of the bobcat in the northeast, it seemed desirable to gather such data as the opportunity afforded. Accordingly, in the fall of 1935, Hunter began collecting stomachs, taking weights and measurements, and enlisting the aid of game wardens in securing bobcats. Specimens were collected through succeeding years until April 1938. The stomachs were shipped to Hamilton, who examined them. A total of 143 animals were studied. Of this number, 2 were collected in October, 25 in November, 63 in December, 26 in January, 16 in February, 9 in March and 4 in April. Three stomachs were quite empty, leaving 140 specimens satisfactory for analysis. A brief review of the status of game animals on which the bobcat feeds may aid understanding of the findings. During the past five years, both hare and rabbit populations have been low, but are making slight gains and grouse have been fairly common. Deer were practically exterminated in Vermont in 1870. A few were introduced later and after a