JO DAVIESS COUNTY, Ill. — 370 bobcats were hunted or trapped this season in Illinois, which is a small jump from last year's total of 367.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, 214 bobcats were hunted, while trapping accounted for 156 of bobcats reported. 19 were salvaged (i.e. road kill) by permit holders.
Hunters in Jo Daviess County reported 19 bobcats — the most in the state.
The Illinois DNR says they have had people confuse bobcats with domestic animals, such as cats or dogs. Bobcats can be distinguished through their shorter tail and height, averaging about two feet tall. They also have longer bodies.
"They're recluse. They're kind of a secretive animal," Audrey Hoftender with the DNR said. "A lot of times they're gonna see somebody before they see the bobcat. They're gonna be found in your woodland areas."
While it's rare to encounter a bobcat, Hoftender says the best thing to do is give them distance and make loud noises. Lights will also distract the animal.
If you would like to hunt or trap bobcats, you must apply for a permit ahead of each hunting season, which runs from mid-November through mid-February.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel