Population Characteristics of Bobcats in Washington State

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Abstract
Age structures, sex ratios and reproductive status of 2 bobcat (F. rufus) populations in Washington state were determined by examination of 1238 bobcat carcasses. Carcasses were collected between Oct. and March from hunters and trappers from 1976 through 1980. Bobcat kittens (< 1 yr old) in the western Washington (WW) population showed a lower harvest mortality than would be expected from their proportion in the population. That average age increased in both populations for the latter 3 sample years was partially attributed to collection procedures in WW. The eastern Washington (EW) population age structure showed a high variability for the 4 yr examined. Low recruitment in EW occurred in the 1977 cohort. Sex ratios of the entire yearly samples did not differ from 1:1 males/female in either population. There was no evidence of reproductive activity in kittens from either population. Ninety-five percent of the yearlings (> 1 and < 2 yr old) in WW and 90% in EW had ovulated. Luteal bodies of previous cycles (LBPC) and pregnancy rate per yearlings averaged 4.0 and 40% in WW and 4.1 and 48% in EW. Average litter sizes of producing yearling females (based on placental scars) were 1.97 in WW and 2.80 in EW. Adult (> 2 yr old) females averaged 2.54 kittens/litter in WW and 2.79 in EW. Average age of bobcats killed by hunters in WW was 2.45 years compared to 2.79 for trapped specimens, and age decreased for both methods as the season progressed. Sex ratios were 1.31 for bobcats shot and 1.01 for those trapped. The proportion of males in the hunted samples increased from Nov. through Feb.

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