How To Avoid Incidental Take of Lynx, While Trapping or Hunting Bobcats and other Furbearers
Some modifications specific to Maine were made to this USFWS/IAFWA publication by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) with permission from USFWS/IAFWA.
The purpose of this publication is to help reduce injury and mortality to the Threatened Canada lynx population in the contiguous United States, which may occur as a result of hunting or trapping bobcats and other furbearers. This pamphlet was produced as a joint effort between the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA).
The mission of the USFWS is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
The IAFWA governmental members include the fish and wildlife agencies of the states, provinces, and federal governments of the U.S. and Canada. All 50 states are members. The IAFWA has been a key organization in promoting sound resource management and strengthening federal, state, and private cooperation in protecting and managing fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest.
Acknowledgements
Primary authors Howard Golden, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Tom Krause, National Trappers Association, wish to recognize the significant efforts of Gordon R. Batcheller, New York State Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources and Lori Nordstrom, USFWS Montana Field Office. Additionally, the input received from the following reviewers was greatly appreciated:
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| Jerry Apker |
Daryl Lutz |
John Organ |
| Ted N. Bailey |
Donny Martorello |
Gina Patton |
| Ed Bangs |
George Matula |
Bill J. Paul |
| Ed Boggess |
Mark McCollough |
Tim F. Reis |
| Larry D. Cooper |
Scott McLellan |
Kim Royar |
| Shannon Crowley |
Wayne Melquist |
Adam D. Vashon |
| Larry Dickerson |
Carter Niemeyer |
Jennifer Vashon |
| John Erb |
John Olson |
Donald J. Wilda |
| Brian Giddings |
Paul O'Neil |
Mike Wolfe |
| Walter Jakubas |
Eric Orff |
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©Corel Corp.
How to Avoid Incidental Take of Lynx
While Trapping or Hunting Bobcats and other Furbearers
Canada lynx were listed by the USFWS as Threatened in the contiguous United States under the Endangered Species Act on March 24, 2000. As such, harvesting lynx is no longer permitted in any state except Alaska. In the contiguous United States, lynx may occur in Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Harvest of bobcats and other furbearers, whether by trapping or hunting, is not affected by this ruling. However, trappers and hunters must use every reasonable effort to avoid taking lynx where they may occur in the contiguous 48 states.
Lynx are very similar in appearance and habits to bobcats, and their range overlaps with them and other furbearer species. Therefore it is important for trappers and hunters to know how to distinguish lynx from bobcats, to recognize their preferred habitat types, and to avoid capturing or harvesting lynx. Trappers must also learn what to do if a lynx is caught incidentally.
Identifying Characteristics and Background Information
Description
Lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcats (Lynx rufus) are medium-sized wild cats. Adult males are usually larger than females in both species. Bobcats are usually heavier than lynx; however, lynx may appear larger due to longer legs and larger feet. Bobcats weights range from 12 - 68 pounds (average 28 lbs) for males and 9 - 34 pounds (average 15 lbs) for females. Lynx weights range from 16 - 31 pounds (average 24 lbs) for males and 16 - 23 pounds (average 20 lbs) for females.
Lynx have ear tufts and facial ruffs on their cheeks that are larger and more prominent than those on bobcats. Ear tufts are usually longer than 1 inch on lynx but shorter than 1 inch on bobcats. Bobcat and lynx tails are approximately 4–6 inches long and match their pelt color except for the tip (about the last inch). The tip of the tail on bobcats is usually black only on the upper side whereas on lynx the entire tip is black.
Bobcat pelts may be light gray, yellowish brown, buff, brown, or reddish brown and streaked or spotted with black or dark brown. Under portions of the body are white with black spots and with black bars on the fore legs. Lynx generally have more gray and less red in their pelts than bobcats and the belly fur is grayish-white or buff-white with mottled, indistinct black spots.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Belly Markings
In contrast to the western United States and New Brunswick, bobcats in Maine are more difficult to distinguish from lynx based on pelt color. Lynx (left) spots are slightly more mottled than bobcat (right) spots and belly hair is generally not as white as bobcat's. Bobcats have more red and brown coloration to their coats.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Note the foot size and color differences between lynx (left) and bobcat (right).
©Tom Krause
Lynx tails appear much the same when viewed from the top (top) or bottom (bottom). The lynx tail tip is completely black all around, while bobcat tails show black bars with a white tip when viewed from above (top) and show a lot of white underneath (bottom).©Tom Krause
The hind legs of both bobcats and lynx are longer than their front legs, which helps them to spring and catch prey. However, the hind legs are even more disproportionately large on lynx, causing them to have a “stooped” appearance. Lynx also have much larger feet than bobcats.
©Tom Krause
Bobcats usually have ear tufts shorter than 1 inch.
©Tom Krause
Heavily furred bobcats might appear lynx-like, with significant ear tufts and facial ruffs.
©RJ & Linda Miller Photography
Lynx usually have ear tufts longer than 1 inch and more distinct facial ruffs.
Sign
In deep snow, lynx tracks are generally less distinct than bobcat tracks, since lynx toe pads are not visible as a result of abundant foot hair. However, in wet or compacted snow, lynx toe pads are visible, which can be confused with bobcat tracks. In these situations, stride or track size will help discern lynx from bobcat. Back feet often follow in the front foot tracks of both species. When walking, the stride (distance between footprints of the opposite foot) is 6 – 14 inches for bobcats and 11 – 18 inches for lynx. Both bobcat and lynx track trails tend to “wander” compared with the more straight-line patterns of wild canids (foxes, coyotes, and wolves). Lynx and bobcats travel and hunt with a deliberate and methodical walking pattern, rarely bounding unless chasing prey.
©Mark Elbroch
A set of lynx tracks in snow.
©Mark Elbroch
A set of bobcat tracks in snow.
In dirt, lynx tracks are approximately 3 1/4 - 3 ¾ inches long and 3 - 3 3/8 inches wide and in snow up to 5½ inches long and 5½ inches wide.
In dirt, bobcat tracks are approximately 17/8 - 2½ inches long and 17/8 - 2 5/8 inches wide and in snow up to 2½ inches long and 2½ inches wide. Both bobcats and lynx have 4 toe pads on the front and hind feet. Claw marks typically do not show as they do with canids.
©Mark Elbroch
Left: Canada lynx walking in deep, fluffy snow.
Right: Canada lynx walking in shallow snow.
Life History and Diet
Lynx normally breed between March and April while bobcats breed between February and March.
The snowshoe hare is by far the most important prey item for lynx. The availability of hares largely controls lynx abundance across most of their range. Other prey species important to lynx are red squirrels, mice, other rodents, and birds. Bobcat diet consists of snowshoe hare, mice, other rodents, birds, and deer.
Habitat Preferences
Lynx and bobcats prefer areas with high prey abundance and dense understory vegetation. Habitat types preferred by lynx range from mature coniferous forests to coniferous or mixed forests that are regenerating. Forests that are growing back after fire or logging often provide excellent food and cover for hares, and therefore attract lynx. It is extremely rare for lynx to be found in meadows, pastures, or farmland habitats. Bobcats use similar habitats as lynx, but are also commonly found in meadows, pastures, farmland, mixed and hardwood forests. Both lynx and bobcats seem to use the convenience of logging roads in forests to aid travel.
Distribution
Lynx are found in northern and western Maine, and rare or absent in central and coastal areas. Bobcats are more common in western, central, and downeast Maine and rarer in northern Maine as a result of increased snow depths.
Trapping Methods to Help Avoid Catching Lynx
Coyotes and foxes often use the same habitats as lynx. Incidental captures of lynx can be reduced by using a proper-sized foothold trap. Number 2 coilspring or number 1.75 coilspring traps help discriminate against lynx captures due to a relatively small trap-jaw spread. However, these sized traps maintain excellent efficiency for bobcats, foxes, and coyotes. Use of padded traps or traps with offset jaws can reduce injury.
To avoid lynx while trapping bobcats, trap sets should be made where bobcats are known to exist. Making trap sets near existing bobcat tracks is often successful because bobcats often reuse the same travel patterns within their territories. Trap set locations that tend to avoid lynx include open meadows, pastures, and crop lands. Lynx rarely use agricultural lands and generally prefer to hunt and travel in forested or brushy areas.
Trap sets that are effective for bobcats also appeal to lynx. Lures and baits that appeal to one species appeal to the other as well. Visible baits of rabbits, hares, or parts of rabbits or hares should not be used if lynx may frequent the area. Flags or other suspended sight-attractants (such as bird wings, feathers, pieces of fur, etc.) should not be used near the traps if lynx may be present.
All types of foothold traps should be staked solidly to prevent animals from harming themselves by entangling around trees or brush. Trap attachment chains should be less than 9 1/2” and equipped with at least two swivels. All chains should be attached at the center of the trap frame.
Lynx often avoid traps set for foxes and coyotes when the traps are placed in open fields. The use of tainted rather than fresh meat baits also tends not to attract lynx while still providing significant attraction to coyotes and foxes.
Whenever a lynx frequents an area, traps should not be set in the vicinity. If lynx tracks are observed in the vicinity of a conibear set, the trap should be removed.
B.Giddings, Montana FWP
Leaning poles for marten and fisher should be less than
4 inches
in
diameter and set at a 45-degree angle or greater.
Marten and fisher often use the same habitat as lynx. To avoid lynx in marten or fisher sets, baits and traps should be placed on leaning poles at least 4 feet above the ground or snow level. Leaning poles should be as small as possible (no larger than 4 inches in diameter) as this is adequate for marten or fisher, yet discourages lynx from climbing to investigate the elevated trap set. Leaning poles should be set at a 45 degree angle or greater.
Bobcat Hunting Methods to Help Avoid Taking Lynx
Tracks should be closely examined and measured before any trailing dogs are released. (See “Sign” section, page 10). Any treed bobcat should carefully be identified and confirmed as not being a lynx before it is harvested. A treed lynx should be abandoned immediately with harnessed dogs in tow.
If predator calls are used in areas lynx may frequent, it is essential to identify and confirm any responding animals to assure a lynx is not shot. Since it may be difficult or impossible to positively identify a moving or partially hidden animal as a lynx or bobcat, it is best not to shoot at all whenever positive identity is unknown.
Reducing Mortality and Injuries to Incidentally Captured Lynx
Please contact your local game warden or state fish and wildlife office listed on page 18 for help in releasing a lynx from a trap. If you cannot reach MDIFW personnel, please release the animal as soon as possible using recommendations outlined as follows.
A catchpole should be used to allow safe release of any unintended animal captures. Care should be taken to approach any trapped animals slowly to avoid their excessive movement. A trapped lynx will allow the catchpole loop to be placed over its head, but it can be expected to react when the loop is tightened.
B.Gidding, Montana FWP
Use of a catchpole to release any lynx taken incidental to harvests of other furbearers.
Tighten the catchpole loop sufficiently to immobilize the lynx without cutting off its air supply.
Then quickly remove the trap and release the catchpole loop.
Tighten the catchpole loop only sufficiently to hold the lynx securely without preventing its ability to breathe. It is important to keep the head of the lynx pinned to the ground so that the front end of the body is restrained. Once the head is down, quickly place a foot, with light pressure only, on the hindquarters to restrain the rear legs. Once the lynx is restrained, a canvas can be placed over the animal to calm it as the trap is removed quickly. Securely hold the catchpole until the loop is relaxed and the animal has been freed.
If a catchpole is not available, an alternative method to release lynx is to cut a strong forked stick to allow the pinning of the lynx’s neck and shoulder to the ground while the trap is removed.
Never attempt to render a trapped lynx unconscious with a blow to the nose or head or by any other means. Life threatening injury to the lynx may result.
Care should be taken at all times when releasing a lynx because they are capable of injuring the trapper with their teeth or claws. Always be aware a trapped lynx may try to kick at you with claws extended on any foot. Wearing thick gloves to release trapped animals is always wise.
Reporting Incidentally Captured Lynx
We are studying lynx by radiocollaring individuals and monitoring their movements, behavior, and habitat use. If you incidentally capture a lynx, this animal could provide valuable information.
We would like to mark all incidentally captured lynx with eartags and radiocollar them, if possible. Please contact your local MDIFW office or the Bangor office for assistance with releasing a lynx (see below). During the trapping season, a number will also be available after business hours: 207-592-4734.
If you cannot reach MDIFW personnel, release the animal as soon as possible. We would appreciate you providing us with the location of capture and whether the animal was marked with eartags and/or a radiocollar.
Bangor - 207-941-4466
Ashland - 207-435-3231
Greenville - 207-695-3750
Enfield - 207-732-4132
Houlton State Police - 1-800-924-2261
Orono State Police - 1-800-432-7381
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Lynx: Note long eartufts, large feet, and completely black-tipped tail.
Roger W. Barbour
Bobcat: Note shorter eartufts, smaller feet, and tail coloration.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Lynx and Bobcat
Quick Reference
How to Avoid Incidental Take of Lynx
While Trapping or Hunting Bobcats and Other Furbearers
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| |
Lynx |
Bobcat |
| Ear tufts & facial ruff |
ear tufts are generally>1" larger facial ruffs with black banding at outer edges |
ear tufts are generally<1" smaller facial ruffs with less distinct banding |
| Pelt color |
belly fur grayish-white or buff-white with mottled, indistinct spots |
belly fur white with distinct black spots |
| Tail color |
generally matches body color except the tip (about the last 1") entire tip is black |
usually has dark bars and a black tip (about the last 1") but only black on upper isde and is white on underside |
| Feet |
feet large and snowshoe-like hind legs are longer than the front, giving a "stooped" appearance |
feet small and hind legs are not as long as lynx |
| Track size |
In dirt: up to 3 3/8" wide and 3 3/4" long. In snow: up to 5 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" long. stride: 11-18" |
In dirt: up to 2 5/8" wide x 2 1/2" long.
In snow: up to 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" long. stride: 6-14" |
Recommendations to Avoid Lynx in Trap Sets
- Do not set traps for bobcats where lynx tracks are observed or lynx are known to be present.
- Use a #2 or smaller trap
- Make marten and fisher sets on leaning poles no larger than 4" in diameter and set at a 45 (or greater) degree angle with trap and bait placed at least four feet above the ground or snow level.
- Do not suspend flags or sight-attractants near traps.
- Use tainted baits and avoid using parts of rabbits or hares as bait.
- Remove conibear traps if lynx tracks observed in vicinity of a set.
Preventing injury and Releasing Lynx from Traps
- Always be prepared (with restraining tools) to handle a lynx when trapping in lynx habitat.
- Stake the trap so that a lynx cannot get entangled around a solid object (even a small sapling) after being captured and keep catch circle clear of solid objects.
- Check conibear traps frequently.
- Trap attachment chains should be less than 9 1/2" and be equipped with at lease two swivels.
- Use of padded traps or traps with offset jaws can reduce injury.
- Use a catchpole to release a lynx taken incidentally to harvest or other furbearers or predators. Tighten the catchpole loop only sufficiently to restrain the lynx without cutting off its air supply. Then quickly remove the trap and release the catchpole loop.
