Great question! Bobcats, unlike feral hogs, are NOT invasive. They are native predators across much of North America, including my 123 acres in central Missouri.
I manage my land for recreation ... hunting, fishing, beekeeping, and wildlife habitat through practices like Timber Stand Improvement (TSI/FSI), edge feathering, pond/lake management, prescribed fires, 12 acre$ of food plot$, and 7 acres of native grasses and native prairie plants. These efforts have successfully created a thriving ecosystem.
However, without natural checks like large predators or historical fur trapping, bobcat and coyote populations have grown unchecked, except for the occasional roadkill. This can disrupt the balance we aim for on the property. Following guidance from my State of Missouri - Private Land Conservation Agent, I’ve implemented selective trapping to manage their numbers. The result ... healthier, larger animals due to less competition for food resources resulting in a balanced and vibrant wildlife population.
