WVDNR / WVU BOBCAT ECOLOGY PROJECT October 15, 2015 TO: West Virginia Hunters and Trappers SUBJECT: Carcass Collection Information

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1 Earl Ray Tomblin Governor DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES Wildlife Resources Section 324 4th Avenue South Charleston, West Virginia Telephone (304) Fax (304) Robert A. Fala Director WVDNR / WVU BOBCAT ECOLOGY PROJECT October 15, 2015 TO: West Virginia Hunters and Trappers SUBJECT: Carcass Collection Information Dear Trappers and Hunters, Included in this envelope is everything that you need to know about the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) and the West Virginia University BOBCAT ECOLOGY PROJECT. Bobcats in West Virginia have not been studied since the late 1970s. To better manage the population, WVDNR started a bobcat carcass collection, in cooperation with West Virginia University, to determine population dynamics and overall health of West Virginia bobcats. We are now entering our second and final year of carcass collection for the project. We are collecting a target goal of 300 bobcat carcasses from hunters and trappers across West Virginia over the trapping season. Biologists will use all internal organs and teeth from collected carcasses to determine age, reproductive success, parasite and disease prevalence, and diet habits of the West Virginia bobcat population. Results will help WVDNR to improve management decisions for the population using current estimates. You can receive a $20 GIFT CARD of your choice PER CARCASS submitted to the project in proper condition. If you are interested in helping out with this project, please review the bobcat carcass checklist before you go out hunting or trapping this season, as well as review the other information included in this packet for the carcass collection requirements. For WVDNR to continue managing bobcat hunting and trapping in West Virginia, your participation is vital. We urge you to contact other West Virginia bobcat trappers and hunters to get them involved with the project. For more information, please contact us at WVUBobcat@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) Thank you for your part in this cooperative effort. Sincerely, Stephanie Landry Graduate Research Assistant West Virginia University WVDNR Bobcat Ecology Project

2 BOBCAT COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS 1. WHILE COLLECTING THE BOBCAT FROM THE TRAP/KILL SITE Note the county of harvest. If possible, record GPS coordinates of the trap/kill location. Gather information such as nearby roads or addresses in order to tell us the closest description that you can if near county lines. population. Note the surrounding habitat and type of vegetation at the kill site. Take photo of area if possible. If a camera is not available, be prepared to check off a description that best describes the site. Freeze carcass as soon as possible within 12 hours! 2. AFTER SKINNING THE BOBCAT CARCASS The carcass should be in good condition for payment consideration. Good condition is as follows: Clean kill, frozen within 12 hours of kill, head/jaw included, and all major organs intact. Please keep skull attached to carcass. If you have to remove the skull from the carcass for a specific reason, you will need to remove the lower jaw from the skull using a hacksaw and place it in a plastic bag (see jaw removal page). Write the 13 digit game tag number associated with the jaw on the bag. Place entire carcass in a large trash bag. Place the carcass in the fetal position at the very bottom of the bag. Fold the bag around the carcass until closed tightly. Once folded, tape the bag closed and write the 13 digit game tag number on the tape with a permanent marker. Freeze carcass within 12 hours of kill to preserve samples! Fill out one of the provided information sheets to the best of your ability. This will be required for payment consideration. Call your local WVDNR biologist as soon as possible (see map for regional biologist list). A biologist will meet with you to collect the carcass and completed information sheet. Make sure that the 13 digit game tag number is labeled on all items. You will receive the game tag number from the WVDNR electronic licensing system. NOTE: The game tag number is NOT your hunting license number. Contact WVUBobcat@mail.wvu.edu, call (304) (ask for Stephanie), or call your local WVDNR office for more information.

3 JAW REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRAPPERS MOUNTING THEIR BOBCATS IF YOU ARE KEEPING THE SKULL SEPARATE FROM THE CARCASS FOR A SPECIFIC REASON, THEN WE ARE REQUIRING THAT YOU SEND US THE ENTIRE LOWER JAW OR THE PORTION DENOTED BELOW AT MINIMUM. TAXIDERMISTS USUALLY USE ARTIFICIAL TEETH ON OPEN-MOUTHED MOUNTS. IF ARTIFICIAL TEETH WILL BE USED, SAW OFF THE LOWER JAW PORTION AS ILLUSTRATED BELOW. USE HACKSAW ON DOTTED LINE = TYPICAL SIZE OF CANINE ROOT SEND IN THIS PORTION THE MOST RELIABLE WAY TO AGE A BOBCAT IS BY SLICING THIN SECTIONS FROM THE ROOT OF THE LOWER CANINES. UNDER A MICROSCOPE, RINGS SIMILAR TO THOSE ON A TREE STUMP CAN BE COUNTED TO DETERMINE THE BOBCAT S AGE. WE NEED TO KNOW THE AGE COMPOSITION OF THE BOBCAT POPULATION IN ORDER TO ESTIMATE SURVIVAL AND RECRUITMENT. CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA S BOBCAT POPULATION IS NECESSARY TO MANAGE THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE.

4 Contact your district biologist when you have your carcass and information sheet ready for pickup. DISTRICT WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS DISTRICT 1 Steve Rauch (304) DISTRICT 2 Rich Rogers (304) DISTRICT 3 Rob Silvester (304) DISTRICT 4 Todd Dowdy (304) DISTRICT 5 Kem Shaw (304) DISTRICT 6 Jeff McCrady (304) OPERATIONS (ELKINS, WV) Gary Foster (304)

5 13 DIGIT GAME TAG NUMBER: Trapper/Hunter Information Sheet Trapper/Hunter Information: Name: Address: Phone: _ NOTE: Please provide accurate information if you would like to receive payment for your carcass. Bobcat and Trap/Weapon Information: County of Kill: *Additional information encouraged (GIS coordinates, nearby roads or landmarks, etc.) Kill Area Site Description: (Please check all that apply) Forest: Pine Hardwood Shrubs Bare Understory Recent Clearcut Field: Pasture Cropland Strip Mine Hayfield Power line Other: Date of Trap/Kill: Weapon Used: Trap Gun Bow Crossbow Bobcat Gender: M F population. It will not be shared with any parties aside from WVDNR and West Virginia University. For WVDNR Biologist Only: Carcass Collection Information Biologist Name: Date Received: / / District:

6 13 DIGIT GAME TAG NUMBER: Trapper/Hunter Information Sheet Trapper/Hunter Information: Name: Address: Phone: _ NOTE: Please provide accurate information if you would like to receive payment for your carcass. Bobcat and Trap/Weapon Information: County of Kill: *Additional information encouraged (GIS coordinates, nearby roads or landmarks, etc.) Kill Area Site Description: (Please check all that apply) Forest: Pine Hardwood Shrubs Bare Understory Recent Clearcut Field: Pasture Cropland Strip Mine Hayfield Power line Other: Date of Trap/Kill: Weapon Used: Trap Gun Bow Crossbow Bobcat Gender: M F population. It will not be shared with any parties aside from WVDNR and West Virginia University. For WVDNR Biologist Only: Carcass Collection Information Biologist Name: Date Received: / / District:

7 13 DIGIT GAME TAG NUMBER: Trapper/Hunter Information Sheet Trapper/Hunter Information: Name: Address: Phone: _ NOTE: Please provide accurate information if you would like to receive payment for your carcass. Bobcat and Trap/Weapon Information: County of Kill: *Additional information encouraged (GIS coordinates, nearby roads or landmarks, etc.) Kill Area Site Description: (Please check all that apply) Forest: Pine Hardwood Shrubs Bare Understory Recent Clearcut Field: Pasture Cropland Strip Mine Hayfield Power line Other: Date of Trap/Kill: Weapon Used: Trap Gun Bow Crossbow Bobcat Gender: M F population. It will not be shared with any parties aside from WVDNR and West Virginia University. For WVDNR Biologist Only: Carcass Collection Information Biologist Name: Date Received: / / District: