1. Bobcat Trapping Warden Terry Mullen Fish and Game Commission Meeting April 9, 2015

2. Warden Terry Mullen Background/Education: 14 years Dept. Fish and Wildlife – Wildlife Officer Cal Poly Pomona, Declared Major: Zoology Minor: Criminology Experience: 5 Years San Bernardino Deputy Sheriff/Helicopter Pilot 10 years Aerospace Technician B-2 Stealth Bomber 13 years U.S. Army Warrant Officer Helicopter Pilot

3. Presentation Overview Discuss current wildlife officer enforcement of bobcat trapping laws and associated challenges Illegal leg-hold trap and snare cases Basic trapping industry information Possible effects of banning bobcat trapping for both partial-ban and full ban on law enforcement 3

4. Trapping Laws: California No “leg-hold”/body-gripping traps may be used in California. Only “live” box traps may be used Trappers must check the trap daily

5. Current Bobcat Trapping Enforcement What to look for: –Habitat

6. Current Bobcat Trapping Enforcement: a refined enforcement technique Skill set cannot be taught in a classroom environment Difficult to find trap sets until a wildlife officer knows what to look for Once the officer understands the bobcat, where they live, and where they are trapped, locating trap sets becomes easier

7. Rocky hillsides provide bobcats with opportunities to climb up, look around, locate, stalk and ambush prey

8. Trappers will trap “points”. Points are ridges which intersect a flat area, such as a sandy wash A bobcat in a trap was found in a desert wash 400 yards from this location. See the “point” on the left

9. Bobcats hunt around rocks and quail brush Current Bobcat Trapping Enforcement

10. The dead vegetation on top of this trap was “out of place”. Trap was found by observing signs associated with trappers

11. Where’s the trap?

14. Trap is located “in the shadow” of the bush. Wildlife officers vary the time of day of patrols, morning, noon and twilight to get a different look. In the morning (No shadow) this trap is more visible.

15. Challenges of bobcat trapping enforcement Trappers are often successful in trapping by observing signs on the ground –Wildlife Officers must keep in mind the signs they might leave behind –Cannot rely solely on trail cameras as trappers usually discover them

16. Daily Trap Check Wildlife Officer looks for signs of “daily” trap check visits Observations of multiple impressions of similar tire tread patterns on dirt roads 16

17. Leg-hold and snare cases Box trapping is effective enough to make it economical and not worth the risk of getting caught with illegal traps Unlawful trappers may transition to leg- holds and snares in areas anywhere bobcat trapping is banned The same unlawful activity may take place in closed areas under the partial ban

18. Cost per bobcat pelt 2014-15 Season Average price $600 Price for high quality pelt $1,200 Record price for season $2,100 2009-10 season average price was $540

19. Bobcat Export Tag

20. Export Tag Report This form is used by the Wildlife Officer while tagging the bobcats. Most trappers maintain “notes” indicating date and location of a trapped bobcat. Once the officer completes the form it is returned to Regional Headquarters enforcement administrative support personnel. Wildlife Management in Sacramento maintains the Trapping Report. If a trapper fails to return the form their trapping license may be revoked If a trapper takes no bobcats, then a “negative declaration” shall be submitted.

21. Draft 2/12/2015 Original proposed closure zones Draft 2/12/2015 Complicated multi-zonal closure would require intensive enforcement effort.

22. Current proposed closures Extensive increase in closed area will reduce enforcement effort compared to original proposed multi-zonal closure on previous slide

23. Under a partial or complete bobcat trapping ban Lawful trappers may fade away or work in other states Unlawful trappers in California may transition to illegal leg hold traps and snares, which are very difficult to find Leg-holds and snares are cheaper and commonly used in greater numbers than box traps

24. Intelligence indicates unlawful trappers may be waiting for a ban to go into effect –No competition or a significant reduction in competition –Some may believe they will be able to use leg- hold traps and snares with impunity –Former lawful trappers may be absent from the field and unable to provide tips to wildlife officers wherever trapping bobcats is banned –Many successful cases come from lawful trappers who provide tips. A partial or complete ban of bobcat trapping may remove these “knowledgeable eyes and ears” from the field Under a partial or complete bobcat trapping ban

25. Leg-holds and snares Marked by GPS coordinates Leg-holds and snares may be checked by “glassing” from a distance No more “daily” mandatory trap check requirements if a complete ban is implemented Very difficult to effectively patrol with marked green patrol truck which may require extensive undercover operations Partial or complete bobcat trapping ban

26. Probability of bobcats sold on the black market by hunters who posses a hunting license and a recreational bobcat hunting tag may increase Unlawful trappers may launder their illegally taken California bobcats through accomplices in other states. Spotlighting bobcats may increase Under a partial or complete bobcat trapping ban

27. Warden Terry Mullen CDFW Law Enforcement Division Questions