THE PROBLEM: On April 3-4, 2000, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will consider a proposed bobcat hunting and trapping season. If passed, the Game Commission will issue 290 permits in north and north-central Pennsylvania for the 2000-2001 hunting and trapping season. Bobcats, who have been protected for more than 30 years in the state, are not overpopulated and are not causing any problems. The impetus behind the proposed bobcat season is simply due to the desires of hunters and trappers for recreational and commercial killing opportunities. In fact, there are only an estimated 3,000 bobcats in the entire state, and no recent population study has been completed. Without concrete population studies, any hunting and trapping season could threaten the viability of the state's bobcat population.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to voice opposition to the bobcat hunting and trapping season. ***See sample letter below.

Write to:

For more information, please contact Diana Norris at The Fund for Animals at dnorris@fund.org or
301-585-2591 x 211

March 14, 2000

Mr. Vernon Ross, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg,PA 17110-9797

Re: Bobcat hunting

Dear Mr. Ross:

As a concerned citizen, outdoors enthusiast and animal lover, I am writing to urge you to disallow hunting of bobcats in Pennsylvania. These are noble, beautiful creatures that do not deserve to be murdered in vain. Our wildlife is a valuable resource, not disposable goods to be sacrificed in the name of "entertainment" or "sport".

In addition, these particular animals are causing no threat to other life, human or otherwise, and there is no justifiable reason why they should be the targets of such brutality as is proposed for your state. This is an inhumane, offensive and unnecessary proposal. Also, without concrete population studies, any hunting and trapping season could threaten the future viability of the state's bobcat population. This is an unsound and ludicrous proposal that must be denied.

Please consider this matter seriously and act from your heart, mind and conscience. The targets in question are not inanimate objects – they are feeling, breathing, intelligent creatures with families, social systems and a right to live free from exploitation, pain and violent death. Thank you for your consideration of this issue.

Sincerely,

Christina J. Johnson