§ 147.701. General.
This section provides for permits to be issued for the hunting and trapping of bobcat during the season established and in areas designated under § 139.4 (relating to seasons and bag limits for the license year).
(1) A permit will only be issued to those who possess a valid furtakers license, junior combination license or senior combination license.
(2) Completed applications shall be submitted as determined by the Director. For the purpose of having a unique identifier assigned to each individual in the database, permitting a crosscheck for duplicates, applicants shall provide their Social Security number or hunter ID number on the application. A nonrefundable $5 application fee shall accompany the application.
(3) Applications shall be submitted in accordance with periods set by the Director.
(4) Only one application per person may be submitted. Anyone submitting more than one application for a permit will have all applications rejected.
(5) Current applicants with the maximum number of preference points as specified by the Director will automatically receive a bobcat harvest permit. The selection of additional permit applications will be made by random drawing from all eligible applications submitted. Incomplete, illegible or duplicate applications will not be included in the drawing. The drawing will be held at the Commission’s Harrisburg Headquarters on the second Friday in September and will be open to the public.
(6) A special permit authorizing the lawful taking of one bobcat will be delivered to successful applicants by standard first class mail through and by the United States Postal Service. Permits will be mailed by the first Friday in October. The total number of permits issued for the license year will be set by the Director no later than the first day of June.
(7) Tagging requirements are as follows:
(i) A permitted person taking a bobcat shall immediately, before removing the bobcat from the location of the taking, fully complete a temporary carcass tag furnished with the permit, which contains in English the person’s name, address, special permit number, date of harvest, county and township of harvest, wildlife management unit of harvest and method of harvest and attach the tag to the bobcat. The temporary carcass tag must remain attached to the animal until a permanent tag is provided. The permanent tag must be locked through the eyes of the pelt if it is to be exported beyond this Commonwealth.
(ii) A permitted person taking a bobcat shall report the harvest to the Commission within 48 hours of the taking by telephoning the number specified on the permit.
(iii) A permanent tag for a bobcat taken under authority of a special permit shall be in the persons’ possession and locked immediately upon receipt of the tag.
(iv) The tag shall remain attached to the bobcat until it is mounted, tanned, made into a commercial fur or prepared for consumption.
(8) An applicant issued a bobcat hunting-trapping permit is not permitted to apply for another bobcat hunting-trapping permit the next license year. Applications from current applicants who have applied in the 2003-2004 license year and proceeding years will be included in the drawing until the applicant is successfully drawn and issued a permit.
(9) A bobcat guide permit will be issued as follows:
(i) A person who assists another person to hunt or take bobcats in any manner shall first secure a bobcat guide permit from the Commission.
(ii) The fee for a bobcat guide permit is $10 for residents and $25 for nonresidents.
Authority