Bobcat in NY

[NYboy]

My neighbor 2 houses over told me she found a bobcat watching her koi. What is so amazing is we are 1 1/2 miles from downton White Plains a large city. Coyotes have moved in years ago, now bobcats,I know people hate them, but I think its cool. Hope I get to see one.

 

[woodmort]

I posted a link to a newspaper story about a week ago about the increase in these animals in NYS. Actually they've been around in fairly good sized numbers for years but are so secretive you rarely see them. Good luck in spotting one--you have to be in the right place at the right time and looking in the right direction--in my 73 years I've done it--once. Seen plenty of tracks when hunting and fishing but only one cat. BTW, you live across the Hudson from the Catskill Mts (Kaaterskill in Dutch) that got their name because of the number of bobcats in the area--so they aren't new in your area either.

 

[chigger bait]

I am sure that you have always had bob cats, but they are highly elusive and very seldom seen.

The majority of the ones that I see ( and that isn't to often) is while I'm sitting in a deer stand and one is distracted while it has target fixation on some prey, like chipmunks, gray squirrels, and turkeys.

 

[NYboy]

What surprized me was how close to city this cat is living. White Plains nick name is little Manhattan.

 

[Chickety Charcoal]

Was she sure it was a bobcat and not a large housecat? I know coyote are present and I have seen fox, deer and other mammals in WP but I have a hard time believing there are bobcat in the area.

 

[NYboy]

Her aunt owned a grooming shop, where she worked summers for many years, so I am sure she would know a housecat. About 5 years ago we had a young black bear here. Very rare was male passing though

 

[kari_dawn]

What surprized me was how close to city this cat is living. White Plains nick name is little Manhattan.

You'd be suprised at the numbers of bobcats in urban settings...we really are inviting them in...water features, manicured lawns and bird feeders that attract not only song birds, but squirrels, rats, and bunnies (and because of this, snakes. Another food that bobcats enjoy), and with all of our privacy fences and pretty decks and storages sheds, we are providing them perfect den sites. Trust me. Where there is one, there are lots more.

In urban settings, bobcats may even remain in family groups. Because of all of the readily available resources in urban settings, their territories are smaller, they fight less, and they have no reason to leave their family group (which usually happens as kits mature...in rural settings, or settings with little resources, it is easier to feed yourself than it is to feed four. But as I said, we are providing them the three essentials. Food, water, shelter, and a huge bonus: privacy and safety).

 

[NYboy]

I know they can be a big problem for some people. I make sure I am out with my pets if they are in my yard. I think it is very cool and would love to see one.

 

[Joe.G]

We have Bobcats all over near me, Along with everything else. And I live in Sullivan County NY about 1.5 Hrs from NYC

 

[NYRIR]

Yay. Another one to worry about.

JK... they have to eat too....just not in MY backyard!