By HANNAH NUSSER
For the first time, a bobcat sighting was verified in Northwest Ohio last week.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife verified the first bobcat sighting in the region on Nov. 13.
A male bobcat was found caught in a trap southeast of Montpelier in Williams County. The bobcat was found dead in the trap, which was intended for raccoons. Until now, all other reports have been unverifiable.
"I'm sure it was as much a surprise to them as it was to us that he found it," said Scott Butterworth, Northwest Ohio ODNR, Division of Wildlife, of the trapping in Ohio's Northwestern most county.
While a growing number of bobcats have been sighted in Ohio since 2000, area residents can rest easy knowing their chances of crossing paths with one of the wild felines are extremely slim. First of all, Fostoria's scarce and scattered wooded habitat is not conducive to bobcats, which thrive in wide expanses of brush and woods, Butterworth said.
"Your chances of seeing a bald eagle are greater than seeing a bobcat so it gives you an idea of how rare they are," Butterworth said. "Your chances of seeing a black bear are greater than seeing a bobcat in the right spot, not that you're going to see black bears in Fostoria, either."
Bobcats are known to exist in Ohio's heavily wooded southernmost counties, but this is the first documentation of one of the wild cats in the Northwest region. The state-endangered animals were eliminated in 1850 but have had 464 sightings since 1970, most of them tallied after 2000, according to a press release. The small wild cats are believed to be moving in from neighboring states like Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, Butterworth said.
The shy felines are secretive in nature and prefer to hunt in the early evening hours and at sunrise. They generally keep to themselves and are not a threat to humans unless cornered or threatened, Butterworth said.
"They're usually very wary and you're lucky to even get a glimpse of one in the wild," Butterworth said.
Male bobcats are usually between 32 and 37 inches long and weigh about 28 pounds. Females range anywhere from 29 to 34 inches in length and weigh an average of 15 pounds.
A typical bobcat diet includes rabbits and rodents; although, their diet may also include things like: insects, fish, birds, and even occasionally a deer.
The bobcat is a state endangered species and is fully protected in Ohio.
The Ohioan who caught the bobcat in Montpelier was not penalized because it was an accidental trapping, Butterworth said.
Anyone who believes to have seen a bobcat should contact their county wildlife officer, or call the ODNR, Division of Wildlife at 1-800-WILDLIFE
Be sure to try and get a picture so the sighting can be properly documented, Butterworth said.
"It would be a real treat to see one. "¦ It's been over a hundred years since they've been in that part of Ohio so it's pretty spectacular for them to be back."
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WOLVERINE SIGHTING IN SOUTHERN ASHLAND COUNTY OHIO? I SWEAR TO GOD I SAW A WOLVERINE SOUTH OF LOUDONVILLE ALONG STATE ROUTE 3 ON 6/25/14. I first caught sight with my peripheral vision and thought it was a large skunk, but the striping was along the side, and not the back. Not sure what the markings related to, I looked at both Badger and Wolverine photos, and sure enough, it HAD to be a wolverine! Heard they once found the carcass of one west of Loudonville near Mifflin Lake, but didn't think I would ever see one!
if so,,,,,,,,,,,,a true miracle at this point in our human occurpation of the east coast............Hope your observation was indeed correct.............they seem to need deep snow and very humnan-less conditions,,,,,,,,,,,,,is it possible a fisher that you saw?
My friend and his wife told me that they saw a wolverine here in northern Trumbull county Monday evening (June 30 2014) in the corner of a field. They looked on the computer to get an image and said that it was exactly like the picture. He told another friend and that person said that he has been scoffing his son for saying that he saw a wolverine. I guess it`s possible.
T.R.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thanks for checking in.............Trumbull county is where?
Trumbull county is in N. E. Ohio
Ohio U. grad, I am down in Athens,,,,,,,,,,,,,if ever there was to be Wolverines back in the buckeye state, southeastern Ohio with it's forest regrowth would be the likely emanating point(just as it has been for the bobcat resurgence that you guys have recognized over the past decade.
Just saw what I beleive to be an Eastern Wolf. I live in Chardon Oh. We have been curious as to why we have'nt seen many rabbits the last year or so. Now we know. Also last year we had found or our dogs have brought home numerous remains of coons and opposums as well as skins scattered here and there.
Hi Chardon, Ohio...........Eastern Coyotes in Ohio,,,,,,,,Eastern Wolves up in Algonquin Park in Canada and environs.........no eastern wolves in the USA except for the 100 or so on the Barrier Islands off of North Carolina.......And yes, the Eastern Coyotes keep the rodents and rabbits in check
i was shocked to see a red tailed fox crossing the rail road tracks in akron Ohio near the while pond area. Are these common sightings in Ohio,?
red foxes are ubiquitous across the eastern usa
So I was doing searches this morning for Wolverines in Ohio and came across this. This morning in Portage county I am certain I saw a Wolverine. Very close to Lake Rockwell.
Sorry, further to my comment above. Portage County in NE Ohio, somewhat close to Trumbull county mentioned above.
I always hope that our complete suite of carnivores return to wherever enough viable habitat still exists for their long term persistence............Hard to believe that Northeast Ohio still harbors the type of "solitude" and remoteness" that Wolverines require,,,,,,,,,,let alone the deep persistent snow cover to raise their young in deep into the Spring
Okay not that anyone is going to read this but as far as the Bob Cat caught in the trap outside of Montpelier, Ohio. I personally know the guy who found it in his trap. The news paper showed a picture of it in the trap as well and no it wasn't dead it was very much alive and still alive when DNR and animal control captured it it wasn't till they had it in captivity that they shot I mean it died in a racoon trap! Someone is trying to keep out of trouble for killing what's considered an endangered species in ohio.
Maybe someone should look into it wouldn't take much except pulling the old newspaper that had it on the front page alive and well.
lousy that this type of behaviour is at play in the Buckeye State
Rick, 3 weeks ago me an 2 friends were fishing just outside of Caldwell Oh and we saw a mountain lion cross the road just feet in front of us. I am positive it was a mountain lion. I reported it to the DNR and they did not sound surprised of the report.
Bobcats are back.............Pumas unlikely.............but hope that changes over the years ahead...........I went to school in Athens, the most rugged part of the state near West Virginia......Bobcats just coming back over the past two decades,,,,,,,,,,
Is it possible that we have coy wolves in southeast Ohio. Had people keep stopping by our house telling us of an enormous coyote that kept crossing the road close to our house. Finally saw it when it stole one of our chickens. It was huge for a coyote and I' very familiar with them. It's head seemed abnormally big for its body and it ran with it's tail erect not down and slinking like a coyote. The tail was extra bushy also.
Eastern Coyotes(called Coywolves by Massachusetts biologist Jon Way)are likely in the Great Lakes States to some degree,,,,,,,,,,,,,including Ohio.........the middle Atlantic states on down to the Carolinas...........Ad mixes of western coyotes, eastern coyotes ............a true canis soup as populations merge and mate
approximately 40 years ago I was witness to a Timber Wolf that was contained in the trunk of a 56 chevy. The wolf was so large that the tail and other anatomy parts had to be shoved while at the same time closing the trunk to the vehicle.
The Wolf was supposedly killed in Richmondale Ohio near Chillicothe. The Wolf as I was told, was attacking a farmers livestock. It was accompanied by a pack of Wolfs. There have also been reports of sightings of Bear and Panthers. I remember hearing of a Cat track in the snow, that with what was then primitive means of identification was belonging to a Lynx. Panthers knob supposedly the last recorded kill of a Panther in Pike County Ohio, may be worth investigating.
Hi Tim.............as always, hope that the wolves and pumas will breed again in Ohio one day..............At this point, seems virtually nil that such a reproducing population for either species exists in the Buckeye State
Rick was just wondering what makes you an expert on ohio wildlife?
Brian - maybe lots of knowledge and experience and in-depth study? The same things that make anyone an expert on anything?
And did he say he considers himself an expert?
Brian,,,,,,,,,as Bruce suggests, I have been in touch with every top wolf and Puma biologist in both the eastern USA and Canada for the past 4 years since this blog emerged.........They have provided me with their in depth analysis of wildlife activity across Ohio.......I cite the most peer reviewed science available to date..............
Glad that you are reading the blog and appreciate your thoughts and insights
I saw a bobcat in Chardon, OH in November @ 3am. I was parked on the side of the road looking for a Cell site on google maps satellite. Looked up and it crossed the road right in front of my truck. I had my dashcam running...BUT it wasn't recording.
I saw a Marten in Youngstown, OH, just off the Himrod exit, last night at around 11pm. I was waiting at a red light and it ran across the road and then did a bouncing run through the snow. Similar to a ferret...or a weasel. But the tail was to bushy for a weasel and face was more pointed like a Marten.
The Bobcats are making a comeback in your state and this is a good thing.........Wonder if what you saw was a Fisher and not a Pine Marten?.....Marten's seem to require less "disturbance" than Fishers,,,,,,,,,,,also Fishers seem to be making a comeback across New England, the Mid Atlantic and the "old northwest"(what Ohio was referred to during the colonial period in our history
....or perhaps a mink...L.B.
Mink--another very viable choice
It was either in the winter of 84 or 85, I saw a bobcat while driving on st rt. 199, after dark , about half way between rt 6 and fostoria. It was just walking along, slightly off the edge of the road. Never saw one again.
Sterling...........elusive and secretive the "Bobs" are..........Consider yourself a lucky guy to have been in the right place at the right time......thanks for checking in
My grandfather shot a killed a bobcat in lorain county in the 70s. He had it stuffed and it sat in my uncles basement for years. They eventually donated it to a nature center.
Marjie............The return of the "Bobs" happening even back then,,,,,,,,,,,although not written or documented about.........Good to know and thanks
Well mr. Rick believe it or not here In chillicothe ohio in the last 3 weeks there has been 3 sightings of a really big cat of some sort running around in the outskirts of scioto trails. It has short hair, light gray in color with darker gray spots, and its tail is as long as its body. It is at least 2 and a half feet tall and at least 6 feet long, including its tail. All 3 sightings have been in early evening, between 6:00 & 8:00. My husband and I saw t first 3 weeks ago, waking along our creek at the edge of the woods, heading to a growed up çlearcut. Then the next week my husband was mushroom hunting along the edge of the clearcut and he heard it growl and when he looked uo it was runnng away from him and he clearly saw its pointed ears and spots. This week, last night my niece was about to pull into her driveway and it ran thru the field and crossed the road and jumped into the creek, right in front of her. Sge clearly saw its ears, short hair, spots and its long tail. We have called the state wildlife and they are suppose to be sending a research team from dublin down to investigate. What kind of cat do you think this might be? Oh by the way yes some farm animals have cane up missing also around this time. All I know is it is big!
I left a comment on this blogg yesterday, actually a story about recent big cat sightings in chillicothe ohio I the scioto trails area. Could someone tell me if it was removed or I didn't post it properly, because it was on here last night, thank you.
Hi..............the only comment is the one that I am responding to about recent Chillicothe "cats", likely bobcats
Hi, we just saw a wolverine by Alliance Ohio at 7:30 am.
Hi, we just saw a wolverine by Alliance Ohio at 7:30 am.
Hi, we just saw a wolverine by Alliance Ohio at 7:30 am.
That would be fantastic,,,,,,,,,,,,But likely a Fisher or a Pine Marten.........No
spottings of Wolverines east of the Mississippi since Lewis & Clark days
I just wanted to let you know that I saw a wolverine in the winter of 1996. I wasn't mistaken. The stripes and long fur on the sides are unmistakable. It stood up on it's hind legs and sniffed at me before it moved along slowly without a care in the world. This happened in Tuppers Plains Ohio. This was before google so I didn't know it was rare at the time. Wolverines have moved into Ohio years ago. It must be in very small numbers but they are there.
Thanks for checking in and advising of your historical "wolverine" sighting in Ohio................I, like you would love to know for sure that Wolverines exist in our northeastern states...........However, even historical diaries, trapper records and the like are inconclusive as to whether Wolverines lived in Michigan and Maine, let alone the more southerly states of Ohio, NY, Mass, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Most likely a Fisher you sighted,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my guess.
Hi yes I seen what I believe to be a coywolf in southwest Ohio butler county. All black very large biggest one I've ever seen. Also I swore I saw a mountain lion at lake julie Ann in Cleves! Scared the hell outta me thought it was a raccoon cause it got into my bait but then I saw the long cat like tail with a tannish coat. Beeped my carhorn & it took off on all fours into the woods.couldn't believe what I saw!
Again, Eastern Coyotes can get to 70 pounds..............Improbable that wolves in Ohio,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And Pumas, perhaps a isolated wanderer out of the Black Hills or the upper Great Lakes, but a wow if indeed a Puma you did see
Yeah it must have been close to 70 but that's what I thought when I saw it! Maybe could've wandered up from southeast Kentucky or Tennessee? If not the places you mentioned who knows.
The puma I mean
April 10, 2016. I just saw a eastern coyote/coywolf, possibly eastern wolf, off to the side of highway 480 in North Olmsted. Grey wolf color and appearance, that looked like a medium size, between a grey wolf and a coyote. I would estimate 2'4" tall probably about 70 lbs. He just looked at me as I drove by.
likely eastern coyote as eastern wolves up in algonquin park in eastern canada..............but I am sure a sight that made your day.............thanks for reading the blog and checking in
"Well mr. Rick believe it or not here In chillicothe ohio in the last 3 weeks there has been 3 sightings of a really big cat of some sort running around in the outskirts of scioto trails. It has short hair, light gray in color with darker gray spots, and its tail is as long as its body...he clearly saw its pointed ears and spots..."
i realize this is a year old, but may I respectfully suggest that someone may have lost an African serval or savannah cat (serval/domestic hybrid)? Even the hybrids can be very big.
Here's the address of a video of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JATR2DzG7A0
escaped pet? thanks for sharing
I'm from caldwell and in 2010 we reported mountain loins on my parents farm dnr told us we was crazy. Lol..
Sarah...........hope you did see one............but unlikely I'm afraid
thanks for the note
I was driving into Cincinnati yesterday and saw a dead wolf on the side of the road ..on 74 and i bet its still there dead
Good morning to you Alphonso................I always am rooting for Wolf rewilding to become a reality throughout the "Old Northwest"(the Ohio territory of the 17th and 18th century)...........Likely a large Eastern Coyote dead on the side of the road near Cincy.
Thanks for checking in
Rick, I agree. I live and hunt near this location. There is a good population of Coyotes in the area.
Tom Wehner
Tom......appreciate you commenting on this..............Coyote virtually 100% at this time............Hope that next couple of decades sees the red wolf also on the ground in the Buckeye State
A bob cat was hit on rt97 in Belville, Ohio just about a month ago. An animal group has it to release as soon as it is healthy. It was in the mansfield news journal.
Jennifer............thanks for checking in and glad to hear that the Bobcat is on the way to recovery and eventual re-release into the woods...........The fact that Bobs are back in the Buckeye State is a thing of beauty
That's what researches and scientists always say. Then they act shocked when they capture a wolf or bear. Nobody can say there are NO wolves. I heard wolves howling in my woods then as I ran to see what it was one ran from me while eyeballing me the whole time. I live in northeast Ohio. I bet there aren't many but nobody has enough evidence that they do not exist at all. Not even one or two or three or four. They can be good at concealing themselves. I have also seen coywolves on numerous occasions. We have a LOT of food where I live. Lots of deer constantly causing car accidents. I noticed this year and the last that although there are still many the deer population has gone down significantly. There is no hunting allowed in my area,ever:
My Wife and I moved to the Hocking Hills area outside of Logan Ohio about ten years ago. Soon after moving here we were driving to work together at about 4am and we saw what we thought at the time was a wolf leap across the road about 50ft in front of our car. The canine was really big, at full stride it made it to the centerline with one leap and with the next one it had cleared the two lane road. Afterwards all of our neighbors told us that it had to be a coyote but it just seemed too big and never made sense to either of us. Tonight my wife was down by our pond and she tells me she saw it again, it had been drinking and when it heard her it ran into our woods. I really hope to figure out what this thing is.
Steve and Mr. Anonymous:
Good to hear from you both..........Until verified, all evidence
points toward no breeding Wolf population in Ohio.....No question that
a prospecting Wolf from the Great Lakes has come down your way.....I indeed hope
that over the next 50 years, the sound of the Wolf indeed becomes prominent in the Buckeye State
It wasn't a wolverine. Not possible
I am certain I saw a wolverine cross the road on 545 just north of the Ohio State Reformatory, either that or a werewolf. It looked nothing like anything I've ever seen. I wasn't the only one who saw it. Scary the heck out of me.
Hi no such thing as werewolf.......you saw a eastern coyote or a fisher
No wolves in Ohio---UNFORTUANATELY........NO WOLVES IN THE EASTERN USA
UNFORTUNATELY
NO WOLVERINES EITHER!,,,,,,,,NONE IN THE EAST,,,,,,,,JUST 100 OR SO IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Just found this blog, love reading every thing. Rick you keep telling people that see wolverines that they saw a fisher or coyote. Have you considered that they possible saw a badger?
Thanks for the kind words about the Blog...........And a Badger, interesting possibility,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,instead of a Coyote
"Badgers go largely unnoticed in Ohio because of their secretive and nocturnal nature. Their short, stout bodies are built for rapid digging so they are capable of hiding themselves quickly when alarmed. Because of these traits, it is difficult to get an accurate estimation of population size"--Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
I am in Paulding County, and my property is in the woods near the river. It was dark out, but I saw a huge cat scale a tree galway up. I went inside to grab binoculars and it scaled even further up. I have a small dog, should I be worried?
Unbelievable!!!!!
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Me and my wife saw a wolverine in our backyard in North Ridgeville in 2014. The property borders a creek and our kids, very young at the time, had told us there was a baby bear by the creek. We saw it two days after they told us and it was a wolverine. It was not a badger or coyote. we were only 25 yards away and it was around 9:00 in the morning in a clearing. Whether or not it was an escaped pet or was migrating through, I couldn't tell you.
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