How long are bobcats prime?

[MadCatter]

(Posted in "Trapping" section as well)

OK, I had a question asked of me yesterday and thought I would seek all of you experts advice. How long are bobcats "prime" in your neck of the woods?

Are they still good and prime after the seasons close? Are they NOT prime when the seasons open?

For example, in my neck of the woods (SE Colorado) bobcats hair quality is pretty poor when the sesaons open on Dec. 1, but are still great when the seasons close Feb. 28(as witnessed with road-kills after seasons). I'm not advocating illegal harvest after the seasons, just looking for opinions on season structure. Should they be opened later and close later (or earlier)?

I know this will vary depending on location, so tell me approximate location please. I also am aware that breeding seasons are taken into account for closing seasons.

Thanks for any information,
Travis

[Racin_GT]

Our season in Maine runs from Dec.1st till Feb.14th, I wish that we had that extra weeks as we loose a week due to the fact we cant hunt on Sundays.

[TomJr]

Fur here looks good well into March and even later... I am in southern AZ but at 6000 feet elevation so we don't get super hot 90s tops in June, just 80s in the rest of the summer and we never get super cold either 19 was the low so far this year but average lows are more like high 20s low 30s.

Up until 3 years ago there was a year round season and I caught one in middle of August years ago that sold for more than the ones I caught from that winter, it was not even that big but had nice color and thick fur.

[MadCatter]

Thanks Tom and Racin. Good info.

Lets hear from others!

Travis

[meguide01]

as a long time trapper once told me any fur is prime when the tips of ears and the tips of the tails are black in color, as for bobcats not sure on the way to tell but the black on the tips is what most fur buyers look for.

[MadCatter]

Interesting meguide, but I was not asking for "how to tell when a pelt is prime". I was more interested in learning "how long does a critter stay prime once there?" Certainly this will vary based on geographic location, altitude, weather, genetics, etc., and probably vary slightly from year to year.

Thanks for the information, and I'm still interested to hear from others.

Travis

[MadCatter]

Going out this weekend. We'll see if we can check how prime they are! Wish me luck!

Travis