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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

opinion

Prevent hunting of Indiana's bobcats

Dear Editor,

Ever since I was little, I was taught to learn from my mistakes. 

Yet, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is proposing to make the same mistake twice. In 1969, bobcats, Indiana’s only native wildcat, were on the verge of extinction. 

The state banned hunting them. But now, as bobcat numbers may be recovering, the IDNR is proposing to open a hunting and trapping season on these creatures.

The only people who favor the change are a tiny group of hunters, who kill these small, elusive creatures solely to mount them as trophies, and trappers, who sell their pelts overseas in countries like China and Russia. 

Bobcats look very similar to your cat at home. They groom themselves, purr and like to sleep. They deserve life. There have been very few reports of these animals causing damages.  

Support Indiana’s native bobcats by visiting www.humanesociety.org/INbobcats as soon as possible. Comment on the rule and tell the IDNR not to make the same mistake twice.

This is such a crucial opportunity to be heard on this matter and our chance to protect this beautiful species. 

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