In North America Nova Scotia has the highest population of bobcats. These cats were allowed to be hunted by trapping or by dogs during designated times of the year and in certain provinces. New Brunswick has high numbers in the southern part of the province. In the province of Quebec bobcats are found in the south east and along the the shores of the St. Lawrence. Some provinces allow hunting and some do not.

There has been a decrease in the numbers of the bobcat over the last few years. All hunting and trapping was stopped in 1991 in Quebec to help the numbers increase again. The Bobcat in Northern Manitoba is considered vulnerable. The bobcat is considered a furbearer under the Wildlife Act but since 1985 there has been no hunting season on them and any sightings are reported and monitored.

Although in some provinces the numbers have decreased and hunting was stopped, there are still some provinces that still allow the bobcat to be hunted during a specific season and time frame.

Ontario and Saskatchewan still allow trapping and they monitor the numbers by the number of firs reported each season. In two southern zones only does Alberta allow trapping. Hunting is also allowed in portions of these zones to protect domestic animals.

British Columbia allows both hunting and trapping of the bobcat.

The length of the bobcat is approximately eighty to fifty inches long (76 - 124 cm). They can weigh from thirteen to thirty pounds (5.8 - 13.3 kg). They have a height of approximately twenty one inches (53 cm). They exist in Mexico, Western United States, and Southern Canada. There habitat can consist of semi-dessert to mountains to woodland. At one to two years of age they sexually are mature. They will usually have anywhere from one to six kittens after a gestation period of fifty to seventy days. They have a soft fur that is pale brown in color with light reddish spots and bars throughout.

The bobcat is the most successful wildcat species in North America. It is easily recognized with its short stocky body and with its short bobbed tail. They will eat almost anything but will hunt mice, rabbits and hares as a first choice. They can live in almost any kind of an habitat and can hunt day or night, but will usually be found more on the move towards dusk.