Knox readers talk Bobcat history

Historical Knox

Mark Sebastian Jordan is the de facto historian of Knox Pages. His column appears every Saturday morning.

MOUNT VERNON — Last week’s column about bobcats in Knox County generated a flood of feedback from readers proving the animals are thriving in central Ohio.

Jay Hershner recounts an encounter with a bobcat several years ago:

In 1992, I saw a bobcat on Flat Run Road outside of Danville. I was walking home from get off work around four in the morning and I was crossing the street when I spotted it. It stopped and looked at my car. At first I thought it was a dog, but it took me a few seconds to realize it was a bobcat.

Kennedy Peters posted a video, presumably shot on a cell phone in a car, of a late-night encounter with a bobcat on Grove Church Road. The footage, which can be seen on our Facebook page, captures the animal in the headlights of a car before it ran off to the side of the road.

Sharp focus is elusive because this animal runs so fast, but to me the markings do look like a real bobcat.

Rod Mowery, who lives at 36 Howard, Ohio, posted a photo of a very clear big cat footprint in the mud on his farm. He said the photo was taken last week.

The crew at Canine Designz near Knox Lake reported capturing bobcats with their deer cameras. Also in the area, Rebecca Adkins saw one last week on Mishey Road on the north side of the lake.

This column caught the attention of Kim Sauder Reiss, who thought of a new encounter.

It’s crazy to read this because I’m sure I was in Knox County (the wooded area south of Fredericktown on Upper Fredericktown Road and near the Hyatt Regency) two days ago looking A bobcat arrived.

Ralph Ester said he has not only seen bobcats near Knox Lake, but he also spotted one at the back end of Kokosin Reservoir.

James Dagg estimates the bobcat population in the southwestern part of the county is at healthy levels.

He believes there are about 10 bobcats near Fort Center and more around Alexandria. He also reports that where he now lives near Locke there are a large population of vultures.

Greg Culbertson noted that a trail camera installed by Tim Carper on Culbertson’s property near the Twin Oaks school playground captured the image of the bobcat.

Jessica Smith expressed concern that bobcat habitat could be destroyed if a large solar farm is installed in Knox County.

Kathy Jones tells the story of her close encounter: A few years ago, we had one in our front yard. Chewing on the ham bone our dog left in the yard. I was really surprised when it looked up and saw what it was.

Heather Sanders also reported being spotted on her property on Fry Road between Ohio 586 and Gambier. The animals appear to be found everywhere in the county.

Bill Miller often walks the hiking trails that cross the county line into Richland. He said he has seen bobcats twice near Butler and noted that an injured bobcat was reportedly found near Belleville a few years ago, taken to a rehabilitation center and then released at the same location.

Matt Brigham said I’ve seen them all over central Ohio for more than 30 years. I doubt they ever left.

Other readers from the area reported bobcat sightings in Licking, Morrow, Coshocton, Muskingum, Athens, Hamilton and Clermont counties.

Speaking of Morrow County, Robyn Baden said she heard about it once near Fulton 37 years ago. I thought a woman was killed, haha! Later, I saw it and also saw the footprints.

I’ve never heard a bobcat’s voice myself, although I’ve often heard it described as shocking and sounding a lot like a woman’s scream.

Brian Kells asked what the laws were about shooting bobcats, which sparked a heated discussion. For the record, it is illegal to shoot a bobcat in Ohio.

Daniel Scholl spoke of the difficulties faced by farmers dealing with protected predators, but warned that another type of wild animal might appear in the future: I can’t wait for the wild boar to show up; I can’t wait. They will make all the damage done by coyotes, cats, foxes and hawks look insignificant.

I’m glad the discussion brought this up. However, the rude/condescending comments made by some contributors on both sides of the discussion were disappointing. I don’t care what your politics are, if you resort to ridicule it makes your argument weak.

You might be upset that I say this, but it’s just the truth.

If you wish to discuss issues effectively on our Facebook posts, please be respectful. Ridiculing only makes you look bad.

Still, rudeness aside, the discussion is worthwhile because it suggests that if bobcat numbers continue to increase, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) may have to create an exception to allow farmers to protect livestock.

Perhaps Keith Enderle had the sharpest insight: I guess ODNR just saved a bunch of money on research.

In fact, I think our readers are proof that the bobcat population is booming in Ohio, and not just in Knox County.