Illinois officials say 343 bobcats were taken by hunters and trappers this winter, 25 more than last year.
The Department of Natural Resources says it issued 1,000 permits to hunters and trappers for the season. The harvest limit on the season was 375 animals.
Pike County in western Illinois recorded the most bobcats taken, at 25. There were 20 harvested in Randolph County in southwestern Illinois.
Of this year's total, 159 were harvested with guns, 129 were trapped, 18 succumbed to archery and 37 were ``salvaged'' road-kill.
The bobcat season that ran from November 10 to February 15.
