History Knox
Mark Sebastian Jordan is the de facto historian at Knox Pages. His column appears each Saturday morning.
MOUNT VERNON — Last week’s column about bobcats in Knox County provoked a lot of feedback from readers, proving that the animals are thriving in central Ohio.
Jay Hershner told about a bobcat encounter from several years back:
“I had seen a bobcat back in 1992 on Flat Run Road outside of Danville. It was about 4 a.m., I was on my way home from work when I came up on it crossing the road. It stopped and looked at my car. I thought it was a dog at first, took me a few seconds to process that it was a bobcat.”
Kennedy Peters posted video, presumably shot with a cell phone from a car, of a late-night encounter with a bobcat on Grove Church Road. The video, which can be seen on our Facebook page, catches the creature in the car’s headlights before it scampers to the side of the road.
Sharp focus is elusive, as the animal zips along very quickly, but the markings certainly look like authentic bobcat to me.
Rod Mowery lives in Howard on Ohio 36 and posted a picture of a very clear large feline footprint in the mud on his farm. He said the picture is from just last week.
The folks at Canine Designz, who are located near Knox Lake, reported that they have caught bobcats on their deer cam. Also in that 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 had a fresh encounter in mind.
“So crazy to read this because I’m certain that I saw a bobcat two nights ago in Knox County (wooded area near Upper Fredericktown Road and Hyatt, south of Fredericktown).”
Ralf Eyster said that not only has he seen a bobcat near Knox Lake, he also once spotted one at the back end of Kokosing Reservoir.
James Dague estimated healthy numbers of bobcats in the southwestern part of the county.
He thinks there’s around 10 bobcats in the vicinity of Centerburg, and more around Alexandria. He also reports that they have a strong bald eagle population where he lives now, near Lock.
Greg Culbertson noted that Tim Carper caught images of bobcats on trail cams he installed on Culbertson’s property, near Twin Oaks school grounds.
Jessica Smith expressed concern that bobcat habitats could be destroyed if large solar farms are installed in Knox County.
Kathy Jones told the story of her close encounter: “Had one in our front yard a few years back. Chewing on a ham bone our dog had left in the yard. Really startled me when it lifted its head and I saw what it actually was.”
Heather Sanders also reported a sighting on her property on Fry Road, which is between Ohio 586 and Gambier. The animals appear to be just about everywhere in the county.
Bill Miller is often out and about on the hiking trails just over the county line into Richland. He said that he has seen bobcats twice near Butler, and also noted that a bobcat was reportedly found wounded near Bellville a number of years ago, taken in for rehabilitation, then released in the same spot.
Matt Brigham said, “I’ve seen them all over Central Ohio for over 30 years. I doubt they ever left.”
Other readers from throughout the region reported bobcat sightings in Licking, Morrow, Coshocton, Muskingum, Athens, Hamilton, and Clermont counties.
Speaking of Morrow County, Robyn Baden said, “Heard one 37 years ago near Fulton. Thought it was a woman being murdered, lol! Later, saw it as well as footprints.”
I have never heard a bobcat myself, though I have often heard it described as startling, sounding much like a woman’s scream.
Brian Cales asked what the law was on shooting bobcats, which prompted a vigorous discussion. For the record, it is illegal to shoot bobcats in Ohio.
Daniel Scholl talked about the difficulties for farmers dealing with protected predators, but cautioned about a different wild animal that may return in the future: “I can’t wait until the wild pigs/boars show up; they will make all the damage from coyotes, cats, foxes and hawks look like nothing.”
This is a valuable point that I’m glad the discussion brought up. The rude/condescending nature of comments on both sides of this discussion by some of the contributors was, however, disappointing. I don’t care what your politics may be, if you resort to mockery, it makes your argument look weak.
You can be upset that I said that, but it’s just a fact.
If you wish to discuss things effectively on our Facebook postings, keep it respectful. Mockery just makes you look bad.
This discussion, minus the rudeness, was worthwhile, though, because it suggests that if the bobcat numbers continue to rise, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) may have to install an exception that allows for farmers to defend livestock.
Maybe Keith Enderle had the keenest insight: “I guess ODNR just saved a chunk of change on research.”
Indeed, I think our readers demonstrated that Ohio bobcat populations are thriving, and not just in Knox County.