Food habits of the bobcat, Lynx rufus, in the Coast and Cascade Ranges of western Oregon in relation to present management policies

The food habits of bobcats were studied in the Coast and Cascade Ranges of western Oregon.Food was determined by analysis of the contents of randomly collected scats. Rabbits occurred
in 52.5% of the scats (n=143) from the Coast Range and in 70.6% of the scats (n=34) from
the Cascade Range. Weight-frequency relationships of prey indicate that rabbits are the most
important food of bobcats in these regions. Rodents were present in 70.0% and 82.3% andinsectivores in 2.2% and 5.8% of the scats from the Coast and Cascade Ranges, respectively.Deer, probably carrion, were present in 2.1% and 2.9% of the scats. Remains of domestic sheepwere found in 0.7% of the scats from the Coast Range, but were not observed in scats fromthe Cascade Range. Bird remains occurred infrequently in both samples. In light of these results,and because of the rapidly rising price of bobcat pelts, we suggest that the current managementpractices for bobcats in Oregon badly need revision. Bobcats should be removed from the
status of -predatory animal- and be given the status of "fur-bearer" with the provision thatcontrol measures may be carried out on a local, problem-area basis if proved necessary.