Trail camera shows bobcat in Tyrone

TYRONE--Although many people have often heard about wild cats in the Finger Lakes region, their elusive nature means very few get to see them up-close. However, an automated trail camera in Tyrone was able to capture a daytime photo of a wild bobcat on the prowl.
Residents Evan and Larue McAfee installed the camera, with Evan explaining this was the second time he has captured a bobcat in the area, although the previous time was in March and at 2 a.m. using a night vision feature which shows images in black and white. Monday, Aug. 26, the bobcat reappeared in front of the motion-controlled camera at 6:41 p.m., producing the picture at right. The sighting was just off of Bailey Hill Road in Schuyler County.
McAfee said he has heard what he described as "screaming in the night" by the cat. However, it has not harmed any of the farm animals near the barn where the camera is placed.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says bobcats can have large traveling ranges from 12 to 136 square miles. Males are typically one-third bigger than females weighing an average of 21 pounds. Females average 14 pounds. Cats over 30 pounds are not uncommon.
Whitetail deer, rabbits, hare, birds, squirrels, voles and even road kill are all items included in the diet of a bobcat. While there are hunting and trapping seasons for the animal in New York, they primarily include the south, northeast and east portions of the state.
The DEC asks for citizen help in reporting the occurrence of bobcats as well as fishers, otters, weasels, martens, and snowshoe hares in DEC regions three through nine.
If you have a wildlife photo you would like to share email it to obsrev@gmail.com.