Iowa is Seeing a Bobcat Population Explosion! Is That Good?

Being the animal lover that I am, I have recently seen a large number of bobcat videos coming out of our great state of Iowa. In fact, my wife and I believe we just saw one at a recent hike in Whitewater Canyon outside of Cascade, Iowa. It was enjoying a drink as we watched it from the overlook. To be honest, I never thought I would see a bobcat. They are extremely elusive and private creatures, and up until very recently seemed quite sparse in our state. That seems to be changing, and rather rapidly now.

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Bobcats are on the move across Iowa, and people are taking notice. In all honesty, some of these bobcats are almost demanding to be seen. Once listed as endangered in 1977, these stealthy predators slowly bounced back, moving from threatened to protected in the early 2000s. By 2007 their population had recovered enough for a limited and regulated hunting season.

Today, sightings are popping up in places like Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Des Moines, and all across Iowa. Experts think the trend will continue as bobcats spread north across the state.

But why should we be excited about more bobcats? For one, they’re nature’s little disease fighters. By hunting rodents like mice and voles, bobcats help reduce the number of ticks carrying Lyme disease. This “dilution effect” is an important way these wild cats keep Iowa ecosystems (and humans) healthier.

Bobcats are also surprisingly mobile during their life. They can travel up to 10 miles a week. They shift dens frequently while raising their kittens. Additionally, they can live an average of three to five years in the wild. Make sure not to confuse them with mountain lions, which can happen as cougars may appear in our state as well. Although bobcats can take down a deer, they are smaller, spotted, and have those signature short “bobbed” tails.

Living alongside bobcats is mostly about respecting them. Avoid rodent poisons if possible, protect their natural areas, and let them do their typical rodent-hunting thing. Their resurgence isn’t just a conservation win; it’s proof that Iowa’s wildlife is not only amazing but extremely resilient, if we lend a helping hand. So next time you hear a yowl while hunting (super creepy BTW) or spot one on a trail, take a moment to appreciate these clever, elusive hunters. They're making our state’s ecosystems healthier, if not a little bit wilder.