Bobcat Mom on the Move: Why Your Backyard Trail Cam Can Help Save a Family
Submitted by Mary Nall | Captured by trail cam on the Nall/Avrett property in Florida | Photo credit to Ryan O’Neal
Meet Your Wild Neighbors
This magical frame was captured just before dawn in Florida. Look closely and you’ll see a mother bobcat relocating one of her kittens to a safer den site—nature’s version of moving day. Mom lifts her youngster with a practiced grip, ears swiveling for danger, eyes shining in the flash. It’s a fleeting moment few people ever witness in person, and it happened right outside someone’s home.
Why Trail Cams Matter
Big Cat Rescue didn’t purchase this particular camera, but empowering communities with trail-cam technology is a huge part of our conservation portfolio worldwide. When people see who shares their backyard, they:
Feel a personal bond. Faces on a screen are more powerful than statistics on a page.
Protect habitat. Homeowners who learn bobcats roam their woodlots often keep areas wild and pesticide-free.
Report threats sooner. Unusual injuries or suspicious activity get flagged quickly when citizens check their SD cards.
If you have a patch of woods, a fencerow, or even a suburban greenbelt, a weather-sealed camera strapped to a tree can reveal everything from raccoons to rare wildcats in just a few nights. Prices have dropped dramatically—basic, motion-activated models start under $80 and run for months on AA batteries.
A Hidden Cost of Bobcat Hunting
Florida still allows limited bobcat hunting, as do many U.S. states. Supporters argue that quotas and “season dates” protect overall populations. But quotas can’t account for family ties:
From a distance, there’s no reliable way to distinguish a mother from a male—especially through a riflescope at dawn or dusk.
Field studies show moms often have 2–4 dependent kittens tucked away in hollow logs. If she’s shot, the litter starves or becomes prey within days.
Hunting seasons overlap with the bobcat breeding cycle in many regions, especially Florida where bobcats can breed year ‘round, multiplying the risk.
In other words, the death of one bobcat can wipe out an entire family, undermining ecosystem balance and natural rodent control. The most effective “quota” is simply ending sport hunting of bobcats altogether.
How You Can Help
Set up a trail cam. Place it knee-high, angled slightly down a game path or edge habitat. Check local ordinances if you live in a public-use area.
Share your finds. Post photos on social media with location blurred and tag #TrailCamTuesday plus @BigCatRescue. We love highlighting citizen scientists!
Speak up for bobcats. Contact state wildlife agencies and urge them to ban recreational bobcat hunting. Mention the family impact—legislators listen to emotional truths.
Support camera projects overseas. Your donations help BCR fund solar-powered, real-time cams that protect caracals in India, leopards in South Africa, and more.
One Back-Porch Camera, Global Impact
When people realize the wilderness doesn’t start “out there” but right at the mailbox, hearts and policies change. Mary’s simple backyard setup delivered a masterclass in maternal devotion. Imagine the collective power of thousands of homeowners doing the same.
Together, we can ensure every bobcat kitten grows up wild and free—just as nature intended.
Let’s keep these family moments alive for generations to come.
