PREDATORS OUT THERE, AND OFFER SOME REASONS WHY. FROM A COUPLE OF CATS IN A PORTSMOUTH DRIVEWAY TO A LONER MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE WOODS IN MOULTONBOROUGH. PLENTY OF PEOPLE ARE SHARING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF BOBCATS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE BOBCATS ARE DEFINITELY INCREASING AS FAR AS THE POPULATION IS CONCERNED. CONSERVATION OFFICER COLE LETOURNEAU SAYS NUMBERS ARE RISING AND ECOSYSTEM FRAGMENTATION COULD LEAD TO MORE CATS IN PEOPLE’S BACKYARDS. WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS GOING ON, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THAT THAT UNFORTUNATELY JUST PUSHES WILDLIFE INTO INTO PEOPLE’S BACKYARDS AND CROSS ROADS. BUT BOBCATS AREN’T COMFORTABLE AROUND PEOPLE. THEY AREN’T AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS HUMANS. THEY’D RATHER AVOID US AS WE GET INTO SPRING AND BABY ANIMALS ARE BORN, IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE IF AND WHEN YOU SPOT ONE. IF YOU GIVE IT SPACE, IT’S NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. THEY’LL LEAVE YOU ALONE AND YOU CAN ENJOY WHAT MIGHT BE A RARE SIGHTING FOR FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR TO WATCH OUT FOR BEARS LEAVING WINTER HIBERNATION BEHIND. BEARS ARE COMING OUT, SO BE MINDFUL OF BIRD FEEDERS AND TRASH CANS AND GARBAGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. NOW, HE ALSO SAYS THAT BACKYARD FLOCKS OF CHICKENS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON. WE ALL KNOW THOSE EGG PRICES ARE HIGH. THOSE FLOCKS CAN BE
'They'll leave you alone': Bobcat population increases, encroaching in people's backyards
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Updated: 8:41 PM CDT Mar 22, 2025
New Hampshire residents are noticing more bobcats wandering around, and officials said there are some reasons why."Bobcats are definitely increasing, as far as the population is concerned," said Fish and Game conservation officer Cole Letourneau.Letourneau said bobcat numbers are rising, and ecosystem fragmentation could lead to more cats in people's backyards. "We have a lot of new developments going on, especially in the southern part of New Hampshire, and that, unfortunately, just pushes wildlife into people's backyards and across roads," he said.Bobcats aren't comfortable around people. They aren't aggressive toward humans and would rather avoid us, Letourneau said. With baby bobcats arriving soon, he said it's a good idea to keep a safe distance if and when you spot one."If you give it space, it's not going to be a problem," he said. "They'll leave you alone. And you can enjoy what might be a rare sighting for a lot of people."It's also the time of year to watch out for bears leaving winter hibernation behind. "Bears are coming out, so be mindful of bird feeders and trash cans and stuff like that," Letourneau said.Letourneau also noted that backyard chicken coops are becoming more common with egg prices so high. Those flocks can be a big draw for species such as bobcats, foxes and coyotes.
New Hampshire residents are noticing more bobcats wandering around, and officials said there are some reasons why.
"Bobcats are definitely increasing, as far as the population is concerned," said Fish and Game conservation officer Cole Letourneau.
Letourneau said bobcat numbers are rising, and ecosystem fragmentation could lead to more cats in people's backyards.
"We have a lot of new developments going on, especially in the southern part of New Hampshire, and that, unfortunately, just pushes wildlife into people's backyards and across roads," he said.
Bobcats aren't comfortable around people. They aren't aggressive toward humans and would rather avoid us, Letourneau said. With baby bobcats arriving soon, he said it's a good idea to keep a safe distance if and when you spot one.
"If you give it space, it's not going to be a problem," he said. "They'll leave you alone. And you can enjoy what might be a rare sighting for a lot of people."
It's also the time of year to watch out for bears leaving winter hibernation behind.
"Bears are coming out, so be mindful of bird feeders and trash cans and stuff like that," Letourneau said.
Letourneau also noted that backyard chicken coops are becoming more common with egg prices so high. Those flocks can be a big draw for species such as bobcats, foxes and coyotes.
