Positive changes in the environment have resulted in some endangered species making comebacks all over the nation. The bald eagle, once considered to be on its way to extinction, has made a comeback and is officially no longer an endangered species. In fact, they have become a common site along rivers during the winter migration season.

It wasn't that long ago that many of us thought that the only place that we would see a bald eagle is in a museum display.

Some other species are appearing (or reappearing) in Iowa due to the actions of humans. Mountain lions have been seen in several areas of Iowa, and people in rural areas are learning to find ways to adapt to their presence.

Rep. Dan Huseman, in his weekly newsletter, reports that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced plans to explore greater hunting of the mountain lion's smaller cousin, the bobcat.

The bobcat population has been increasing most likely, due to wildlife habitat areas in the neighboring states of Kansas and Missouri and less human pressure in certain areas of the state. The DNR created a bobcat harvesting season in 2007. The current quota for the bobcat season is 150 total animals which can be trapped in certain counties in Iowa. The season ran from November 3 through Jan. 31, 2008 or until quota is reached. In the 2007-2008 that quota was reached in just 3 weeks. The new proposal would look to add Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury counties to the list of areas where bobcats can be trapped. The DNR is also considering expanding the total number that can be harvested to 200 animals.

Bobcat populations have been on the rise since the 1980s, when it was considered an endangered species. In 2001, the Natural Resource Commission changed the bobcat's status from endangered to threatened. Current estimates put the Iowa bobcat population at as many as 5,000 animals, mainly in southern areas. Bobcats can currently be trapped in the two Southern tiers of counties and but nowhere else in the state. The changes would bring the total to 25 counties where trapping is permitted.

If the current proposal to expand trapping of bobcats is passed, it would not be out of the realm of possibility to see the bobcat here in Plymouth County.