Bobcat Sighted Sunday Night Near McCook Lake in South Dakota
South Dakota is filled with an assortment of wild critters, some common, some not so common.
One of the not-so-common varieties was spotted near the McCook Lake Izaak Walton League Beach Hill in Union County on Sunday night (March 3).
Dakota News Now reports that a camera in that area picked up the image of a bobcat around 7:27 that evening. This isn't the first time stationary cameras have captured images of bobcats roaming around in the vicinity of the Izaak Walton League Beach Hill. The first time was about a year ago on March 19, 2023. There have also been subsequent bobcat sightings in early May of last year, and in late January of this year in the same area.
According to Dakota News Now it is not known whether Sunday's bobcat is the same animal that was spotted the previous two times in Union County.
I guess I don't typically expect bobcats to be roaming around the prairies of eastern South Dakota, but, oddly enough, the South Dakota Game Fish, and Parks Department says it's not uncommon for bobcats to be found in that region of the state.
Bobcats are most commonly found in the western part of the state, in rough, rugged areas, near rocky buttes, timbered draws, and creeks, and throughout the Black Hills. However, there have been numerous bobcat sightings in eastern South Dakota, especially in counties adjacent to the Missouri River.
Little did I know, but, there is actually a bobcat hunting season in South Dakota that runs through mid-February each year.
The good news is, should you and your family spot a bobcat, they pose no immediate danger. According to the GFP of South Dakota, bobcats are usually frightened to interact with people.
Although I would attempt to capture a selfie with one if I were you.
Source: Dakota News Now
Seven Mind-Blowing Wonders' of South Dakota
LOOK: Most commonly seen birds in South Dakota
Gallery Credit: Stacker