Bobcats in Maine: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

Bobcats are found throughout Maine, but they favor the southern and central counties, especially York, Cumberland, Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, and Penobscot. They stick to mixed woodlands with dense understory, rocky outcrops, and nearby water. Look for them in state parks like Bradbury Mountain, Swan Island, or along the Downeast coast, but expect thick cover. For more on bobcat habitat across the region, visit our bobcat page.

Bobcats are crepuscular most of the year, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. In winter, they may shift to midday hunts to take advantage of warmer hours. Plan your outings for early morning or late afternoon, and sit quietly near promising cover. Patience is key; bobcats cover a lot of ground but move silently.

Start with tracks: bobcat prints are about 2-3 inches wide, rounder than a coyote's, and show no claw marks (they retract claws when walking). Look for scrapes where they cover scat, and check for scratch marks on tree trunks. Bobcat scat is often segmented and contains hair or bone fragments. Snow makes tracking much easier and the best time for beginners to learn. For more on reading animal sign, see our Maine wildlife spotting guide.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Bobcat tracks show four toes and a large, 3-lobed heel pad. The stride is around 10-15 inches when walking. In fresh snow, look for a distinctive pattern: hind feet often land in the front footprints (direct register). Also look for urine marks or small piles of snow kicked up. Avoid confusing them with dog or coyote tracks, which often show claw marks and a more elongated shape. If you spot tracks, move slowly and scan the area – the cat may be watching you.

Bobcats prey mainly on snowshoe hares, squirrels, rabbits, and small rodents. In winter, they also take deer if they find weak or carcass remains. To find bobcats, look for areas with high prey activity – brush piles, blowdowns, and clearings where small mammals feed. Hunters and hikers often see them near deer gut piles or where rabbit tracks are dense. For more on prey species like deer, check our deer page.