Bobcats in Illinois in March

Yes, March is a good month to see bobcats in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 12 of the 145 sightings logged across the year (8.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Bobcat photographed in IllinoisBobcat photographed in IllinoisBobcat photographed in Illinois
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for bobcats in Illinois

8.3%

of yearly sightings

12

records in March

#4

busiest month of 12

145

verified records a year

February 15.2%, March 8.3%, April 9.7%. Busiest month is February at 15.2%.

Best months: February, January, April

145 verified observations of bobcats in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bobcats are recorded in Illinois

Peak month

February

22 records (15.2% of the year)

Quietest month

July

7 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak1913.1%
Februarypeak2215.2%
March128.3%
Aprilpeak149.7%
May128.3%
June106.9%
July74.8%
August106.9%
September85.5%
October128.3%
November85.5%
December117.6%

Bobcats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bobcat145

In Illinois, March carries 8.3% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 0 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from February (15.2%) into March, and it heads toward April (9.7%) after. The busiest month is February (15.2%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.

The bobcats most often recorded in Illinois are Bobcat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a March split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in March itself.

Which bobcats you are most likely to see

  • Bobcat145 records
Plan your tripLewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Plan your bobcat trip in Illinois

Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bobcats in Illinois in March?+

Yes. March accounts for 12 of the 145 verified bobcats sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 8.3% of the annual total.

Is March a good time to see bobcats in Illinois?+

March is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though February and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.

What month is best for bobcats in Illinois?+

February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and April, based on 145 verified observations.

Which bobcats are you most likely to see in Illinois?+

The most-recorded species in Illinois are Bobcat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.