Bobcats in New York in December
Yes, December is a good month to see bobcats in New York. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 60 of the 663 sightings logged across the year (9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for bobcats in New York
9%
of yearly sightings
60
records in December
#5
busiest month of 12
663
verified records a year
November 7.8%, December 9%, January 10.1%. Busiest month is May at 10.7%.
663 verified observations of bobcats in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bobcats are recorded in New York
Peak month
May
71 records (10.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 67 | 10.1% |
| February | 58 | 8.7% |
| Marchpeak | 65 | 9.8% |
| April | 56 | 8.4% |
| Maypeak | 71 | 10.7% |
| June | 42 | 6.3% |
| July | 47 | 7.1% |
| August | 40 | 6% |
| September | 61 | 9.2% |
| October | 44 | 6.6% |
| November | 52 | 7.8% |
| December | 60 | 9% |
Bobcats you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | 663 |
In New York, December carries 9% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 0.7 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from November (7.8%) into December, and it heads toward January (10.1%) after. The busiest month is May (10.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bobcats most often recorded in New York are Bobcat. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which bobcats you are most likely to see
- Bobcat663 records
Plan your bobcat trip in New York
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bobcat viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bobcat viewing area in New York.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bobcat tour in New York
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bobcats in New York in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 60 of the 663 verified bobcats sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see bobcats in New York?+
December is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though May and January is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for bobcats in New York?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, January and March, based on 663 verified observations.
Which bobcats are you most likely to see in New York?+
The most-recorded species in New York are Bobcat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bobcats in New York in other months
More places to see bobcats