Bobcats in New York in January

Yes, January is one of the best months to see bobcats in New York. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 67 of the 663 sightings logged across the year (10.1%), 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 June 28, 2026.

Bobcat photographed in New YorkBobcat photographed in New YorkBobcat photographed in New York
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Peak month for bobcats in New York

10.1%

of yearly sightings

67

records in January

#2

busiest month of 12

663

verified records a year

December 9%, January 10.1%, February 8.7%. Busiest month is May at 10.7%.

Best months: May, January, March

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)

Quietest month

August

40 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak6710.1%
February588.7%
Marchpeak659.8%
April568.4%
Maypeak7110.7%
June426.3%
July477.1%
August406%
September619.2%
October446.6%
November527.8%
December609%

Bobcats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bobcat663

In New York, January carries 10.1% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 1.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is rising from December (9%) into January, and it heads toward February (8.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.

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

Which bobcats you are most likely to see

  • Bobcat663 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see bobcats in New York in January?+

Yes. January accounts for 67 of the 663 verified bobcats sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 10.1% of the annual total.

Is January a good time to see bobcats in New York?+

January is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, January and March.

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.