Bobcats in New York in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bobcats in New York. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 71 of the 663 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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.
Peak month for bobcats in New York
10.7%
of yearly sightings
71
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
663
verified records a year
April 8.4%, May 10.7%, June 6.3%. 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, May carries 10.7% of the year's bobcats sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (8.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (6.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May 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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 71 of the 663 verified bobcats sightings logged in New York across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bobcats in New York?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st 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.
See bobcats in New York in other months
More places to see bobcats