Best Time to See Bobcats in Oregon

April, January and February is the best time to see bobcats in Oregon. Based on 1,198 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bobcats are most active across the year in Oregon.

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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 Oregon

Bobcat · Public domain CC0

Bobcat photographed in Oregon

Bobcat · Public domain CC0

Bobcat photographed in Oregon

Bobcat · Jeffrey Lee (he/him/his) CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, January, February

1,198 verified observations of bobcats in Oregon, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bobcats are recorded in Oregon

Peak month

April

128 records (10.7% of the year)

Quietest month

August

66 records

MonthObservationsShare
Januarypeak12410.4%
Februarypeak1189.8%
March1058.8%
Aprilpeak12810.7%
May937.8%
June1018.4%
July836.9%
August665.5%
September847%
October978.1%
November937.8%
December1068.8%

Bobcats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Bobcat1,198

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Oregon

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bobcats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bobcats sit around 22 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Janbest time39°F26°F2"
Febbest time38°F22°F2.4"
Mar43°F25°F1.9"
Aprbest time52°F32°F2.2"
May61°F40°F2"
Jun71°F48°F1.1"
Jul83°F56°F0.1"
Aug81°F56°F0.4"
Sep71°F47°F1.2"
Oct58°F37°F1.2"
Nov45°F28°F2.3"
Dec37°F25°F2.4"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Oregon. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on bobcats in Oregon:

Sightings of bobcats in Oregon peak in April, when 128 of the year's 1,198 verified observations are logged — about 10.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, January and February.

The quietest stretch is August, July and September, when bobcats are hardest to find — August sees just 66 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The bobcats you are most likely to encounter in Oregon are Bobcat — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see bobcats in Oregon

  • Crater Lake National Park — National Park
  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
  • Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
  • Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
  • Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
  • Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve — National Monument & Preserve

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bobcats in Oregon?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, January and February, based on 1,198 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bobcats hardest to see in Oregon?+

August is the quietest month for bobcats in Oregon, with only 66 verified records.

Are bobcats active year-round in Oregon?+

Bobcats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Oregon, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.