According to the Illinois DNR 2011-12 Hunting Digest bobcats are protected in Illinois. In Illinois, it is unlawful to take bobcat at any time. The IDNR does not recognize mountain lions (also known as cougars) as a species that lives in Illinois (i.e. no known populations). They are not protected in Illinois. The IDNR encourages people to report sightings of mountain lions to their local District Wildlife Biologist or to this website on the Report Unusual Wildlife page.
