I'm going to go ahead and say it. I believe there are bobcats living within Fairfax county. I've got the trail cameras to use. I've got the correct permissions and credentials. My plan is to find and identify the homes and roaming territories of your very own, Fairfax bobcats.
Believe it or not, Fairfax is home to these sly cats. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is native to these parts as detailed by the Virginia Dept. Of Game and Inland Fisheries website. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/?s=050051
Did you know that Quantico Marine Base has had extensive research detailing their own bobcats? They've got the proof here!
http://www.quanticosentryonline.com/image_97340446-3035-11e2-931b-001a4bcf6878.html
A bobcat seen in one area that I put a camera in might coincide with the time of another bobcat picture in another area. Eventually I hope to get enough pictures of bobcats to prove this method even though it is not entirely scientific. There are many variables with this research that I am not covering and a ridiculous amount of errors that may occur, so this is more of a personal project (in conjunction with the parks) to see how many cats there are out there.
Also, I am hoping to recognize individual bobcats that appear in my pictures. Once I do this, I hope to have somewhat of an answer as to how many (if there are) bobcats in these detailed areas.
Again, I follow all VDGIF rules and regulations, park regulations, and private property owners' rules.
I will not be scenting, baiting, harassing the animals (or their dens, homes, or young) to get these results.
I am trying to do this research in the least invasive way possible to the cats, you, me, the land, and other forms of wildlife.
Have you seen any bobcats in these areas?
Did you know that there are documented cases of bobcats here?
I would love to hear from you about these sightings.