YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota's first bobcat season east of the Missouri River opens Saturday.

GF&P conservation officer Sam Schelhaas tells the Yankton Press and Dakotan that the East River bobcat population has reached the point where it can sustain a limited harvest.

The season runs in Yankton, Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Brule and Buffalo counties from Dec. 8-30.

Schelhaas says hunters and trappers who take bobcats are required to remove the pelts from the carcasses and surrender the entire carcasses within five days to GF&P for registration and tagging,

Hunters must have a fur-bearer license, and only one bobcat is allowed per hunter or trapper.

Once the season is closed, an individual has 24 hours to notify GF&P personnel of any untagged bobcats harvested during the season.

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