Bobcat Capture and Release

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has awarded contract number CTR078889 to Mercer D. Lawing, a sole proprietor based in Barstow, California, for bobcat capture and release services. The contract, valued at $45,000 annually with a not-to-exceed (NTE) annual limit, will run from September 26, 2025, through September 26, 2028. The primary objective is to capture bobcats within Arizona's designated hunt units, with compensation structured at $1,000 per bobcat collared.

Key deliverables include attaching and removing wildlife tracking collars, collecting biological samples for disease surveillance, and conducting comprehensive wildlife monitoring. The contractor will utilize multiple tracking methods such as on-foot tracking, vehicle surveillance, trail cameras, and drones, focusing exclusively on public lands and privately owned lands with explicit permission. Lawing will be responsible for providing all necessary equipment, including trapping gear, vehicles, and camping equipment, while adhering to strict wildlife handling protocols and maintaining confidentiality of collected data. The contract was awarded through a competition impracticable procurement process, citing Lawing's 30-year specialized experience in bobcat trapping and extensive familiarity with local environments.