David Davis

Statesman Journal

South Salem resident Robert Gutz sent along these photos to the newsroom after spotting a bobcat in his backyard south of Kuebler Boulevard SE.

"First one we’ve ever seen since building here in 1988," Gutz said of the Sunday evening encounter.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife does not have a population estimate for bobcats in the Willamette Valley, but much of Oregon is considered bobcat territory. The bobcat is the most common wildcat in North America.

ODFW has more information about bobcats in Oregon on its website: www.dfw.state.or.us

Have your own wildlife spotting? Send along a photo to newsroom@statesmanjournal.com with when and where the photo was taken.