The NRC did not "strike down the proposal". The DNR director pulled it himself..before any votes were taken,,This was a done deal before the public meeting..
Just like their meetings on deer hunting-simply there to keep the natives calm when the decisions have already been made.
The big problem with otters was complaints about them raiding ponds,I personally know of a few people who had problems. Never heard of a legitimate complaint on bobcat. No doubt bobcat kill turkeys, but according to the local C.O.,the population has stabilized after the initial explosion the first few years. Basically will never be like 15 years ago.The fur bearer biologist that got the season on river otter, (species reintroduced), had bobcat(not introduced) 2nd on list, then took another job. The stalemate was not having a biologist, and a fear of a possible lawsuits due to lack of data and a biologist on staff. The new hire biologist compiles data and pushes for season. Director kills it, sounds like director does not have faith in staff.
The bobcat population was always present, unlike the otter. The cat population has exploded in the southern half of the state. The last two years I've seen and called in more cats than coyote. My uncle in law traps 1/2 dozen a year.
I used to kill my turkey on my farm every year, the Turkey are gone, last one I shot there was in 08. Only change is the presence of bobcat. With game bird populations going down in southern 1/2 & cat population going up, it's a trend.