SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia researchers are asking trappers and hunters to donate bobcat carcasses.

They say the carcasses are needed to help them collect data on bobcat populations in the state. The Bobcat Ecology Research Project is in its second and final year of data collection.

According to the state Division of Natural Resources and West Virginia University, carcasses provide reproductive and age information that will let biologists know how the bobcat population is faring, as well as how it will respond to any changes in bag limits and season lengths.

In 2014, 297 bobcat carcasses were collected from trappers and hunters. Researchers hope to collect 300 more. Carcasses may be delivered to any Division of Natural Resources district wildlife office.