The Predator Boom
Predators have made a comeback all around the country. In some regions the populations have gone unchecked and wild game herds have suffered the consequences.
Better management practices and smarter hunting regulations have allowed predator species around the country to rebound from dangerously low numbers in the 1900s. Most outdoorsmen and women, consider this great news. For some, these predators are challenging game species to chase through the backcountry. For others, they serve as a welcome reminder that we are not always the top dog on the food chain. But there has also been a considerable amount of collateral damage in this recent predator boom. Some predator species have quickly repopulated regions unchecked. Elk, deer and moose herds have suffered and hunters have grown frustrated waiting for game agencies to untangle the red tape. Also, as suburbia expands, the number of predator and human conflicts has slowly increased. Take a look at which predator populations are growing the fastest. Photo: Chris Muiden AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (21)
I'd say it's a toss up between the coyotes and the swine with the wolf a close third. But "experts" saying yotes and wolves breed is questionable since the wolves will drive the yotes out of their territory. It's more likely (if they bother to check DNA) that the yotes have bred with dogs. (which has been documented)
Our family owns 300 acres in Central Texas and the biggest wildlife decline that I have seen is in the duck population. We have been overrun with bobcats and coyotes. We also have a large herd of feral hogs, specifically, one large boar that I plan on dispatching with extreme prejudice within the next week. Fortunately, our fawns seem to be surviving, but the bird population is declining.
I live in the "wilds" of Las Vegas and I saw 3 full grown Coyotes at the end of my street last night- I pulled up right next to them and they just looked at me- My wife and daughter go for nightly walks around the neighborhoods her and I told her not to go unless she took a pistol with her.
I moved from Texas 20 years ago. I had several hundred acres there. The hogs were terrible. I let any one who wanted, to hunt them free. Now I look on the internet and ranchers are charging $400.00
to $1,000.00 to hunt them. Whats with this? The hogs and coyotes are the worst.
The wolves are getting really bad in the U.P. of Michigan. The black bear population seams to be growing as well, but the wolves are becoming a nuisance!
So we train the wolves to eat the hogs and then have the bears eat the wolves and coyotes- no? As a PS fan I saw we leaves the lions alone.
In northcentral & northeastern Wisconsin it's wolves. A year or two ago a trail cam near a wolf den recorded over 50 different fawns being carried into the den. That's gotta hurt the herd. I don't want my wife going into the woods unarmed after an incident with three wolves outside her deer blind at dusk.
In Mississippi I would have to say wild hogs are the biggest threat. They are very destructive to habitat and forage for wildlife. Very difficult to keep under control. Coyotes would run close second.
You forgot to mention the most vicious predator of all...... the antihunters!! Besides them... I would have to say that the hogs and wolves are going have the largest impact on hunting. Fortunately, we have very lenient seasons on coyotes and we just need more people out there hunting them! If every deer hunter that complains about coyotes would go out and shoot at least two per season, then I bet their population would be in check!
If you go Kifi 8 you can read what our gov has to say about the wolves and what he plans to do about it.
For a long time the wildlife department in Oklahoma said there were no black bears in Eastern Oklahoma, After several were caught on camera and hit by cars, they had to say differant. They still say there are no cougar and wolves here. I have seen both, and not just me, but several people I know have also. I dont know why they wont admit to it, unless they worry about scaring people.
Coyotes and hogs.
Didn't think much about these predators just a few years ago in central-northern WI but now I'm sure it's on the back of every hunters mind. Here is my list, 1 being the highest threat. 1. hogs 2. mountain lions 3. wolves 4. bears
I'll have to say that wild hogs are the real threat to other species of wildlife.
There is a reason why so many states allow predator hunts with no bag limit. Shear numbers alone account for 17% fawn deaths alone by way of yotes.
I was picking up fresh tracks one morning and heard the the tall grass just ahead of me rustling uncontrollably and then cries and yelps. Ten more steps revealed a large male yote had taken down a fawn and was eating her alive. I was so infuriated I emptied 5 plus one into both animals...the fawn would have not survived the throat tears and disembowelment.
I find the bears in PA fairly predictable. But I don't trust coyotes. I carry a side arm mainly for them.
North of Houston, and other areas in Texas, Coyotes used the main concern. Now, it is Feral Hogs. They have just exploded in population and have just made a mess of everything. They tear up land and have contributed to lower deer numbers by simply pushing them out.
They really need to be put in check, but that seems impossible at the rate they reproduce.
Don't get me wrong, I love hunting them and they are great to eat. Just not sure all that fun is worth the damage they are causing.
Hey bigjake,
The suburbs were Westlands Park and Greenwood village. You can read more about what's going on out there here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/us/16coyote.html
The Hogs are getting bad in my area. We have a pretty good yote crew that keeps them in check. I have yet to see a wolf in Central NY but have heard of some lions. I think it would be nice to see other predetors in the woods other than humans.
I would rather have the bears and lions over the damn wolves any day.
Could I possibly get the name of that Denver suburb??,I would definately move for a shot at that job.
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North of Houston, and other areas in Texas, Coyotes used the main concern. Now, it is Feral Hogs. They have just exploded in population and have just made a mess of everything. They tear up land and have contributed to lower deer numbers by simply pushing them out.
They really need to be put in check, but that seems impossible at the rate they reproduce.
Don't get me wrong, I love hunting them and they are great to eat. Just not sure all that fun is worth the damage they are causing.
There is a reason why so many states allow predator hunts with no bag limit. Shear numbers alone account for 17% fawn deaths alone by way of yotes.
I was picking up fresh tracks one morning and heard the the tall grass just ahead of me rustling uncontrollably and then cries and yelps. Ten more steps revealed a large male yote had taken down a fawn and was eating her alive. I was so infuriated I emptied 5 plus one into both animals...the fawn would have not survived the throat tears and disembowelment.
Could I possibly get the name of that Denver suburb??,I would definately move for a shot at that job.
Hey bigjake,
The suburbs were Westlands Park and Greenwood village. You can read more about what's going on out there here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/us/16coyote.html
I find the bears in PA fairly predictable. But I don't trust coyotes. I carry a side arm mainly for them.
Didn't think much about these predators just a few years ago in central-northern WI but now I'm sure it's on the back of every hunters mind. Here is my list, 1 being the highest threat. 1. hogs 2. mountain lions 3. wolves 4. bears
If you go Kifi 8 you can read what our gov has to say about the wolves and what he plans to do about it.
You forgot to mention the most vicious predator of all...... the antihunters!! Besides them... I would have to say that the hogs and wolves are going have the largest impact on hunting. Fortunately, we have very lenient seasons on coyotes and we just need more people out there hunting them! If every deer hunter that complains about coyotes would go out and shoot at least two per season, then I bet their population would be in check!
In Mississippi I would have to say wild hogs are the biggest threat. They are very destructive to habitat and forage for wildlife. Very difficult to keep under control. Coyotes would run close second.
In northcentral & northeastern Wisconsin it's wolves. A year or two ago a trail cam near a wolf den recorded over 50 different fawns being carried into the den. That's gotta hurt the herd. I don't want my wife going into the woods unarmed after an incident with three wolves outside her deer blind at dusk.
I would rather have the bears and lions over the damn wolves any day.
I moved from Texas 20 years ago. I had several hundred acres there. The hogs were terrible. I let any one who wanted, to hunt them free. Now I look on the internet and ranchers are charging $400.00
to $1,000.00 to hunt them. Whats with this? The hogs and coyotes are the worst.
Our family owns 300 acres in Central Texas and the biggest wildlife decline that I have seen is in the duck population. We have been overrun with bobcats and coyotes. We also have a large herd of feral hogs, specifically, one large boar that I plan on dispatching with extreme prejudice within the next week. Fortunately, our fawns seem to be surviving, but the bird population is declining.
I'd say it's a toss up between the coyotes and the swine with the wolf a close third. But "experts" saying yotes and wolves breed is questionable since the wolves will drive the yotes out of their territory. It's more likely (if they bother to check DNA) that the yotes have bred with dogs. (which has been documented)
I'll have to say that wild hogs are the real threat to other species of wildlife.
Coyotes and hogs.
For a long time the wildlife department in Oklahoma said there were no black bears in Eastern Oklahoma, After several were caught on camera and hit by cars, they had to say differant. They still say there are no cougar and wolves here. I have seen both, and not just me, but several people I know have also. I dont know why they wont admit to it, unless they worry about scaring people.
The wolves are getting really bad in the U.P. of Michigan. The black bear population seams to be growing as well, but the wolves are becoming a nuisance!
I live in the "wilds" of Las Vegas and I saw 3 full grown Coyotes at the end of my street last night- I pulled up right next to them and they just looked at me- My wife and daughter go for nightly walks around the neighborhoods her and I told her not to go unless she took a pistol with her.
The Hogs are getting bad in my area. We have a pretty good yote crew that keeps them in check. I have yet to see a wolf in Central NY but have heard of some lions. I think it would be nice to see other predetors in the woods other than humans.
So we train the wolves to eat the hogs and then have the bears eat the wolves and coyotes- no? As a PS fan I saw we leaves the lions alone.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)