O/T: Racoons, Eagles, and Coyotes, Oh My!

tjdub · Jun 26, 2009

Been having trouble keeping ducks this summer. We had about 20 over the winter now we're down to 7. We let them run to keep down the mosquito population since we have a lot of ponds. I had to dispatch 3 raccoons over the last couple of weeks. Monday I came home to find a bald eagle eating one in front of the house. Today my wife said there was a coyote in the yard in broad daylight. The surviving ducks are smart enough to sleep out on the water, but these daylight raids are crazy. We've never had this much trouble before. It makes me wonder if something bigger is going on, like the rabbit population has collapsed or something. I'm about ready to give up on ducks.

BettyJ · Jun 26, 2009

We started out with 8 a couple of years ago, and are now down to 4, and one of them has a permanent limp. Had a turtle get one. We found where the turtle bit its neck when under water.
I guess coyotes got the others, as they had started venturing out in the field for grasshoppers and bugs. They say that turtles will get any babies that come along, getting them from beneath.

BettyJ · Jun 26, 2009

Could you tell me what the O/T stands for? I am fairly new to this forum, and I have seen it often, but don't have a clue.

tjdub · Jun 26, 2009

O/T stands for Off Topic. It's used when a post has nothing to do with tractors.

Nitro · Jun 26, 2009

My guess would be coyotes. Bald Eagles are rare.We have a booming population of coyotes in our area. They are fearless hunters and will eat anything. Dogs,cats,coons,ducks,geese,ground hogs and I have even caught them at sunrise trying to attack calves in their huts. Day or night attacks, but night time seems to be their prefered hunting time.

tjdub · Jun 26, 2009

We have a lot of eagles because we're right next to the Mississippi. This is the first time one has ever taken one of my animals though. Luckily, I chased him off before he got much of a meal so maybe he won't try again.

As for coyotes, we have a lot of them around, but we've never seen any brave enough to come near the house before. Especially in the daylight. We even have a dog who is marking the place.

It's all a bit strange.

dieseldoc · Jun 26, 2009

i would shoot any anything that was trying to kill my livestock.even bald eagles.you have a right to protect your animals from predators even if it was a bald eagle.

Rick Kr · Jun 26, 2009

So far nothing has got my ducklings.

But my chickens, started with 27, now down to 19.

Coyotes come right in the yard, raccoons too. Also have an owl visiting for dinner quite often. Thinking about getting a trail camera to get a picture of the owl. Just not keen on feeding him free chickens.

In last 15 years it seems coyotes are showing up everywhere.

I figure any animals you have, something else is going to try to eat them.

Rick

tjdub · Jun 26, 2009

Even though the raccoons are out of season, it's legal to kill them since they are attacking my livestock. The eagles on the other hand are federally protected. Get caught shooting one and you will spend years in prison. Pretty stupid though since they are no longer classified as endangered or even threatened. I think that has more to do with symbolism than common sense. I don't consider them a problem yet though. One time is a fluke.

Unruh · Jun 26, 2009

Did you hear about the poor father that got caught after shooting a hawk? The judge asked him why he shot the hawk. The father replied that his family was hungry and he wanted to provide some meat for them. "Well, what does a hawk taste like?" asked the judge. The answer was, "about the same as an eagle!"

GordoSD · Jun 26, 2009

On this place it's a pair of mink. They have outwitted me for three years. State Trapper said he wouldn't waste his time coming. Reason? He can't catch them either.

Gordo

Phil in Pa · Jun 26, 2009

We've lost a couple young ones to owls this year, lost a couple adults to mink over the years.
There's always something that wants to eat duck, it seems.

railhead · Jun 26, 2009

like you havent turned it into "brow beat the sinners, i am holier than thou" chat, joe. just more of your stupid hypocrisy.

teddy52food · Jun 26, 2009

You have answered your own question. If there is an eagle with a nest full of young ones, the eagles will kill all the small game including cats and puppies to feed their young. Time to S,S, & S up.

railhead · Jun 26, 2009

it is bonehead or whatever you wish mnjoe but you are a piece of human scat. your family..if you have any...will probably have to hire you some paul bearers. make your family happy and drop ded.

bruster · Jun 26, 2009

railhead, you just fell into a trolls trap! He's been waiting for someone to lose their temper.

I thought we were just going to shun him (and it was starting to work)

Let him live in his little world, and the rest of us will be better off.

railhead · Jun 26, 2009

bruster i fully apologize to you and the "don't feed the troll" movement. i just fell into his trap....proves my lack of intelligence.

but I think I was the first to get him to fully admit tree scum is mnjoe....could be wrong....

O/T: Racoons, Eagles, and Coyotes, Oh My!

tjdub

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BettyJ

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BettyJ

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tjdub

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Nitro

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tjdub

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dieseldoc

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Rick Kr

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tjdub

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Unruh

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GordoSD

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Phil in Pa

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railhead

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railhead

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bruster

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