Predator Round-up

[TNlandowner]

West Tennessee Deer Hunters are hosting a Predator "Round Up" on February 28, 2014.

Check-in @ 5:00 pm - Prizes 6:00 pm
Kountry Korner parking lot - Dresden, TN

Our goal is to help the deer & turkey population by harvesting predators in west Tennessee. This isn't intended as a competition, but as a program to encourage folks to harvest coyotes, bobcats, or any legal predators according to TWRA regulations. Bring your predator kills to the Kountry Korner parking lot at 5:00pm on the 28th.

We will close our event with prize giveaways at 6:00 pm.

For more information, call Larry Porter 235-3781 or Stacy Bostwick 225-4458

 

[Wiggy]

Are you supposed to bring in predators killed that day or hides from critters you got all season?

 

[BigGameGuy]

And this is for what reason???

 

[redblood]

i think on the 28th, coyotes are the only legal predator out there

 

[TITANSFAN2104]

i think on the 28th, coyotes are the only legal predator out there

It says closes on the 28th for bobcat, so does that mean its not through the 28th.?? Or the end of the day on the 28th ????

 

[Nevermind]

Boys, I don't understand the extermination logic here. Its a little entitled, don't you think? The species you are killing off serve a purpose, and they have more rights to the resources they need for survival than we do. Taking out a problematic mesopredator or predator is one thing, but this doesn't appear to be that.

Not trying to start a fight, just saying that mentality has caused tons of issues with cascading effects for a couple hundred years.

 

[Nevermind]

PS... bringing back real predators helps control mesopredators by putting them in their place.

 

[BigGameGuy]

Uh oh... you riled her. :grin:

To be perfectly honest though, I agree with Nevermind. Eliminating natural predators under the guise of doing it for conservation purposes is a stretch at best. Predators help maintain a healthy ecosystem by eliminating the weakest individuals. Predator populations can even impact local vegetation by affecting the behavior of prey populations. I am not saying predators can not be taken but striving to wipe them out� Yeah, I am completely against.

 

[Nevermind]

Well... it's the cascade. Those mesopredators are required to keep down the animals they prey on the most (rabbit, squirrel, etc) and help out with carrion, too. I just wanna make sure everyone is thinking big picture and not species-based only.

 

[JAD]

I'm not a biologist, so please explain. I don't think anyone really believes they can exterminate coyotes by shooting/trapping a few, but as deer hunters, we want more deer(and small game) on the land we hunt and manage. So aren't we doing a positive thing? I see this as our role as stewards of the land.

 

[Nevermind]

Its simply being stewards for our own means (hobby-wise). I agree that shooting or trapping a few wont decimate a population; but the logic is that these animals play an important role in an already-skewed habitat. It's our interpreted sense of competitive ownership over the resources that has impacted our global biodiversity. I spoke at wilderness wildlife week on the issues with forest biodiversity and the balance we historically knocked sp far off kilter.

If it was an invasive species that didnt belong, I'd say "dispatch readily and humanely"... but as a species we cant always look at everything around us in terms of our preferences... its a lesson we seem to be forced at reconcile with over and over.

 

[Wildcat]

I wouldn't be too worried about it. As hard as we've tried over the last 500 years to wipe out the coyote population it has never happened and we've used everything short of nuclear weapons. The state wildlife depts. ever got in on it for years out west, from helicopters, airplanes, to poison and the coyote is still around in great numbers.

When life on Earth ends the last animal to walk the surface of the Earth will be the coyote.

 

[Nevermind]

Yes, I know... that's what I don't want to see come around again... that its acceptable to consider ourselves above the nature we are part of.

 

[timberjack86]

If we don't want a lot of them killed why is season open year round?

 

[TNlandowner]

Wow, I'm terribly surprised by the posts here.

Team Nevermind,

Rather than hi-jack my thread, please create a new thread and start a debate on the subject of predator control.

What's the purpose of a predator round-up?

Here are a few articles for review:

http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/2013/04/03 ... pulations/

http://www.growingdeer.tv/archive/category/trapping

Thinning predator populations have a measurable and beneficial effect for other animals. Several folks in our area are blessed to have increases in our wild quail populations. These improvements are directly related to providing suitable environments (native warm season grass stands, cover, food, etc.) and predator harvests.


While everyone has opinions...scientific study and peer review lead one to take certain actions to maintain balance within wildlife populations.

Our efforts are not designed (nor will they) eliminate predators. We are absolutely following all regulations with an effort to reduce predator numbers on our private property. Afterwards, we hope to improve our Turkey, Quail, and Deer recruitment numbers.





Jim

 

[TNlandowner]

Its simply being stewards for our own means (hobby-wise). I agree that shooting or trapping a few wont decimate a population; but the logic is that these animals play an important role in an already-skewed habitat.

How did the Wolf restocking programs impact other wildlife in the northern Rockies?

Humans are the ultimate predator / manager of animals. If you believe God's word, you'll note that this responsibility isn't a new task.

Nature requires balance...

 

[TNlandowner]

To be perfectly honest though, I agree with Nevermind. Eliminating natural predators under the guise of doing it for conservation purposes is a stretch at best. I am not saying predators can not be taken but striving to wipe them out� Yeah, I am completely against.

BGG,

Nevermind implied or suggested an intent of predator elimination. The thread then changed from the intended message. One responsible for managing our statewide wildlife resources should be careful to avoid falsely judging others.

Jim

 

[Grill-n-man]

Sounds like you struck a nerve with a couple anti hunters and not sure where they got you were wanting to eliminate anything. But back to what you "actually" posted I wish you were closer, wouldn't mind at the minimum stopping by and seeing what was brought in ( legally and in compliance with TWRA regs ).

 

[KPH]

Coyotes are not native to Tennessee and are invaders. I use to love to rabbit hunt they have runt that. I use to like to squirrel hunt with fist dogs they runt that. For my two cents kill em all.

 

[TNlandowner]

Sounds like you struck a nerve with a couple anti hunters and not sure where they got you were wanting to eliminate anything. But back to what you "actually" posted I wish you were closer, wouldn't mind at the minimum stopping by and seeing what was brought in ( legally and in compliance with TWRA regs ).

We would love to meet you! We have pretty good participation so far... Unfortunately, I need to learn better calls. I may be the only fella getting "skunked" this week. LOL

 

[huntinman]

When this Earth ends, there will still be Coyotes and Cockroaches. they have survived for hundreds of years and will continue to thrive regardless of the human toll.

 

[KPH]

When this Earth ends, there will still be Coyotes and Cockroaches. they have survived for hundreds of years and will continue to thrive regardless of the human toll.

That may be but I am going to try an make it a few less of both.

 

[Nevermind]

As a rule predators seek out the weak (diseased, injured, young, old).

If you want a permanent fix try learning about the ecology of fear as related to mesopredator management.

 

[KPH]

As a rule predators seek out the weak (diseased, injured, young, old).

If you want a permanent fix try learning about the ecology of fear as related to mesopredator management.

Had to look up the two dollar words. Found out there is still a lot of theory yet. So in the mean time I say kill em all. They are the invaders.

 

[TheRealSpurhunter]

And this is for what reason???

Sounds like for fun and fellowship

 

[BigGameGuy]

And this is for what reason???

Sounds like for fun and fellowship

Just try to understand how this looks to the non-hunting world (not anti-hunting - I don't care what they think). I just think "killing for fun and fellowship" will do more damage to the sport of hunting than anything else. We need more people supporting us, not less.

 

[JAD]

Hunting IS fun, LOTS of fun. If non-hunters discovered this, they might buy a license and become hunters.

 

[TNlandowner]

I'm all about hunter gatherings. I've had a bit of luck as well as a few disappointing hunts this week. I look forward to hearing other hunters tell their stories.

BGG,

I understand your concern about the commercialization of hunting. However, I completely disagree with your concern over our predator round up. How many non-hunters contribute to your salary, benefits, wildlife research, or game management practices? How many buy licenses and purchase special tax hunting goods?



As for trying to "understand how this looks to the non-hunting world"... I really do not care. Unless looking for a fight, why would a non-hunter read the this section? As the forum title reads, this section is dedicated to predator hunters.

We should refute anyone who disputes our lawful rights to enjoy this sport. I fought nine, yep, nine, combat tours for our traditional American beliefs. I am not afraid to proclaim my love for the outdoors or the awesome excitement of hunting... small game, fur bearers, large game, migratory birds... it is all wonderful....

Let's cut to the chase, political correctness has been devastating on American values. Has being quiet helped gun rights? (we could open this discussion into so many other areas....)

 

[KPH]

Me I am just offended the so called non hunters mite and I say mite be offended by something I just mite do that doesn't have a dang thing to do with them. I have hit a point in life I an tired and sick having to tip toe around someone so I won't offend them. It is time I am offended instead. If anyone is offended by this then get over it life is too short as it is.

 

[Nevermind]

Its not offense, it's continuing a way of life. I rarely care about 'public opinion' unless it has to do with my right to bear arms... and sadly, our hobby we discuss so passionately here is often in the line of fire (pun intended). It's not political correctness... it's quite literal POLITICS. There are more of them then there are of us.

But beyond that, still... its mismanagement. Do we have too many Yotes? Maybe. Are they the reason for deer decline? Doubtful. Most of the studies citing 'deer in coyote scat' neglect to mention the volume of road kill and (during season) gut piles. If you don't like yotes being the apex predator... well, I'll just continue to say the same things.