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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189276
03/16/18 10:22 AM
03/16/18 10:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,580
Duluth, MN
Clark
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,580
Duluth, MN
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The natural reaction to a situation without an obvious cause is to blame something other than ourselves. Why not raptors? They're everywhere! And they all feed on muskrats?
It would be nice to see the slightest bit of critical thinking coming from the collective wisdom of this board. How many species of raptors are A) large enough to kill a muskrat and B) hunt over water? In North America that limits us to, at most, 3 raptors. Yes, let's blame the raptors because we would hate to look at our own practices that limit muskrat populations, that would take change that we may not agree with.
Clark
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen. -Albert Einstein
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189277
03/16/18 10:22 AM
03/16/18 10:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,116
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
GROUSEWIT
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,116
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
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They r the #1 uncontrolled predator. State Game depts claim their hands r tied. So I guess we just let them eat all the pheasants or muskrats in this case they want and keep wondering why hunter participation keeps dropping. Like the wolves and elk out west!
Last edited by GROUSEWIT; 03/16/18 10:26 AM.
NRALIFER,PRPA LIFER,HUNTER,FURTAKER
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189289
03/16/18 10:30 AM
03/16/18 10:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420
williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420
williams,mn
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There is no mention of muskrats in the article, by the way, lol. Tis a nice thread title though .
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189297
03/16/18 10:34 AM
03/16/18 10:34 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,861
Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,861
Wisconsin
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If we would close down all the Hi Ways the raptor population would plummet over night.They live off all the road kills and the mowed ROWs make easy hunting for small rodents.
Like Les said cut down all the trees around the pond and that would take care of the problem.
We never passed up a shot at any crow hawk or owl when we were kids.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189304
03/16/18 10:36 AM
03/16/18 10:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,273
Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,273
Oregon
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No pheasants around here anymore either. But in the last 30-40 years farmers have taken out all the hedgerows and a good portion of the contiguous brush patches so they can farm a little more land.
Farmers may need to be thinned out a little?
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: beaverpeeler]
#6189316
03/16/18 10:43 AM
03/16/18 10:43 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,388
Iowa
~ADC~
The Count
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The Count
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,388
Iowa
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No pheasants around here anymore either. But in the last 30-40 years farmers have taken out all the hedgerows and a good portion of the contiguous brush patches so they can farm a little more land.
Farmers may need to be thinned out a little? LOL
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189318
03/16/18 10:45 AM
03/16/18 10:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,116
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
GROUSEWIT
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,116
7mtns of CENTRAL PA
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My dad and uncles used to collect bounty from hawks, owls, an foxes.But that was when the farm was loaded with pheasants and quail. Back then u were instructed only to shoot the chicken hawk and owl.But the demise of small game is from newer farming practices and can't be from creating an uncontrolled avian predator!
NRALIFER,PRPA LIFER,HUNTER,FURTAKER
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: Clark]
#6189320
03/16/18 10:46 AM
03/16/18 10:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,092
SEPA
Lugnut
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,092
SEPA
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The natural reaction to a situation without an obvious cause is to blame something other than ourselves. Why not raptors? They're everywhere! And they all feed on muskrats?
It would be nice to see the slightest bit of critical thinking coming from the collective wisdom of this board. How many species of raptors are A) large enough to kill a muskrat and B) hunt over water? In North America that limits us to, at most, 3 raptors. Yes, let's blame the raptors because we would hate to look at our own practices that limit muskrat populations, that would take change that we may not agree with.
Clark I agree with what you posted. I would like to see a regulated season on redails only in my state. I have no doubt they play a big role in reduced small game numbers. And they seem to be over-populated.
Eh...wot?
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: beaverpeeler]
#6189335
03/16/18 10:55 AM
03/16/18 10:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,092
SEPA
Lugnut
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,092
SEPA
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No pheasants around here anymore either. But in the last 30-40 years farmers have taken out all the hedgerows and a good portion of the contiguous brush patches so they can farm a little more land.
Farmers may need to be thinned out a little? Here in PA there are many factors that contributed to the elimination of pheasants; clean farming techniques/lack of cover, early cutting of hybrid hay crops, avian flu, the banning of DDT and the protection of raptors just to mention a few. But now that they are gone the PGC has found it impossible to build a breeding population even on large tracts specifically tailored for that purpose (Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas) where no hunting is allowed and the cover is maintained. I believe our very large population of redtails has a lot to do with that.
Eh...wot?
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189345
03/16/18 11:05 AM
03/16/18 11:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420
williams,mn
trapper les
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 25,420
williams,mn
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We need to vote to establish another sacrificial bird, besides the common pigeon, starlings , and English sparrows, just so folks can practice their shooting skills more. Maybe the crowduck, and the common seagull ?
"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189349
03/16/18 11:07 AM
03/16/18 11:07 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
coydog2
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
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I know around me here that the farmers put in alot of tile lines to gain more ground to farm.So that take out some of the wet lands. Less rats in the end.it is not just one thing that is the problem it is many.if there was more marsh around then the rats and other animals will make it. Also for game birds.Like stated about farmers clear the brush and all for more crops.So you got a lack of cover for game.There is also many animals that feed on rats beside birds.Just like on game birds and rabbits.
Life member of DAV,NTA,NRA,ITA.Also member of FTA,CBA
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Re: Busted for saving the muskrats.
[Re: MJM]
#6189424
03/16/18 12:42 PM
03/16/18 12:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 815
Nebraska
1crazytrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 815
Nebraska
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Clark if you think that there are only 3 raptors that are able to take muskrat sized animals, you might have to do a little research.
Member of NFH and NRA
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