Duckling Predation
#6709286
12/29/19 12:10 AM
12/29/19 12:10 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10 Western Montana
Sabertooth
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10
Western Montana
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I have a question for you gents. Last spring in western Washington I was over to my daughters house and it sits on acreage with a pond. The mallard hen had 11 ducklings when I was there but on my next visit in broad daylight and no noise every time the hen went around the pond which does have low over hanging branches and trees in spots a duckling would come up missing. I tried to find out what was taking it but could not find any sign so any ideas as I am going to shut that critter down this spring if I have to drain the pond. I saw no sign of mink,birds of prey, raccoon though I am sure the coons are around. So give me your best ideas and suggestions please. Thanks in advance
Sabertooth
"I don't apologize for being a trapper and doing what I love to do"
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: KeithC]
#6709316
12/29/19 12:49 AM
12/29/19 12:49 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870 Mn
nightlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
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Probably a snapping turtle. That's exactly how they operate.
Keith X2 they will suck them right down often without you even seeing it happen
�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.� ― Robert A. Heinlein
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6709349
12/29/19 01:29 AM
12/29/19 01:29 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,512 Oakland, MS
yotetrapper30
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,512
Oakland, MS
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Snappers for sure. I lost three ducklings as soon as I turned them loose in the pond. Two more with mangled feet. Shot a few snappers but it still took six months before the ducks would get near the pond again.
~~Proud Ultra MAGA~~
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6709360
12/29/19 01:38 AM
12/29/19 01:38 AM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,180 Priest River, Idaho USA
SundanceMtnMan
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,180
Priest River, Idaho USA
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I am not sure but I don't believe there are any snappers in Washington. Possibly some type of fish maybe a bass. I am interested in how long a trip around the pond took.
"They Say Nothing is Impossible, But, I Do Nothing Every Day."
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6709364
12/29/19 01:44 AM
12/29/19 01:44 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,512 Oakland, MS
yotetrapper30
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16,512
Oakland, MS
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Other large turtles will take them as well. As well as larger fish like Pike and Muskies.... and even bass.
Last edited by yotetrapper30; 12/29/19 01:44 AM.
~~Proud Ultra MAGA~~
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6709468
12/29/19 09:09 AM
12/29/19 09:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
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I found what looked like muskrat remains in a flathead catfish belly once and feathers twice. So if you don't have predatory turtles it likely is a predatory fish
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6709546
12/29/19 10:30 AM
12/29/19 10:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6,635 Wabash, IN USA
Flipper 56
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 6,635
Wabash, IN USA
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I have seen turtles grab them first hand and also a bass, I walked out on the pier and watched the bass work to get it down. Doubt you have northerns in a pond but pike will eat them for sure.
"Where Can A Man Find Bear Beaver And Other Critters Worth Cash Money When Skinned?"
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Flipper 56]
#6710008
12/29/19 06:29 PM
12/29/19 06:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,857 MI
trappingthomas
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,857
MI
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I have seen turtles grab them first hand and also a bass, I walked out on the pier and watched the bass work to get it down. Doubt you have northerns in a pond but pike will eat them for sure. Flipper may have nailed it. Have a business partner who stocked pike in his pond (Lord knows why). Seen them nail two duckling's myself. Also, once walked to the pond with daughter spooked a bunch of baby geese into pond and one went down with barely a splash! She felt so guilty lol
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Re: Duckling Predation
[Re: Sabertooth]
#6710460
12/29/19 10:58 PM
12/29/19 10:58 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,101 Northern Michigan
J.Morse
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,101
Northern Michigan
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It doesn't take much of a pike to nail a duckling. YouTube has videos of it. Snappers are good at that too, as already stated. My All Purpose Boy and I once came up on a struggling Great Blue Heron. A medium-large snapper had the poor thing right by the feathers of it's taint. We caused it to struggle hard enough that it pulled away and left said turtle with a mouth full of taint feathers. That heron was nearing total exhaustion. Had we not come along it likely would have lost the tug-of-war.
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