Our forefathers had the commonsense to know that if you wanted a thriving game population you killed the predators that competed with you for that harvest.

When I was a kid it was common to kill on sight any owl, hawk, fox or feral cat you happened to see while out hunting. Back then small game populations thrived. Now, not only do we protect some of those species but we actually re-introduce predators.

The loss of habitat plays a role. Between that and the increase in predators our small game populations are at an all-time low.

I question some of these guys saying there are tons of rabbits about. Yeah, I see them too on golf courses and in peoples yards during the spring and summer birthing seasons. I've been hunting them for fifty years. Come fall they are all but non-existent. Didn't use to be that way. Fifteen to twenty rabbits flushed a day was commonplace. And pheasants...don't get me started.

The PGC should be trying to figure out what we can do about the loss of habitat and the general decline in small game population rather than reintroducing yet another predator.

Spring turkey hunting is one of my favorite things to do. Why on earth would anybody think it's a good idea to reintroduce a predator (fisher) that preys on them. Even if you don't hunt them, how is that a benefit to anyone?

[quote=Lugnut]Our forefathers had the commonsense to know that if you wanted a thriving game population you killed the predators that competed with you for that harvest.

When I was a kid it was common to kill on sight any owl, hawk, fox or feral cat you happened to see while out hunting. Back then small game populations thrived. Now, not only do we protect some of those species but we actually re-introduce predators.

The loss of habitat plays a role. Between that and the increase in predators our small game populations are at an all-time low.

I question some of these guys saying there are tons of rabbits about. Yeah, I see them too on golf courses and in peoples yards during the spring and summer birthing seasons. I've been hunting them for fifty years. Come fall they are all but non-existent. Didn't use to be that way. Fifteen to twenty rabbits flushed a day was commonplace. And pheasants...don't get me started.

The PGC should be trying to figure out what we can do about the loss of habitat and the general decline in small game population rather than reintroducing yet another predator.


It's probably regional but we have tons of rabbits. In the " big woods " not as much, unless you have logged off areas growing back. It's about habitat. In open farmland, of course the birds will kill more small game. Good luck getting the feds to allow killing of Hawks, though, ain't happening. People complain about the game commission not helping, but they are, in fact, leaving gamelands sit and creating habitat. People think another mink sized predator is going to do what, exactly? They are only going to thrive in areas that already have the habitat. Bet they eat more mice and rats than anything. We have a rodent explosion currently, I think due you last years insane mast crop, but everything goes in cycles. I would like a grandkid of mine to get to trap PA martens, but with paranoid sportsmen who think they are wolverine or something, probably not happening.

I still haven't heard anyone address the habitat question. I just don't see marten habitat in PA. Lots of rodents does not alone make marten habitat. They are a very peculiar animal in what they require.

I still haven't heard anyone address the habitat question. I just don't see marten habitat in PA. Lots of rodents does not alone make marten habitat. They are a very peculiar animal in what they require.