There's a trapping season for themI’m guessing these bastards are protected, so the three SSS’s apply.
There's a trapping season for themI’m guessing these bastards are protected, so the three SSS’s apply.
I’m in the middle of nowhere Texas. If a Squatch walks across my land, we just dig a hole.There's a trapping season for them
LolI was going to trap them and take them to the state fish hatchery...
There are otters on my buddy’s place just outside AndersonI don't think there are any as far south as Indy (yet). I remember when they were re-introducing them up near Delphi back in the early 80's.
There's a trapping season for them
A total of 750 statewide may be trapped legally by a legal trapper in season. Only other way to legally “take” an otter is with a nuisance permit from DNR.So you can trap them (in season)? But can you shoot them?
Again, I will ask... Way back before the otters were "endangered"... like back in the 1700's... What kept them from eating all the fish? Why are they now apparently wiping out fish populations when (presumably) it wasn't a problem before?
That's what I was thinking. Probably not as many natural predators.What sort of critters were around back then that ate otters that are not here today? I have no idea, but usually when populations of critters keep increasing it's because of the removal of a predator and or an increase in food.
You can reintroduce predators, but that is no guarantee they will go after wild animals that are harder to catch than domestic cats and small dogs.
....Just because it's smaller than you and looks cute and cuddly doesn't mean it can't tear you to shreds.
I had an answer on post 32, quoting you but for some reason I can’t edit it, and I’m not sure another post I had on here showed up either.Again, I will ask... Way back before the otters were "endangered"... like back in the 1700's... What kept them from eating all the fish? Why are they now apparently wiping out fish populations when (presumably) it wasn't a problem before?
He did pick a good one....lolHell, Id'a bit it, too.
They started out well south of Indy and have been expanding for decades. Many of the initial re-stockings were in the southern half of the state, Patoka in particular was a major re-stocking location.I don't think there are any as far south as Indy (yet). I remember when they were re-introducing them up near Delphi back in the early 80's.
A few reasons come to mind in addition to Leadeye's excellent point about the lack of predators to control the otters. First, in the 1700s the fish were used to dealing with otter predation. Now, otters are basically brand new predators on the scene.Again, I will ask... Way back before the otters were "endangered"... like back in the 1700's... What kept them from eating all the fish? Why are they now apparently wiping out fish populations when (presumably) it wasn't a problem before?