[Dekashika]

I agree that predators need to be controlled, and am not a fan of the raccoon.

However, I wonder why pheasant numbers do well in other areas such as the Dakotas or Kansas? Do they have some way of dealing with these predators? I suspect that there would be just as many *****, skunks, and ravens in those states. Maybe even more if there is more prey(pheasants). Any thoughts as to what makes the difference on the impact of predators?

 

[BPturkeys]

Sadly, there is no real "answer" for predators. In a "natural world" predator numbers are controlled by prey numbers, but we are just not living in a natural world. Natural habitat is out of balance and has been changed by development, farming, water distribution, etc. Some predators are opportunistic and can survive better in unbalanced environments, in fact some even thrive because they are better suited for the changed surroundings and can really take advantage of those prey animals that depend on an un-altered ecosystem. This is what has happened in Utah and other "marginal" pheasant states. In those states with larger tracks of ideal pheasant habit, the predator/prey ratio can better stay balanced at natural levels. Don't also forget that we, the hunters, are also predators and in states like Utah with an already out of balanced system, are simply adding to the problem.
In conclusion...Utah will probably never be a good pheasant hunting state. Enjoy what we have, have a safe hunt with the family but don't expect to kill a lot of birds here.

 

[Huge29]

No dought about it, racoons, fox, coyotes, skunks, they all get a few birds...BUT, I'll tell right now that our worst preditor is the Raven. This airborn nest raider kills more pheasants, chukars, sage hens, etc than all the others combined.

Seriously? how do you arrive at that conclusion? It is a rare instance for me to see a raven except at Lake Powell.

As to control, at Desert Lake WMA in Emery County they keep on top of the predators trapping normally 20+ cats, about the same number of ***** and skunks with a few fox and coyote and keep a few pheasants around, obviously that is a small controlled environment, hard to do on a large scale. I really am interested in **** hunting, who is going to show me the ropes?

 

[WirehairI-12]

Wow, I have not been on since last week and wanted to see how everyones opening day went. And to my surprise, exactly like mine. I was on private land up in corrinne, I have gone there opening morning for the past 5 years. There has never been a time where we didn't get a bird up (on opening morning), dang *****! My GSP got one into a tree, and I put it down hard. About 15 min. later while the dogs were workin the brush I heard another trying to sneak behind me...5 ft. away, point blank range. Ouch. And finally, we were working back to the truck when gage (my wirehair) went on point. I through my gun up only to see him jump forward into the brush. Another ****! but this time, gage was getting his a** kicked. My other wirehair deek heard him and the **** (making the wierdest noise). Went in and somehow ended up in a creek at the bottom of the hill...............the fight lastest about 4 min before I could get to them, get them back and shoot the ****. When all was finished gage had cuts on his back and deek on his mouth, leg, and under his eye. They are mean little buggers.

 

[Huge29]

Wow, I have not been on since last week and wanted to see how everyones opening day went. And to my surprise, exactly like mine. I was on private land up in corrinne, I have gone there opening morning for the past 5 years. There has never been a time where we didn't get a bird up (on opening morning), dang *****! My GSP got one into a tree, and I put it down hard. About 15 min. later while the dogs were workin the brush I heard another trying to sneak behind me...5 ft. away, point blank range. Ouch. And finally, we were working back to the truck when gage (my wirehair) went on point. I through my gun up only to see him jump forward into the brush. Another ****! but this time, gage was getting his a** kicked. My other wirehair deek heard him and the **** (making the wierdest noise). Went in and somehow ended up in a creek at the bottom of the hill...............the fight lastest about 4 min before I could get to them, get them back and shoot the ****. When all was finished gage had cuts on his back and deek on his mouth, leg, and under his eye. They are mean little buggers.

They are bad SOB's, my uncle had a Great Pyrenees of no less than 150 lbs, he would eat them for lunch, snap there back pretty quick, but he would still get his face ripped to pieces each time. You must feel a little better after being skunked that you were able to take out 3 critters minus the dog's injury??

 

[WirehairI-12]

Yeah I do I guess. Frusterated that my favorite area is no more. I'm going to go back out there tonight or tomorrow to try and get some more of them. I have never had an experience with ***** like that. They just lay on there back and when the dogs go in they just attack! And the sound they make! Oh my god it sounds like smeegle hacking on a fish. The dogs were doing pretty good until they got into the water, I was surprised at how good the **** was in it. In addition to the *****, I saw a badger and a fox. We will see what we get when I go out there again.

 

[Huge29]

Yeah I do I guess. Frusterated that my favorite area is no more. I'm going to go back out there tonight or tomorrow to try and get some more of them. I have never had an experience with ***** like that. They just lay on there back and when the dogs go in they just attack! And the sound they make! Oh my god it sounds like smeegle hacking on a fish. The dogs were doing pretty good until they got into the water, I was surprised at how good the **** was in it. In addition to the *****, I saw a badger and a fox. We will see what we get when I go out there again.

I am just glad that you didn't run into any wolverines or woofies, my crap, sounds like the place is infested! :shock:

 

[adamb]

when my family and I moved into our house that we are living in now 3 years ago. well we only moved about 4 blocks closer to the bottom of the mountain. it has a gully in the back yard with a couple streams going down it. i had never seen a raccoon in person before, but it seems like i saw one atleast 3 times a week. one night i saw one while driving down our street that looked like it had to be a 50 pounder. anyway i started trapping them and the first year i got around 20 last year probably 7 and this year 3 and then one at howard slough and today my sister saw a fox in our backyard

 

[Lefty]

I hunt phez in MT. They don't have a **** problem but they do have problems with coyotes and foxes. In some parts of the state the fish and game control them; shoot them from helicopters if they get too thick. When they do that the hunting improves. Why can't our fish and game do something like that? Couldn't they take an active role in controlling the problem or at least provide some leadership?

Another friend of mine who lives on a indian res in MT said that a local killed 400 foxes last year (he gets a bounty) and the phez hunting went from okay to great! Could there be a bounty in UT? If there was would it make a difference?

 

[Gumbo]

It is a rare instance for me to see a raven except at Lake Powell.

I see them everywhere, every trip. Just look up.

 

[Huge29]

It is a rare instance for me to see a raven except at Lake Powell.

I see them everywhere, every trip. Just look up.

simply have not noticed, I will pay more attention.

I hunt phez in MT. They don't have a **** problem but they do have problems with coyotes and foxes. In some parts of the state the fish and game control them; shoot them from helicopters if they get too thick. When they do that the hunting improves. Why can't our fish and game do something like that? Couldn't they take an active role in controlling the problem or at least provide some leadership?

Another friend of mine who lives on a indian res in MT said that a local killed 400 foxes last year (he gets a bounty) and the phez hunting went from okay to great! Could there be a bounty in UT? If there was would it make a difference?

There are bounties off and on by certain counties, I know Tooele had one at one point, not certain if it is still valid.

 

[TAK]

Bounty? WHo pays it? That is the problem... Where does the money come from?

 

[str8shtr]

I was born and raised in Hooper so I know a little about this. Yes the *****,foxes,skunks,skunks, and feral cats take there share but the biggest problem I see in that area is all the subdivisions most of the areas I used to hunt are covered with houses. Face it people kill all the predators in weber county but the phez will never be back like they used to.

 

[Huge29]

I was born and raised in Hooper so I know a little about this. Yes the *****,foxes,skunks,skunks, and feral cats take there share but the biggest problem I see in that area is all the subdivisions most of the areas I used to hunt are covered with houses. Face it people kill all the predators in weber county but the phez will never be back like they used to.

I hear that often but the two areas that I have hunted in Duchesne and Box Elder Counties are nearly identical from 30 years ago and the birds are gone, only major change is that of the *****.

 

[str8shtr]

Yes I understand I can only speak for my area and predators are a huge problem. But what do we do pheasants do not create the huge revenue that trophy elk do . I am all for creating some kind of association to take this matter up. I have personally passed up a few shots just because I couldnt bring myself to shoot a rooster that my had been eating out of my horses manger during the year.

 

[Riverrat77]

I'm with you Huge. I'd love to hunt *****. If anyone wants to take a bowhunter on a **** hunt, I'd go any night of the week. Gotta kill something besides fish with my hunting bow. :twisted: I'm all about small game so if anyone wants to give me a legit headsup on **** infested areas that I can walk with my bow, shoot me a PM and I'll go do my part to put a few down. Goes for skunks and foxes too.... I won't shoot yotes. I've been told by too many folks that for the few birds they take down, they take way more small predators so its better to leave em. :?

 

[Huge29]

I've been told by too many folks that for the few birds they take down, they take way more small predators so its better to leave em. :?

I heard that too by a guy on here doing research about that, makes sense on the surface I think. I learned this last night after I watched "Where the Red Fern Grows" to get a little edumacated about the sport; I then read the furbearer guidebook and learned the following:

(b) "Protected wildlife" does not include coyote, field mouse, gopher, ground squirrel,
jackrabbit, muskrat, and raccoon.

(4) Spotlighting may be used to hunt coyote, red
fox, striped skunk, or raccoon where allowed by
a county ordinance enacted pursuant to Section
23-13-17.
(5) The ordinance shall provide that:
(a) any artificial light used to spotlight coyote,
red fox, striped skunk, or raccoon must be
carried by the hunter;
(b) a motor vehicle headlight or light attached
to or powered by a motor vehicle may not be
used to spotlight the animal; and
(c) while hunting with the use of an artificial
light, the hunter may not occupy or operate
any motor vehicle.

So, you need to use grandpa's lantern in the movie or a gun mounted one or I guess just any light not from a vehicle (including ATV's I would assume), not to mention clearing that each county allows such spotlighting.
I am sincerely intrigued, may do some over Thanksgiving if it is allowed in Carbon; does anyone know or I guess I just call the Sheriff??

 

[guner]

Take up a collection and offer up bounties... foxes,***** or subdivisions ? :lol:

 

[stick_man]

Huge, last I had heard, you need to clear it with the sherriff. Most don't like the idea of spotlighting, but I heard Juab and Tooele counties are pretty reasonable about allowing it around here. You can buy hand held spotlights now with upwards of 1million candlepower for just a few bucks. Throw a red lens on it and you have a great night hunting light.

Also, when trapping skunks, I have found the foot-pedal type cage traps that are made out of sheet metal to work great. The skunks can't see out of them, so they won't spray. A few years ago, I was trapping them off of my back porch. I was able to pick the cage up, throw it in the back of the truck, and take them off to a nearby river. When you dunk them, if they fight, they are a cat. If there is no fight, you have a skunk. Either way... :twisted: Use peanut butter as a bait and you won't be as likely to catch cats. I found tunafish or meats would catch cats every once in a while, but never caught a cat with peanut butter. In my opinion, it works better than fish.

 

[TRDHUNTER]

I know some guys with lion and bear dogs train them on *****.