My New NH Friend- The Fisher Cat (home, to live in)

[JViello]

Originally Posted by fishnfool

YOU invaded their habitat. YOUR cats are the ones out in their territory. It's not difficult to co-exist with nature. Instead of letting your cats go outside and hurt the native songbird population you could just keep them inside and let nature do what it does outside.

The fact of the matter is that it is your responsibility to be a responsible pet owner. YOU need to learn to co-exist with nature...not the other way around. It's not nature's job to conform to your views.

I see your God is Mother Nature. Well, mine is the great I AM who said that when it comes to brass tacks, we are the alpha species and have rule over the world. (I'm not suggesting to rape and pillage, but that humans come first.)

I have fishers in the woods backed up to my house here in CT. They ARE vile, agressive animals, I'd shoot one for looking funny. Much like a Coyote - another animal I have very little patients with. There are scavengers in "nature" you know.

As for 1000 stomach samples...the big question would be, did they sample around populated areas! That might make a difference as there are not too many wild Maine Coons running around the woods.

P.S. That crying baby you heard was probably a squirrel screaming for it's life while it was being eaten alive. They make that kind of sound. Fishers like them. Don't ask me how I know.

[BF66389]

...so apparently my "hey I am excited because I had this cool animal in my backyard" thread has gone off the beaten path a bit; but I'll bite because I can't resist (and its relevant in our very natural state).

I don't think FishNFool is saying that shooting an animal for food or in defense is a problem. I think his point was to say that we should be aware of our surroundings and take appropriate precautions to avoid unfavorable interactions. Is this really any different than not wearing all of your best clothes/jewelry/money out in the open while walking through a bad neighborhood of the city?

PS: It was eating a snake (that was definitely dead); it was the Fisher making noise.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by BF66389

...so apparently my "hey I am excited because I had this cool animal in my backyard" thread has gone off the beaten path a bit; but I'll bite because I can't resist (and its relevant in our very natural state).

No no, it is cool. I felt the same way for about 30 seconds when I discovered one running along the stone wall at the edge of my property...then my heart sank as I realized yet another preditor moved in and I'd have to deal with it.

[fishnfool]

Yeah..sorry, I basically took the thread off course. My bad. But BF66389 pretty much summed up my point.

Sgt...yeah, that's exactly what I meant.....good insight

JViello....I was simply talking about respecting nature for what it is. I'll happy discuss religion with ya in another forum. As it pertains to this thread though....I'll simply say that I choose to respect god's creation and find ways to coexist with it rather than shoot it for looking funny.

and for what it's worth....I am an avid hunter, but not because I find any animal vile or funny looking or because I am assuming my role as ruler of the world.

[sgthoskins]

I was being a Chooch, fishnfool. No worries.

I will shoot a coyote though for looking at me or if I just see one.

[BF66389]

Thanks everyone for turning this thread back on track/resolving this discussion in such a constructive way.

So...what laws apply in NH for an animal that DOES pose an immediate threat or appears clearly rabid? I'm sure that may concern some folks on this board...

[Ken E]

Find yourself a good taxedermist. They make awsome livingroom decorations. You can enjoy them forever

[fishnfool]

I think if ANY animal is suspected as rabid you should shoot it ASAP. If you can't or don't own firearms alert the proper authorities, neighbors, etc. and stay clear. Obviously inform your children of the signs so they stay clear of any animal acting iffy.

There are some pretty insane stories of rabid animal attacks.....scary stuff, and the vaccine if bitten is no fun either.

[BF66389]

...and avoid its bodily fluids as well once it has been destroyed.

A buddy of mine is a police officer, shot a rabid racoon, and the bag he put it into leaked onto his arm (which had some cuts from brambles)...and he ended up getting rabies. Very rare for anything like that to happen...but it has.

[GregW]

iirc - Londonderry NH has a local ordinance forbidding the discharging of a firearm except on an approved location i.e. Londonderry Fish & Game club. I think this is sensible because we have a lot of houses very close together and stay bullets would be likely to endanger other folks or their cars & houses. I am not certain if this applies to high power air guns or non-powder weapons such as powerful sling shots or crossbows.