My New NH Friend- The Fisher Cat (Durham, Lincoln: house, gated)

[BF66389]

After reported sightings by my wife (several times) I heard a baby crying and investigated...ended up being a Fisher enjoying lunch.

Cute little fellows, they look like a big-cat sized ferret (15 lbs or so).

I also conducted more research and found that no, they really don't like to eat cats (of 1000 stomachs tested after trapping season, only 1 showed evidence of having eaten one).

...and they also really shy away from people.

My conclusion is these little fellows have a much bigger reputation than they can live up to and a lot of the "losses" attributed to them are mistaken- and should be chocked up to Coyote.

So- for those of you in NH who hear a baby crying (young baby) or see a giant Ferret...its a fisher and they are there to eat your troublesome rodent population and are "good" creature to have around.

[sgthoskins]

Here is the one who lives behind my house in the woods.

[Lincolnian]

I have one near my NH house too. My wife and I are a little concerned whether it's safe to lett our two 20 lb terriers out in the evening or early morning.

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by Lincolnian

I have one near my NH house too. My wife and I are a little concerned whether it's safe to lett our two 20 lb terriers out in the evening or early morning.

I would not be worried about the Fisher Cat and actually once it drops the rodent population they tend to move on. They average 10-15 lbs, are solitary, and prefer to be in the woods/away from people when possible- a fairly unlikely threat.

With that said- there are Coyote and many of them. Some populations avoid people/domestic animals and stick to the woods (since Coyote are territorial, these are the ones you want to keep around) while others will bother/target domestic animals (and are the ones you don't want to keep around). I would be MUCH more worried about my dogs and Coyote than a Fisher Cat. Coyote tend to avoid the light...so if you have lights- that should discourage them from coming around.

[Lincolnian]

Thanks, My 18 lb Yorkie is one of the most tenacious alpha dogs I have ever owned. He is very territorial and defensive of family members. He doesn't attack other dogs but growls and shows his teeth when his territory is violated. We're concerned about what would happen if he was confronted by a fisher or coyote. The other terrier (larger) is a barker but submissive and a bit of a chicken.

[GregW]

Most likely the Fisher Cat would go back into the woods. What the coyote would do depends on hunger and if the rest of the pack were around. Never feed your dogs outside because that is a definite invitation to the coyote.

[BF66389]

Sgt- Great pictures. I love how on google image search one of the first that comes up is a very menacing shot of a dead/posed Fisher...when in reality they are not.

[lisa g]

Great pics, we have just hooked up similar cameras, orig. set up from SoCal to capture break-ins on film. My schipperke (aggressive but 15 lbs tops) was attacked by a western coyote - guess that does not apply to discussion of NH wildlife, but as a rule our dogs are not out after dusk unless with us. Coyotes here are larger than those out west and we also have some interested owls which perch right outside our door in early evening.

[buck naked]

a fisher cat followed my cat into the house through the cat door - it was a terrifying experience! they are a vile animal that will kill small pets. I lost THREE cats to a fisher. I saw him take two and only found pieces of the third......

the .22 is ready when he shows up again.


after having one in the house, I removed the cat door and cats became strictly indoor animals thereafter. The reputation of a fisher as a killer is well deserved.

[buck naked]

A Fisher Cat Photo Gallery by Daniel Keefe at pbase.com

Durham, NH website with great pictures and lots of stories - I'm not the only one to SEE fishers take their pets.