"nancy young" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/28/2016 6:50 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>
>
> I haven't noticed that possums do anything that would
> make me want to kill them. I know they're out there but I
> don't see them.


Lucky you.

Cheri

"Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...

On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
> Ophelia wrote:
>>
>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>
>> ------------------
>>
>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>> it
>> his preference?
>
> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
> and release it and even return your trap.
>
> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>

it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
sport.
------------------------------

Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.



---
http;//www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>
>>> ------------------
>>>
>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>> it
>>> his preference?
>>
>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>
>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>
> Or drive it out yourself, since where I am they say you can't relocate the
> animal and they won't either. You live in an apartment Gary, so I doubt
> that squirrels in your attic doing damage, or raccoons and possum under
> the house doing damage isn't a huge worry to you since you wouldn't be
> paying for the pest damage or control. BTW, Ophelia didn't write the first
> post above, Cheryl did.
>
> Cheri

Sorry Cheryl, it was Cindy.

Cheri

nancy young wrote:
>
> Our goal was to catch a groundhog. I don't want one of those in
> my yard, they can do a number on your pool.

I'll send you a ferret, Nancy.

Speaking about groundhogs. The only wild ferrets are the Black footed
ferrets and they are endangered. Their main food source is groundhogs.
Well groundhogs are getting disease from fleas. It's killing them but
it's also killing the ferrets that eat them. US govt is spreading m&ms
with peanut butter and vaccine in the wild using drones. Groundhogs eat
them, stay healthy, then ferrets won't die by eating them. This is a
cool ferret win story, imo. :-D (you KNOW I like this one)

According to this one story (below) there are very few wild ferrets left
(300?) I don't think it's quite that bad but then maybe it is.

http://www.nola.com/outdoors/index.s...o_save_en.html

"nancy young" > wrote in message
...
> On 7/27/2016 4:09 PM, Gary wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>
>>> On 7/27/2016 1:56 PM, Gary wrote:
>>>
>>>> Possums are super meek and friendly.
>>>
>>> I'm guessing you never caught one in a Havaheart trap.
>>>
>>> Think pointy teeth and hissing fury. Scared the hell out
>>> of me.
>>
>> Definitely pointy teeth and hissing. I caught one in my screen porch
>> years ago. It scared me but it was only scared itself.
>
> 100% I know it was just scared. And scared animals (or people)
> can be very dangerous. But I wasn't thinking I hate possums or
> anything, I was just afraid of how aggressive it was.
>
> > I let it stay in
>> my screened porch and fed it for a few days. It mellowed and was
>> actually quite friendly. lol . I love animals.
>
> That I know.
>
> nancy

I don't hate them at all, just don't want them in my yard or under my house
having babies.

Cheri

"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message

> Critters call to all their buddies, even tell them the menu.
> Birds have excellent telescopic vision, they constantly scan for
> food... you won't see them up in the tree tops but they will see you.
> As soon as I toss out birdseed dozens of birds arrive instantly, and
> ground critters watch and listen for the birds chattering and arrive
> seconds later. There are dozens of crows in the tree tops a 1/4 mile
> away, all I need do is open the sliders to my deck and they are there
> on the ground looking at me... I have them well trained... they have
> me well trained too. The crows get all the dried canned cat food
> leavings, I soak the bowls to loosen the food and toss it out for the
> crows, not a speck gets wasted. Crows eat everything, especially
> carrion, they're first on the scene to clean up roadkill.

I used to have a pet bluejay that would always come to the patio table and
take peanuts from our hand. We have a pic of him sitting there with a tall
neck Budweiser next to him. My friends didn't care for the fact that he
would swoop in and startle them, but I loved that bird. I always give the
jays peanuts, but now that I don't smoke anymore, not on the patio much,
have never taken the time to tame one like "Blueboy" was. I hate crows and
don't encourage them.

Cheri

"Cheri" wrote in message ...


"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Ophelia wrote:
>>
>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>
>> ------------------
>>
>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>> it
>> his preference?
>
> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
> and release it and even return your trap.
>
> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.

Or drive it out yourself, since where I am they say you can't relocate the
animal and they won't either. You live in an apartment Gary, so I doubt that
squirrels in your attic doing damage, or raccoons and possum under the house
doing damage isn't a huge worry to you since you wouldn't be paying for the
pest damage or control. BTW, Ophelia didn't write the first post above,
Cheryl did.

-------------

Oh thank you. I didn't see it. I have responded though


---
http;//www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...
>
> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>
>>> ------------------
>>>
>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>> it
>>> his preference?
>>
>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>
>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>>
>
> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
> sport.
> ------------------------------
>
> Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.

Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
for sport.

Cheri

nancy young wrote:
>
> Did not expect to find a possum. I was afraid to open the
> thing to let it out, would it attack me? I have a horror of
> having to get rabies shots. Then it was in a sunny spot and it
> was hot so I wanted to cover it.
>
> It was a mess. And I learned that they aren't always shy.

As I said to Cindy. You caught the possum in a trap, You could have
called your city animal contacts and they would have sent someone out
for free to take it away. Yeah...caught in a trap, I'm sure it was mean
and mad and very scared.

Anyway about the rabies thing...saw on the news just this morning that
someone caught (?) a raccoon with rabies (?) only about 12 blocks from
my house. Never heard about that anywhere near me in 40-years until now.
scary.

"Cheri" wrote in message ...


"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...
>
> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>
>>> ------------------
>>>
>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>> it
>>> his preference?
>>
>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>
>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>>
>
> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
> sport.
> ------------------------------
>
> Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.

Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
for sport.

------------

So it seems we are not alone!


---
http;//www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> nancy young wrote:
>>
>> Did not expect to find a possum. I was afraid to open the
>> thing to let it out, would it attack me? I have a horror of
>> having to get rabies shots. Then it was in a sunny spot and it
>> was hot so I wanted to cover it.
>>
>> It was a mess. And I learned that they aren't always shy.
>
> As I said to Cindy. You caught the possum in a trap, You could have
> called your city animal contacts and they would have sent someone out
> for free to take it away. Yeah...caught in a trap, I'm sure it was mean
> and mad and very scared.
>
> Anyway about the rabies thing...saw on the news just this morning that
> someone caught (?) a raccoon with rabies (?) only about 12 blocks from
> my house. Never heard about that anywhere near me in 40-years until now.
> scary.

If you see a raccoon acting really strange try to make friends with it Gary,
won't you at least try? After all it's not the raccoons fault it has rabies.
LOL

Cheri

"Ophelia" wrote in message ...

"Cheri" wrote in message ...


"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...
>
> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>
>>> ------------------
>>>
>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>> it
>>> his preference?
>>
>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>
>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>>
>
> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
> sport.
> ------------------------------
>
> Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.

Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
for sport.

------------

So it seems we are not alone!
------------------------------------

I would like to clarify though. We don't kill for sport. Either for pest
control or for the table. I have no interest in killing just for the sake
of killing.


---
http;//www.helpforheroes.org.uk

---
http;//www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Cheri" wrote in message ...
>
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...
>>
>> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
>>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>>
>>>> ------------------
>>>>
>>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>>> it
>>>> his preference?
>>>
>>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>>
>>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>>>
>>
>> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
>> sport.
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.
>
> Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
> for sport.
>
> ------------
>
> So it seems we are not alone!

Also, dogs kill cats for sport, not for food.

Cheri

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> I would like to clarify though. We don't kill for sport. Either for pest
> control or for the table. I have no interest in killing just for the sake
> of killing.

Me either.

Cheri

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> On Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 7:14:34 AM UTC-4, Ophelia wrote:
> > "Cindy Hamilton" wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> > On Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 5:02:40 PM UTC-4, Bruce wrote:
> > > In article >,
> > > says...
> > > >
> > > > On 7/27/2016 1:56 PM, Gary wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Possums are super meek and friendly.
> > > >
> > > > I'm guessing you never caught one in a Havaheart trap.
> > > >
> > > > Think pointy teeth and hissing fury. Scared the hell out
> > > > of me.
> > >
> > > What would you do?
> >
> > I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
> > Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
> > of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
> > and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
> > into the neighborhood behind us.
> >
> > ------------------
> >
> > We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was it
> > his preference?
>
> Both, actually. He probably could get off a single shot without
> anybody really noticing, but he knows it's just a bad idea.

It must really suck to be possum caught in an "animal friendly" trap in
your yard.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> I do see a lot of opossum road kill.

Called "Good Eats" here in da south if it's fresh roadkill.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> On 2016-07-28 9:04 AM, nancy young wrote:
> > On 7/28/2016 6:50 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> >
> > I haven't noticed that possums do anything that would
> > make me want to kill them. I know they're out there but I
> > don't see them.
>
> You don't have a chicken coop.
>
> > I had a rabid skunk years ago. The cop that came was debating
> > whether to shoot it or not, but was afraid of the bullet hitting
> > the neighbor's house. The poor thing was so thin, I don't think
> > its body would have stopped a bullet.
>
> It is a small target, and after they kill it they have to dispose of the
> carcass.
> We had a bit of a horror story over a rabid animal last winter. Somebody
> had called about a rabid coyote. The cop car came along and saw the
> coyote and hit it with his cruiser. Then he got out and shot the
> disabled animal. I can see two sides to it. Yes, it sounds like a cruel
> and heartless way to put down a dangerous animal. OTOH, there was the
> risk of a reportedly rabid coyote escaping into the neighbourhood. I
> find it difficult to fault the cop for making a quick decision to remove
> a thread to the community. Unfortunately, it turned out that the animal
> that was struck and then shot was not a coyote. It was a very old, blind
> dog that looked like a coyote and who had wandered away from the owner's
> property.

oh man. That's sad.

"Gary" > wrote in message ...

> It must really suck to be possum caught in an "animal friendly" trap in
> your yard.

A friendly trap is a Hell of a lot more humane than catching by the legs
etc. where animals are in great pain and scream many times. Drowning is not
painful either.

Cheri

On Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 9:34:41 AM UTC-4, Dave Smith wrote:

> I am reminded of my wife's long time friend who told me about finding a
> dead opossum in their patio and waiting for her husband to get home
> from work to dispose of the carcass, but when he got home the deceased
> had departed. She thought a neighbourhood dog had run off with it. She
> didn't believe me when I suggested that it was "playing opossum", that
> it had not really been dead.

Good thing she left it. I probably would have tried to pick it up
and been unpleasantly surprised.

A month or two ago, there was a dead groundhog in the road in front
of our house. It looked a little too big to shovel into a garbage
bag, so I turned the bag inside-out (probably unnecessarily), put
it over the groundhog, and picked it up, turning the bag right-side
out with my forearms. It was not much damaged, so it went into
the bag neatly. I didn't want to leave it there to be repeatedly
run over by cars, which would make it much more difficult to dispose
of.

Cindy Hamilton

On 2016-07-28 11:39 AM, Gary wrote:

> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
> and release it and even return your trap.

My sister in law lives in a town in Muskoka and had a problem with feral
cats. The humane society brought traps. They caught quite a few of them
and took them to the shelter, but one morning she went out to check the
trap and there was a skunk in it. She called and they told her the skunk
was her responsibility and that they can only be re-located a short
distance. She insisted that it was their trap so it was their
responsibility. They finally agreed to come and get it.
>
> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.


Do you really believe that? You should look into it. You might be
surprised at the number of animals that kill animals they do not eat.

On 2016-07-28 12:30 PM, Gary wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> I do see a lot of opossum road kill.
>
> Called "Good Eats" here in da south if it's fresh roadkill.
>


Critter du jour.

On 7/28/2016 9:51 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2016-07-28 9:04 AM, nancy young wrote:

>> I had a rabid skunk years ago. The cop that came was debating
>> whether to shoot it or not, but was afraid of the bullet hitting
>> the neighbor's house. The poor thing was so thin, I don't think
>> its body would have stopped a bullet.
>
> It is a small target, and after they kill it they have to dispose of the
> carcass.

At least animal control came out for him, when he got on his radio
and said Get animal control out here Now. They just blew me off when
I called them. Said People get nervous when they see wildlife. Uh,
I do when the thing is standing up on it's hind legs and falling over
repeatedly.

> We had a bit of a horror story over a rabid animal last winter. Somebody
> had called about a rabid coyote. The cop car came along and saw the
> coyote and hit it with his cruiser. Then he got out and shot the
> disabled animal. I can see two sides to it. Yes, it sounds like a cruel
> and heartless way to put down a dangerous animal. OTOH, there was the
> risk of a reportedly rabid coyote escaping into the neighbourhood. I
> find it difficult to fault the cop for making a quick decision to remove
> a thread to the community. Unfortunately, it turned out that the animal
> that was struck and then shot was not a coyote. It was a very old, blind
> dog that looked like a coyote and who had wandered away from the owner's
> property.

The poor thing. I blame the owner for leaving a blind dog to
wander.

We had a coyote wandering around our neighborhood during the day a
month ago or so. It wasn't aggressive, just ignored us walkers.
It was on my lawn at some point. I was concerned as there have been
rabid coyotes in my town in recent years, and people got hurt.

nancy

On 7/27/2016 6:34 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:31:48 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:

>> Think pointy teeth and hissing fury. Scared the hell out
>> of me.

> Possums are very agressive, don't try to chase them when they're
> eating cat food, they'll turn and chase you. They are definitely not
> ascared of a broom. Skunks are worse, they'll stink up your deck so
> bad you won't be able to go out for over a week, their stench will go
> through your walls. It's best to let them eat until they leave.

I've been amazed at how self possessed skunks are. I opened the
front door to find a skunk righthere and he was all Heey. Eatin'
here. Not nervous or looking to spray at all. Did not care about
us or the cat.

No, I didn't try to shoo it away or anything. I know that polecat
smell. Don't need it by my front door.

nancy

On Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:14:46 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> >
> > I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
> > Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
> > of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
> > and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
> > into the neighborhood behind us.
>
> Oh dear lord. Are you kidding me? You catch it in an animal friendly
> trap but then drown it? How unfriendly is that? I suppose that saves him
> some gasoline money though. Use that for the lawnmower.

The alternative would be a leg-hold trap, which is both inhumane
and illegal.

> Imagine if that was a mother possum out to find food for her babies.
> I've seen them in my yards in the past. I just leave them alone. Why
> kill them?

My husband will trap and kill anything that he doesn't like. Groundhogs
are his prime target, but he also has animosity to possums. If he
traps a skunk he'll kill that, too, although the logistics are bothersome.
He used to have chloroform, which helped with dispatching skunks, but
he used it all up. He urinates on cats and releases them. He has
a smaller trap for chipmunks and red squirrels (which chew on the house).

> At the very least why not do a catch and release? That *IS* the purpose
> of those traps. You certainly must have some forest areas somewhere near
> you where he could do that.

Don't you suppose that the carrying capacity of those forests is at
a maximum? Why should we introduce additional animals into a populated
ecosystem? Then they all starve (except for the scavengers).

> Death from drowning is fairly quick but google it and see what a victim
> goes through. It's actually one of worst kinds of death from what I've
> read. Google about opossums too and read how they are so mild and meek.
> One in your yard might be an annoyance but certainly no threat. Let it
> share your land.

They only are trapped if they come near the house. We have two acres.
They can stay in the back by the drainage ditch without risking their
lives.

Cindy Hamilton

On 2016-07-28 12:58 PM, nancy young wrote:
> On 7/28/2016 9:51 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2016-07-28 9:04 AM, nancy young wrote:
>
>>> I had a rabid skunk years ago. The cop that came was debating
>>> whether to shoot it or not, but was afraid of the bullet hitting
>>> the neighbor's house. The poor thing was so thin, I don't think
>>> its body would have stopped a bullet.
>>
>> It is a small target, and after they kill it they have to dispose of the
>> carcass.
>
> At least animal control came out for him, when he got on his radio
> and said Get animal control out here Now. They just blew me off when
> I called them. Said People get nervous when they see wildlife. Uh,
> I do when the thing is standing up on it's hind legs and falling over
> repeatedly.
>
>> We had a bit of a horror story over a rabid animal last winter. Somebody
>> had called about a rabid coyote. The cop car came along and saw the
>> coyote and hit it with his cruiser. Then he got out and shot the
>> disabled animal. I can see two sides to it. Yes, it sounds like a cruel
>> and heartless way to put down a dangerous animal. OTOH, there was the
>> risk of a reportedly rabid coyote escaping into the neighbourhood. I
>> find it difficult to fault the cop for making a quick decision to remove
>> a thread to the community. Unfortunately, it turned out that the animal
>> that was struck and then shot was not a coyote. It was a very old, blind
>> dog that looked like a coyote and who had wandered away from the owner's
>> property.
>
> The poor thing. I blame the owner for leaving a blind dog to
> wander.
>
> We had a coyote wandering around our neighborhood during the day a
> month ago or so. It wasn't aggressive, just ignored us walkers.
> It was on my lawn at some point. I was concerned as there have been
> rabid coyotes in my town in recent years, and people got hurt.

That is seen by some as blaming the victim. You and I are not PC enough
to put the blame on the people who are primarily responsible for the
situation. The cop was responding to a call about a rabid coyote. He
responded and saw what appeared to be a rabid coyote in front of the
house where it had been reported. I have to admit that, as cruel as it
sounds, it was probably quite prudent to disable it with the car and
finish it off than to risk it getting away and presenting a risk to
humans or pets, or getting out and having it bite him.

On 2016-07-28 1:00 PM, nancy young wrote:
> On 7/27/2016 6:34 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Wed, 27 Jul 2016 14:31:48 -0400, Nancy Young
>> > wrote:
>
>>> Think pointy teeth and hissing fury. Scared the hell out
>>> of me.
>
>> Possums are very agressive, don't try to chase them when they're
>> eating cat food, they'll turn and chase you. They are definitely not
>> ascared of a broom. Skunks are worse, they'll stink up your deck so
>> bad you won't be able to go out for over a week, their stench will go
>> through your walls. It's best to let them eat until they leave.
>
> I've been amazed at how self possessed skunks are. I opened the
> front door to find a skunk righthere and he was all Heey. Eatin'
> here. Not nervous or looking to spray at all. Did not care about
> us or the cat.
>
> No, I didn't try to shoo it away or anything. I know that polecat
> smell. Don't need it by my front door.
>


Many years ago I was dating a girl who was living with her aunt and
uncle while attending teachers college. I brought her home one night and
we made out for a bit in the car before saying good night. The porch
light came on and we we could see through the window that her aunt was
putting the leash on the dog to come out. We didn't know what to do. I
didn't want the woman to step out and get sprayed....and the smell get
into the house. I didn't want to honk the horn because that might scare
the skunk, plus it might make the aunt open the door...and get sprayed.

Luckily, she took long enough getting read that the skunk wandered away.

I got to know that aunt a little better and kind of wished I had honked.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2016 09:10:22 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

>
>"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
>
>> Critters call to all their buddies, even tell them the menu.
>> Birds have excellent telescopic vision, they constantly scan for
>> food... you won't see them up in the tree tops but they will see you.
>> As soon as I toss out birdseed dozens of birds arrive instantly, and
>> ground critters watch and listen for the birds chattering and arrive
>> seconds later. There are dozens of crows in the tree tops a 1/4 mile
>> away, all I need do is open the sliders to my deck and they are there
>> on the ground looking at me... I have them well trained... they have
>> me well trained too. The crows get all the dried canned cat food
>> leavings, I soak the bowls to loosen the food and toss it out for the
>> crows, not a speck gets wasted. Crows eat everything, especially
>> carrion, they're first on the scene to clean up roadkill.
>
>I used to have a pet bluejay that would always come to the patio table and
>take peanuts from our hand. We have a pic of him sitting there with a tall
>neck Budweiser next to him. My friends didn't care for the fact that he
>would swoop in and startle them, but I loved that bird. I always give the
>jays peanuts, but now that I don't smoke anymore, not on the patio much,
>have never taken the time to tame one like "Blueboy" was. I hate crows and
>don't encourage them.
>
>Cheri

Crows are the smartest birds going - I used to feed them on my sun
deck although they didn't come near if anyone else was there. I used
to say 'hello' to them and hope one day they would say it to someone
unsuspecting and scare them half to death

On Thu, 28 Jul 2016 09:13:03 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

>
>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>> "Taxed and Spent" wrote in message ...
>>
>> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
>>> Ophelia wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>>>> Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>>>> of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>>>> and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>>>> into the neighborhood behind us.
>>>>
>>>> ------------------
>>>>
>>>> We have laws about shooting in built up areas. Do you have that or was
>>>> it
>>>> his preference?
>>>
>>> That's your only concern with this story? ;o
>>> In many usain states, call the game wardens when you catch a wild animal
>>> in a Havahart trap. They will come pick it up, drive it out somewhere
>>> and release it and even return your trap.
>>>
>>> Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
>>> also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
>>> sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
>>> really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
>>>
>>
>> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
>> sport.
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.
>
>Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
>for sport.
>
>Cheri

As a diver I can tell you the cute seals kill for fun regularly, seen
them doing it.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2016 09:16:29 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

>
>"Gary" > wrote in message ...
>> nancy young wrote:
>>>
>>> Did not expect to find a possum. I was afraid to open the
>>> thing to let it out, would it attack me? I have a horror of
>>> having to get rabies shots. Then it was in a sunny spot and it
>>> was hot so I wanted to cover it.
>>>
>>> It was a mess. And I learned that they aren't always shy.
>>
>> As I said to Cindy. You caught the possum in a trap, You could have
>> called your city animal contacts and they would have sent someone out
>> for free to take it away. Yeah...caught in a trap, I'm sure it was mean
>> and mad and very scared.
>>
>> Anyway about the rabies thing...saw on the news just this morning that
>> someone caught (?) a raccoon with rabies (?) only about 12 blocks from
>> my house. Never heard about that anywhere near me in 40-years until now.
>> scary.
>
>If you see a raccoon acting really strange try to make friends with it Gary,
>won't you at least try? After all it's not the raccoons fault it has rabies.
>LOL
>
>Cheri

There's a vaccine if he gets bitten, for rabies - but maybe it's not a
good idea

On 2016-07-28 1:03 PM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:14:46 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:

> My husband will trap and kill anything that he doesn't like. Groundhogs
> are his prime target, but he also has animosity to possums. If he
> traps a skunk he'll kill that, too, although the logistics are bothersome.
> He used to have chloroform, which helped with dispatching skunks, but
> he used it all up. He urinates on cats and releases them. He has
> a smaller trap for chipmunks and red squirrels (which chew on the house).

It sounds like he is not much of an animal lover.
We used to have cats and had nice spring flowers thanks to the efforts
of the former owners. I planted more bulbs over the years. We used to
have cats back then. They were outdoor cats. We did not have squirrels
and chipmunks in the yard. Nor did we have mice in the house. When we
stopped having cats we started to have more squirrels, and fewer bulbs
sprouting in the spring.



>
>> At the very least why not do a catch and release? That *IS* the purpose
>> of those traps. You certainly must have some forest areas somewhere near
>> you where he could do that.
>
> Don't you suppose that the carrying capacity of those forests is at
> a maximum? Why should we introduce additional animals into a populated
> ecosystem? Then they all starve (except for the scavengers).

You can only relocate a very short distance here. There are a number of
reasons for it. Aside from the possibility of breaking up a family and
babies not having a mommy to feed them, they have no nest in the new
area. They don't know their way around. They could face predators or
have to deal with territorial issues with their own kind.


> They only are trapped if they come near the house. We have two acres.
> They can stay in the back by the drainage ditch without risking their
> lives.
>
I hope you put up a sign. Try a few stakes with animal heads impaled on
them.

On 7/28/2016 1:04 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2016-07-28 12:58 PM, nancy young wrote:

>> The poor thing. I blame the owner for leaving a blind dog to
>> wander.

> That is seen by some as blaming the victim. You and I are not PC enough
> to put the blame on the people who are primarily responsible for the
> situation.

I don't see the owner as the victim, that's the problem. The dog paid
the price.

nancy

On 7/28/2016 1:09 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2016-07-28 1:00 PM, nancy young wrote:

>> No, I didn't try to shoo it away or anything. I know that polecat
>> smell. Don't need it by my front door.
>>
>
>
> Many years ago I was dating a girl who was living with her aunt and
> uncle while attending teachers college. I brought her home one night and
> we made out for a bit in the car before saying good night. The porch
> light came on and we we could see through the window that her aunt was
> putting the leash on the dog to come out. We didn't know what to do. I
> didn't want the woman to step out and get sprayed....and the smell get
> into the house. I didn't want to honk the horn because that might scare
> the skunk, plus it might make the aunt open the door...and get sprayed.

Not long after the front stoop situation, again I was taking out
the garbage and when I opened the door, a guy was out in the street
walking by who hollered There's a skunk!! That was nice of him. It
was on the side of the house at this point.

> I got to know that aunt a little better and kind of wished I had honked.

Heh.

nancy

Taxed and Spent wrote:
>
> On 7/28/2016 8:39 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Top of the food chain animals kill for food and survival. Humans are
> > also top of the food chain animals in many cases but only WE kill for
> > sport or just because some other animal annoys us. How dare we? We
> > really aren't "all that." Hunt for food but let the other animals live.
> >
>
> it is not true that there are no animals other than humans that kill for
> sport.

News to me but I'm willing to learn. What other animal kills for sport
and doesn't eat the kill?

Ophelia wrote:
>
> We shoot rabbits for pest control on a farm. They wreck the crops.

That's valid reason, imo. plus you get some food too? no worries.

Same thing with Jebus in the Australia situation. Rabbits out of control
and destroying things.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2016 03:50:23 -0700 (PDT), Cindy Hamilton
> wrote:

>On Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 5:02:40 PM UTC-4, Bruce wrote:
>> In article >,
>> says...
>> >
>> > On 7/27/2016 1:56 PM, Gary wrote:
>> >
>> > > Possums are super meek and friendly.
>> >
>> > I'm guessing you never caught one in a Havaheart trap.
>> >
>> > Think pointy teeth and hissing fury. Scared the hell out
>> > of me.
>>
>> What would you do?
>
>I know Gary wouldn't do this, but my husband would stick the
>Havahart trap with the possum still in it into a big container
>of water. He'd rather shoot it with his .22 (which would be quicker
>and thus more humane, but doesn't want to risk skipping a round off
>into the neighborhood behind us.
>
>Cindy Hamilton

You and your mate are two very sick retards... probably as children
got your jollies pulling wings off butterflies... you're the types who
become serial killers. A normal brained human being would relocate
the trapped critter... drive a few miles and release it in the woods,
preferably at a livestock farm where there's plenty of food and water.
If you don't know what to do call the humane society. I release
possums a mile down the road at a large dairy farm where lots of wild
critters feed with the cows... anytime I drive by there are deer and
wild turkeys eating along with the cows.

Cheri wrote:
>
> > Agreed. For a start cats will kill just for sport.
>
> Yes, and on the National Geograpic Channel it showed whales killing seals
> for sport.

OK, I agree. There's two. And I watched that National Graphic show. It
was killer whales playing.

Difference though...in both cases so far, the killers did eat the kill
after the sport ended.

They don't just kill for meanness like some humans do.

Cheri wrote:
>
> If you see a raccoon acting really strange try to make friends with it Gary,
> won't you at least try? After all it's not the raccoons fault it has rabies.
> LOL

You are correct. If the raccoon has rabies, it's not her fault. I say
her because I've had one living on my building for a few years. She's on
my balcony (early morning) occasionally and with a baby in springtime.
So far, I haven't been tempted to kill her. We share the porch. no
worries.

Cheri wrote:
>
> Drowning is not
> painful either.

Read about that and learn better.

sf wrote:
>
> On Wed, 27 Jul 2016 13:56:58 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
> > sf wrote:
> > >
> > > Throw it wherever you want. Mine would go into the garbage because I
> > > don't want to attract rats, raccoons, possums etc.
> >
> > Come on...all of those animals are cute and friendly if you feed them.
> > Rats are supposedly friendly but my daughter's rat bit me...*******
> > Raccoon are cool too except in Bothell.
> > Possums are super meek and friendly.
> > etc. animals have their good sides too.
>
> I'll send my excess cheerios to you and you can scatter them all over
> your balcony.

Plenty of seagulls here. They'll eat them.

"l not -l" wrote in message ...


On 28-Jul-2016, Gary > wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> > I do see a lot of opossum road kill.
>
> Called "Good Eats" here in da south if it's fresh roadkill.
Only had it once, as a child living in western Kentucky; as I recall, it
was awful Oh my, greasy as a forkful of lard and nowhere near as tasty.
Squirrel is much better.

---------------------------------

Rabbit is better still, although squirrel isn't too bad


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