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Another SERIOUS animal problem
With all the recent talk about the coyote problem here on the forum I thought some of you would be interested in another animal problem someone is finally facing here in Wisconsin. That is the feral cat problem. Basically they want to officially make feral cats an unprotected species, comparable to weasels, Norway rats and possum. That would allow people to dispose of them as they see fit when they are running wild. One UW-Madison researcher estimated from a study of stomach contents of trapped feral cats that as many as 200 MILLION songbirds are killed by cats in WI every year. Is it any wonder why ground nesting birds such as grouse and pheasant cannot naturally reproduce effectively? They are probably the only animal here in the wild that regularly kills for fun. There are as many as 80 feral cats per square mile in SW Wis! Not only are they not natural, now they are a wild invasive species.
Of course there are idiots in Madison who want us all to pay for catching, neutering, and spaying them so that they can be “returned to rural "colonies" where they can roam, but are fed and cared for by volunteers.” (See web link below.) Most people don’t realize the scope of the problem because unless they are screwing outside your window at night, cats silently go unnoticed.
Dave
Edit: I'm talking about cats screwing, not people. 
Link:
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
Cats can get to be a big problem. Back on the farm, I've had about 30+ adult cats at times. I try to keep a small family of them for mouse control and renter's kids. I've now got about 10-15 wild ones that you cannot get nearer than about 15 yards. Most of them are females and they can have up to about 5 per litter. That's allot of cats! They clean out the cat dish as soon as you walk away from feeding and hide under the barn and other out buildings. I've tried live trapping them but they are too smart for that. Being out in the country, I have to use my own methods.
The other week I was conducting experiments comparing a .357mag. S & W pistol with 8 3/8 barrel with hollowpoints vs: .17HMR H&R single shot, target barrel at 15 yards with the left eyeball as the point of impact. The .17 does a faster and lots cleaner job although both as humane as anything done by a shelter.
Some would say it is cruel. What should I do, stop feeding them so they starve (not humane in my opinion) or make them move on to another neighbor that has to deal with it?
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
Yoop,
I would call it being a humane yet good shot! ;O)
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
My instincts took over on teh way home and I hit the brakes for one in the road. Damn thing didn't even look. I should have hit it. Now I know why I see flat cats on the road.
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
You mean there's a place where they don't shoot feral cats?
I've always found a .22 or 12 gauge high-brass 6's to be extremely effective "neutering" tools.
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
You have to give them about a 50 yard head start and then whack them. The hornet is very effective. Did you get one with a .374 Holand and Holand Belted Magnum? This is my Africian Safari gun. Does the trick very nice. Heck, on a white tail deer there is no need to field dress if you hit it right.
Sounds like you need more chinese restaraunts out there!
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
It is considered animal cruelty to shoot cats (at least in my area). The biggest problem is telling the wild feral cats from the free roaming cats people say they "own" (even if "own" doesn't mean vaccinated, spaying, or responsible for). You shoot a pet cat you WILL be put up for felony cruelty charges if caught.... so be sure these are truly homeless ferals and not your neigbor's.
I agree, there are far too many of them and they're as big a problem as anything. I have one of these nice nextdoor neighbors who lets his cats breed and wander the neighborhood. I love cats, but I don't love these unvaccinated, unneutered monsters who crap on anything they please, shred bark of newly planted trees, and turn my birdfeeder into a catfeeder.
The hard part isn't getting rid of totally homeless feral cats, it's coping with the feral cats your neighbor "owns" because then they're legally considered "pets". And without a leash-law for cats, there's nothing I can do legally to make him be responsible for his animals. Naturally, I did politely explain the problem to said neighbor and ask for his help. He got mad at me saying his "barn cats" were doing me a favor keeping down mice. (Maybe the SERIOUS animal problem should be the humans?!)
I wonder how wrong it would be for me to catch them and drop them off at a shelter... three states away where he'd never find them. I can't kill them. It's not their fault their owner is an $%#$
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
funchy, not to worry. If shooting them is a problem.......try setting out a nice buffet dinner of tunafish and potasium cyanide. Just be sure to physically watch the buffet to ensure no unintended animals get it. You can always set out a Havaheart trap and catch them live and then have them put to sleep if you want to fork out about $35 per cat.
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
Initially it WAS a Human problem. It's not as if cats came here by hiding in the holds of ships like Norway Rats did. People let them wander at will. A mature tom will just leave your house, returning after months or possibly not at all.
Maybe Hornady will team with Winchester to make special shortmagnum CAT ammo. Could be a big seller.
Dave
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Another SERIOUS animal problem
It's getting common here to see about as many "road kill" cats as raccons and skunks anymore. We still seem to have people who think taking an unwanted dog or cat out in the country and dumping them is OK. Another rural problem that seems to be getting worse is the dumping of junk in the rural ditches. Just this past summer within a 5 mile radius I have saw junk lumber, car parts, washing machines, bed springs, refrigerators, and garbage bags full God only knows what. I haven't, but neighbors have found meth making garbage inside of field drives too. Frank.
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