|
Forums36
Topics40,962
Posts557,964
Members18,502
| |
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
|
OP
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31 |
Over the past few weeks we have been inundated with cormorants (think this is what they are).
I have not been there to witness but my sister-in-law said they come in the morning (she said about 200 of them not sure) and start dive bombing and eating fish.
As a side effect there are many cranes and herrons along the shore waiting on them to drive fish into the shallow water. She said she saw a blue herron with a bass in its mouth so big it could not fly off with it.
Any ideas on what to do?
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 236
Fingerling
|
|
Fingerling
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 236 |
I would start with a shotgun....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
|
|
Hall of Fame
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,012 |
Wow! What part of Mississippi are you? My pond is in southern Ms. and I've never seen a cormorant there.
1 ac pond LMB, BG, RES, CC 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
|
|
OP
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31 |
I am in Hinds county.
Talked to my biologist and he has seen same in another pond in the past week.
We have a healthy population of TFS and he said likely due to cold weather some of them have been killed off and they are coming in to feed on them.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 339
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 339 |
I would start with a shotgun.... Nailed it. That would be the fastest and most cost effective way to stop this today. I have never had to deal with them, but I think they may be protected by law. Cannot condone anything illegal.
Free expert fishing tips. Just call BR-549.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
|
|
OP
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31 |
It is my understanding they are federally protected.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame  Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
It is my understanding they are federally protected.
I understand you can get permits. Your other technique is SSS.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44 |
You are allowed to harass them without permit, with permit (which depends state to state) you can remove them. If it is temporary issue, I would harass first.
Brian
The one thing is the one thing
A dry fly catches no fish
Try not to be THAT 10%
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 128
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 128 |
Shotgun cracker shells may work, they fly about 200' then explode.
I Subscribe
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71
Hall of Fame 2014
|
|
Hall of Fame 2014
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71 |
Shotgun cracker shells may work, they fly about 200' then explode.
Fishing has never been about the fish....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842 |
In a clients 7/8 ac pond, I did a fish survey this past summer. There were between 1 to 5 cormorants visiting the pond on a daily basis. Roughly 70% of the fish that were caught and re-released into the pond had signs of getting hit by the cormorants, but escaping. There was a total of almost 1,000 fish inspected.
Just think of the added stress and potential for infection on those fish that escaped.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31
|
|
OP
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 31 |
I was at home this week end and witnessed the problem.
I did scare them off with a shotgun.
They stayed gone 10 minutes and were back.
I guess I will try for a few consecutive days and see if that will work.
Also noticed a few sea gulls in the mix.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,930 Likes: 2 |
can you see what kind of fish they are actually eating? You said somthing about dead shad?
Are they eating shad or other fish?
Seagulls usually eat dead or half dead fish...
Last edited by BobbyRice; 01/27/14 11:46 AM.
Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,386
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
|
|
Ambassador
Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,386 |
CGF, instead of scarin em off, leave them breathless!!
Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35
Administrator Lunker
|
|
Administrator Lunker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35 |
"Scaring off" has been mostly successful here. We live on our pond. Even so, the flying gangsters are always nearby.
How successful you are depends greatly on your being on-site at your pond, especially in the morning. They can show up at any time but morning seems to be their favorite (at +- dawn).
Every spring I go through the same routine of blasting them when ever I see them. Eventually they get sick of it and go to other waters nearby. They still check in on occasion to see if the noise has abated.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Wouldn't it be nice if grenades were legal?
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35
Administrator Lunker
|
|
Administrator Lunker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35 |
Wouldn't it be nice if grenades were legal? No, thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Wouldn't it be nice if grenades were legal? No, thanks. Ah you just need to count right after you pull the pin and not throw too late. 
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 01/27/14 06:27 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36
Lunker
|
|
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,596 Likes: 36 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Why in the hell did they wait so long?! Any background on that video?
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910 |
It was an promotional for a hearing aid company.
Two ponds, 13 and 15 acres on the Mattaponi River.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842 |
Cecil, I'm think I heard that it was a training exercise. No word if it was supposed to go off that soon or not.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Cecil, I'm think I heard that it was a training exercise. No word if it was supposed to go off that soon or not. Those are the kind of guys that look up a gun barrel to see if it's loaded. We has a guy like those two when I worked with ordinance in ANG. Always screwing up and fortunately we mostly worked with BDU's (bomb dummy units). We always said though if we went to war we'd have to take him out behind a building and shoot him as he'd get us all killed with real bombs. We missed Desert Storm by 20 minutes. He lived. I think he was a child of the 60's with fried brain cells. Everyone called him "Doc." No clue why.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 01/29/14 10:56 AM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35
Administrator Lunker
|
|
Administrator Lunker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44 |
Brian
The one thing is the one thing
A dry fly catches no fish
Try not to be THAT 10%
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
Yup! You know those guys with the red head bands that are dead ringers for Chong of Cheech & Chong.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 01/31/14 06:50 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
Hi.
I have had the same problem here.
After trying several methods (it s illegal to kill them here) I ve had best results with scare-eye ballons.
I ve bought 6 of them in 3 colors for my 1 acre pond and fixed them on poles around the shore.
No more cormorants in my pond exterminating my LMB.
Just remember to turnover colors every pair of weeks.
Filippo
Last edited by ItalyBASS; 03/28/16 11:35 AM.
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Fil, would never have thought of that.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Add a scarecrow and move it once per week, this helped back when my Tilapia were dying. Not a perfect solution but it did help to keep them away, especially after harassing them everyday. I hate um
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
With scare-eye balloons you don t need to harass them.
Just put them on a pole (or a branch) around your shore and you're done.
Just remember to turnover colors every two weeks.
Here it's the only working thing against those pests.
Hope it will work there too.
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Filippo,
Welcome to PBF!
Can you post a picture of one of the balloons?
Thanks,
Bill D.
![[Linked Image]](http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=11852&filename=I_subscribe_zps2qlyoyn2.gif) Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
Thank you Bill for your welcome! Sure I can, here we go  Be sure to buy the ones with the chrome wheels stickers 
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670 |
Wonder if this would discourage the gbh too?
Cmm
CMM
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
You re welcome Bill! I m happy to help when I can.
CMM unfortunately no way the ballons will help with herons. At least they don t care about them in my pond, but for sure herons are more and more less harmful then cormorants. In my pond herons eat some little fishes near the shore, cormorants swim everywhere catching every kind/size of fish, eating only those they can swallow and leaving biggers dead. I hate cormorants so much....
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670 |
Thanks for the advice Filippo.
CMM
CMM
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
Thanks for the advice Filippo.
CMM
You re welcome CMM!
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,185 Likes: 44 |
IBass,
Cool, good to have another plan for them.
Thanks!
Brian
The one thing is the one thing
A dry fly catches no fish
Try not to be THAT 10%
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
IBass,
Cool, good to have another plan for them.
Thanks! You re welcome. I m glad to be somehow of help to you experts. We all know what would be the right way to get rid of cormorants...  But as long as it will be illegal balloons are the best alternative.
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,534 Likes: 842 |
Here, some pond owners can get a permit to permanently discourage them.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175
|
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 175 |
Here, some pond owners can get a permit to permanently discourage them. Good to hear!
Filippo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Wish I could get close enough to permanently discourage them... Them critters can sure see good!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16 |
Here, some pond owners can get a permit to permanently discourage them. I get an annual permit from TPW and then authorize my hunters/fishemnen as agents. Paperwork is a PIA . They carry a copy of the permit when at the pond and it has done a good job of moving them out.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,312 Likes: 300
Moderator
|
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,312 Likes: 300 |
aeb, the state permit is no longer available. Everything got turned over to the feds. IIRC, this is the new permit info. https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-13.pdf
AL
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71
Hall of Fame 2014
|
|
Hall of Fame 2014
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,795 Likes: 71 |
the state permit is no longer available. Everything got turned over to the feds. 
Fishing has never been about the fish....
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
Same thing with counting votes in our upcoming election, no longer counted by states. So I was thinking pond but this popped up, senior moment!!
Tracy
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16 |
Not good! Looked back at some earlier posts and apparently, TPW sent all permit holders a letter. Either I missed it or it fell in a hole. Took a look at the Federal permit and it is a non-starter for me.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 997 Likes: 57
|
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 997 Likes: 57 |
the state permit is no longer available. Everything got turned over to the feds. X 2
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
Wish I could get close enough to permanently discourage them... Them critters can sure see good! Reverse fish them. Tie the hook and bait deep enough that when they get hooked they drown. It how my grandfather feed his family during the war with ducks. He said its not cool when you get a swan that way but you need to eat.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Can't you destroy critters that are destroying your property?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
|
|
Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Legally no Pat. I don’t recommend that anybody break the law. However , if I was raising chickens and a hawk was getting them........
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Funny every time cormorants show up I feel the need to "sight in " my 22.......
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57
|
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668 Likes: 57 |
For me, when I set up a target at the far side of the pond and shooting from the hill is about 300 yds. My 22 mag will need to be adjusted as wind dictates. And sometimes will fall shot of the target and the bullet will hit the water.  There is a shooter here that has a really nice rifle to shoot hogs and such, might work well here.
Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.
Tracy
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
|
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
Can't you destroy critters that are destroying your property? Here in Canada here or at least in Ontario you can if it is damaging your farming practice and costing you money. Big game like deer you need to get permission to harvest them if crop damage is too high. If you feel threatened by a racoon, fox, coyote, or ground hog you are allowed to take it. You are allowed to have a varmint gun at hand and not locked up as long as it is un loaded. Ammo/clip stored or hidden. All other guns must be locked weather with a trigger lock or in a safe. Ammo must be locked up as well. Cheers Don.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35
Administrator Lunker
|
|
Administrator Lunker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,713 Likes: 35 |
When I got my permit they quit showing up. They are not that smart so I attributed it good pond management.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080 Likes: 1 |
Funny every time cormorants show up I feel the need to "sight in " my 22....... I "pellet train" them.....
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
|
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Bill that's a great idea! Wonder y I didn't think of that
Those critters can eat a lot real quick
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57 |
|
![[Linked Image from corvettejunkie.com]](http://www.corvettejunkie.com/pb.gif)
