B'ski I am shocked ! \:o What did you do when you first started to think about a lake (that is no pond) or about building a shed or house? Are you going to just assume that one trapper knows the answers?

Guy get busy and learn all you can about your system (changed or not). Start with a talk with the local wildlife and fisheries dept. Call Dan and ask his advice. Start learning about the species present (tons of studies out there). Get a good wildlife mgt. college text. Set up a game cam and check on numbers and offspring (lots of offspring is an indication of system that will support a growing population). You can do non-lethal removal of small game species if you have a conscious problem. Learn how to trap.

How in the world can you manage a nature preserve if you don't know the questions that need an answer. With the info then you can be the WISE balance in the equation. Nature requires a balance as even the National Parks and Wilderness areas have a manager. Your job is to do so wisely based on info. I don't believe in allowing unfettered access to others to make and implement the decisions that are correctly my burden.

I have seen both sides of your question up close and personal - from hundreds of starving and sick deer or way to many sick and rabid coons (no predators or harvest) to a void of animals due to poaching and unregulated illegal harvest. Both are sickening. Just like balance in a pond without proper intervention you are apt to get one or the other or both. Life is about balance , one way or the other , and like it or not you took on the obligation of chief balancer.




Last edited by ewest; 07/31/09 02:01 PM.