I'm considering thinning the turtles in my 5 acre pond. They do a number on the vegetation I try and establish, despite eating at the fish feeder twice a day.
I was postulating the minimum quantity of turtles needed to fulfill the buzzard role. Perhaps 1-1.5 per acre? I know the population would readjust to equilibrium at some point after I thinned them out but it might give my veg a chance to establish.
On that note, I'm not sure if they have any real predators once they get dinner plate size. Maybe I could get a 10' gator to keep them in check. I know the coons and possums keep the turtle nests in check.
