Well, how can any topic that has provoked this kind of response be inappropriate? Any outdoor enthusiast that does not realize the integrative relationship between pond/lake ecosystems and terrestrial wildlife is missing the most important aspect of wildlife management. No single component of the natural landscape stands alone...everything is connected.
Predator control will always bring out emotional opinion in any discussion. There are no universal solutions as most problems are highly localized and situation specific. I have spent 30 years in wildlife biology in many different regions of the US and predator-prey conflict has always dominated the projects. It has tremendous impact on all wildlife populations (including below the waterline) and domestic livestock.
I welcome personal emails from all Pond Boss followers and answer many questions every month. I will caution you, however, that I base my recommendations on science, real data, and positive results; exclusive of emotion or political correctness. During the course of my career, I have amassed volumes of personal photos & recorded documentation that has been used by various state & Federal agencies, including recently published BMP's.
Finally, in reply to the trapping comment concerning "indiscriminant maiming"--I am quite certain this individual has never met a professional trapper trained to target problem species OR witnessed a large mammal predator ripping the entrails from the belly of a screaming baby animal (domestic or wild) while the mother watches helplessly...I have, hundreds of times.
Email me,
Dan VS
