Doctor Bill,

I don't think there is recruitment, but I don't want any either. The smallest has been around 30 inches and it went to the river because I didn't have time to deal with it on that hot summer day. By removing any 36 and under I hope to just "keep" a few trophy sized ones around.

There aren't many NP caught, just few each year.

I have seen Bald Eagles drop a fish in the pond several times, so perhaps that is where the under 36's are coming from. Maybe those birds are using the pond as their personal holding tank for future meals? More likely they are heavy and the birds loose control of them during flyovers.

Did I ever tell you about the day there was a Bald Eagle sitting by our driveway? He must have been stunned getting hit by a passing vehicle. At the time I thought he was injured. What to do? Went in the house and got him a big chunk of summer sausage to maybe help him recover. I handed the sausage to him and he took it with his beak and started chowing it down. After watching the sheer eating ability of that eagle I went back to the house to call the Veterinarian for some assistance in what further could be done to save him. As I turned away, he squawked and flew off in seemingly good condition. I assume his squawk was a thank you!

Sorry about that! I have a lot of eagle stories floating around in my old geezer brain.