Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Heron problem

Herons have been an off and on problem, pulling
catfish from my ponds. I've run them off by firing a shotgun, and had not seen one for
about a month. But, decided to try the decoy
suggestion. Now, I can't get rid of them. Noise only scares them off for a few minutes, and they
are right back. I'm pulling the decoy, but any
suggestions on getting rid of them? At this point, I'll resort to shooting them but its difficult to get more 80 yards to them.

This is a topic that has been tossed around more then a few times on this message board. So far the only tried and true method is to 'eliminate' them, however this is only temporary as others will find their way in. People try the decoy's, train big dogs (Cecil), string fishing across the pond to discourage/trip them, make steeper banks, having over hanging vegetation or thick lilypads, noise makers, scarecrows...etc etc. As of yet nothing seems foolproof other then draining your pond or moving it indoors.

I feel for you. I am having the same problems. I think a late Spring and late fish spawn here in the north is part of the problem.They sure are persistent aren't they! At least they aren't eating your profits like me but I still feel for you. They are spearing my feed trained one to 5 pound bass in the head and leaving them injured as they are too big to eat. My bass are starting to bed which makes them vunerable.

I have put a "scarecrow" motion detecting water sprayer on my pier and I think that is keeping them off my pier. However they still come in and land on the shoreline. My dog is chasing them off when we see them, but we do not always see them as we may not be here or it is as early as 4:15 in the morning. I will now be getting up at that time and keeping an eye on the pond. Sure wish Indiana was on Daylight Savings Time and Eastern time so I would not have to get up so early!Next step is two monfilament fishing lines run from stakes that are parallel and one foot off the water along the shoreline. On the one side is the shore and the other side is too deep of water for them to wade. This may stop the waders.

You are aware that killing them is a federal violation if you are caught? They are a federally protected migratory bird. Some aquaculturist can get a permit to destroy them but it is hard to get. I'd love to blast those SOB's out of the water but would sure be caught! Good Luck!

I have the same problem....1 to 2 dead trout every day! It is the same heron day after day after day.....kills me! Don't know what to do. Cannot string fishing line, it is a fee fishing lake. Can't shoot em...wish I could.

I can write off his damages though........

My decoy rid my heron problem and have not seen one yet this year. I have had cormerants and geese that I didn't want and had great results with a pellet gun. A good one will leave a nice sore spot even at 100ft. A loud noise will scare them off but a well placed pellet is like a gift that keeps on giving. The bird flies away along with any evidence that you did anything illegal and has a little souvenier. I had one goose fly up when I hit it and land again. When it heard me cock the gun again from 40 yards away it took off. If you have the same heron coming in every day he will get sick of landing on the pond that causes him pain real quick. Then he will be your neighbors problem.

I have the same problem!!!! I've tried everything and nothing is working. Maybe a 22 mag. with scope seems to help.