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""...have there been any studies on water clarity and feed training with BG?""
Not to my knowledge. It makes sense that if the fish can see a food item from a further distance in the water they will more likely notice its presence, investigate it, and attempt to eat it.

That would be a very good science fair project for a high school student or term paper for a college biology student. Or it would be a good fish project for a PBoss forum member and report the results here or in Pond Boss magazine.


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The wild BG at my dad's old pond picked up eating pellets pretty quick, I suspect that secchi readings of 96" to 108" helped a lot.



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My BG did too.

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RAH - what was your average water clarity when your BG learned to eat pellets. Water clarity could be an important factor in pellet training pond fish.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/07/15 11:14 AM.

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For what it's worth, my water clarity was very dark (and mostly still is) when I tried to get them pellet trained. Sorry bill, no secchi reading, I'm not that high tech yet. I would guess 2-3"???

I will say that when I did try pellets on those old Bg, that it was pre pondboss and I didn't know about hydrating. Just tried it as the hatchery told me to. Tried for two months and nothing happened. Throw a worm or grasshopper in there, and they sure came for that.

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f-n-c - I think if your BG will take a sinking worm then you can easily get some of them on pellets. Chop the worm into 1/2" pieces. Moisten some Aquamax until it has the consistency of damp clay and roll it into 1/2" sizes similar to the worm pieces. Offer them with the worm pieces. They will eat them. If you want a small amount of AM to try I will send you some free. Just PM me your shipping address when the water gets around 55F and you see your BG eating worms.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/07/15 02:27 PM.

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Hey Bill, thanks for the offer and sorry for the confusion. This was referring to my BG that were in the pond before renovation. None of those BG had seen feed for 50 years, if ever. It was also before PB, so I didn't know better ways to try. My BG now easily take to feed, as they all came from the fish guys who fed.

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I do not remember what the water clarity was, but it was somewhat clear because I could see them. I just started throwing in feed a little at a time until they got the idea. They started very slow, and increased feeding over time. I just feed for entertainment. A large snapping turtle got trained too.

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I trained a snapper once too!


If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






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My two snapping turtles are so tame after 12 years I can reach down and pick them up by the tail. However I don't harass them. They clean up all my dead & dying perch.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/07/15 09:37 PM.

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My buddy from Colorado was fishing with me one night on the river here and hooked a big snapper. As he was reeling it in with his pole bent double he told me he had a snag. He gets it up near the bank and his eyes turn the size of dinner plates. I reached down and grabbed the tail and could not close my hand completely around it but managed to get it up on the bank. My buddy turned to me and asked what to do now. I just told him, lose your hook or lose your hand, your call. He cut the line.


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I will say that when feeding the BG one day, I saw the snapper sitting on the bottom snapping at passing BG and thought how silly he was. Next thing I know he was heading off with a pretty nice BG in his mouth. I only saw this once though.

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I killed one recently with the shotgun. I hate killing things but when my fish sell for up to $120.00 each I can't take a chance at losing income.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php?topic=376900.msg2524266#msg2524266

It's illegal to relocate them due to "disease" concerns which I think is BS. I can't imagine that being an issue in the same watershed.

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/08/15 09:30 AM.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






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Could have trapped him and found someone to eat him, but I do understand.

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RAH, ya only saw it once but how often does it happen to keep that thing alive?


Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
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Originally Posted By: RAH
Could have trapped him and found someone to eat him, but I do understand.


I guess but I felt I needed to get him out of the pond pronto. I have trapped them before.

I know folks eat them but considering the salmonella they carry around you couldn't get me to do it.

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/08/15 11:31 AM.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






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I am OK with a few predators taking some fish. The pond is a hobby for me and I enjoy seeing the diversity of wildlife it brings in. I am fine with others managing their ponds differently. That is why we have private ponds.

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I experimented and put dog food in minnow baskets tied to the edge of my old dock. Had wild BG smacking away on the wire in no time.

I am wanting to set up a auto feeder soon.


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Originally Posted By: RAH
I am OK with a few predators taking some fish. The pond is a hobby for me and I enjoy seeing the diversity of wildlife it brings in. I am fine with others managing their ponds differently. That is why we have private ponds.


Understood and I respect that and I appreciate that. I would be the same way if it wasn't part of my livelihood. Wouldn't even be concerned about the herons.

I do wish I could just relocate them legally to a local river. My thinking is the disease concern is actually about exotic pet turtles bought at a pet shop, and they won't want to complicate the law by making exceptions.

I've never heard of snapping turtle die offs from disease. Has anyone else?

Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 02/08/15 05:05 PM.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






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I agree about some conservation laws actually being counter to conservation objectives. Its just a sad truth.

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I can deal with turtles and a heron or two. Went to the country and there were 4 water turkeys on the pond.... Ugh looks like sniper time... Are they tourists or do they live there as residents?


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They are like some snowbirds - they overstay their welcome.

Cecil, I've never heard of Salmonella in wild turtles, only captive ones that have not had adequate water changes.


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Pat, my son called me via the cell, when he was at the pond the other day, telling me about the water turkey on the pond. I told him to take that dam water turkey out. But, but it's illegal he said. I raised him not to kill any animal he did not plan on eating. I guess some thing stuck. But if one shows up while I am at the pond , I guess I will just have to find a way to prepare him. Here in Louisiana we eat the damdest things smile. Maybe cut the breast up into little squares and added to crab boil smile. I also have a Kingfisher that shows up everyday just before the fish feeder goes off. I have chased him all around the pond in my Ranger. If I take off after him , he fly's to the other side of the pond. I figure, by me doing this, he is going to have to expel some energy for the reward. It's like a game we play smile That little Bass Turd.
Cecil, here in Louisiana , we eat turtle and it is really good, it is at the top of the price list at some of the restaurants here. I Garuntee u will like it in Sauce Pecan
Tracy

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TGW1, I've eaten a lot of softshell turtles, and only a few snappers. The softshells are much more prevalent in the lake that I grew up on. You can separate the top and bottom shell on them with just a fillet knife if you find the right spot.


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Originally Posted By: esshup
They are like some snowbirds - they overstay their welcome.

Cecil, I've never heard of Salmonella in wild turtles, only captive ones that have not had adequate water changes.


If the bacteria is present water changes are mute. The CDC recommends hand washing immediately after handling all reptiles included amphibians. All potentially carry salmonella.


If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.






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