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gracielove · 10-02-2012, 11:39 AM

I live in an area of the state where there is no hunting allowed except in the state owned game lands or places not posted by land owners. Many land owners do not allow hunting because hunters can be more dangerous than the wildlife at times. Anyway, this allows a lot of wildlife to reproduce unchecked. Most of the natural predators are gone now so the animals that are a problem have a huge population growth. Right now the hawks and owls that have reproduced have sent their offspring off to do their own hunting. Until they settle in an area away from people they will attack anything that looks like a meal. They travel around to find a hunting area that will provide them with a consistent food source.

So these young adults travel until they find a hunting area of their own. Unfortunately, many find their way into human areas. They feed on garbage if they can find nothing else. Cats and dogs are easy targets. If your town or city limits has a feral cat population coyotes and birds of prey will feed on them for a while. These birds also eat rodents and about anything else they see or smell that seems like a meal. Farmers used to like having a barn owl around because they would keep the rodent population down inside the barn.

I know NYC brought in some kind of prey bird. I don't remember what kind it was but they live way up on the tall buildings and they are really good at killing birds. The city wanted them to kill pigeons but they will kill any bird sadly.

I have never had a problem with a bird attacking and I live right in the middle of a forest. When Gracie and I walk I keep her right at my side. When we are in the backyard I am always very close to her and watching the trees. If the smaller birds start to fuss I take her in. The other birds have a fit when a bird of prey comes into the area. But I am surrounded by trees and wildlife unlike people in a neighborhood setting where you may not get a warning. I never take her out at dusk or until 2 hours after sunrise because of owls.

It is a time to be extra vigilant about guarding our pets that go outside.

10-02-2012, 11:39 AM	#38
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	I live in an area of the state where there is no hunting allowed except in the state owned game lands or places not posted by land owners. Many land owners do not allow hunting because hunters can be more dangerous than the wildlife at times. Anyway, this allows a lot of wildlife to reproduce unchecked. Most of the natural predators are gone now so the animals that are a problem have a huge population growth. Right now the hawks and owls that have reproduced have sent their offspring off to do their own hunting. Until they settle in an area away from people they will attack anything that looks like a meal. They travel around to find a hunting area that will provide them with a consistent food source. So these young adults travel until they find a hunting area of their own. Unfortunately, many find their way into human areas. They feed on garbage if they can find nothing else. Cats and dogs are easy targets. If your town or city limits has a feral cat population coyotes and birds of prey will feed on them for a while. These birds also eat rodents and about anything else they see or smell that seems like a meal. Farmers used to like having a barn owl around because they would keep the rodent population down inside the barn. I know NYC brought in some kind of prey bird. I don't remember what kind it was but they live way up on the tall buildings and they are really good at killing birds. The city wanted them to kill pigeons but they will kill any bird sadly. I have never had a problem with a bird attacking and I live right in the middle of a forest. When Gracie and I walk I keep her right at my side. When we are in the backyard I am always very close to her and watching the trees. If the smaller birds start to fuss I take her in. The other birds have a fit when a bird of prey comes into the area. But I am surrounded by trees and wildlife unlike people in a neighborhood setting where you may not get a warning. I never take her out at dusk or until 2 hours after sunrise because of owls. It is a time to be extra vigilant about guarding our pets that go outside.