All right! Im just going to jump right and stir the pot.
I believe it may not be a good idea to kill large predators. The reason is because they are often very territorial; hence killing one only opens the door for another to take over the territory.
I think it might be possible to mark our personal territory as off limits and allow the large predators to carve out their territory around ours. All Im taking about is the area needed for the chickens.
Currently, Im doing this with 4 ft wire mesh fencing and a Livestock Guardian Dog. The fence is there to mark the territory (1 acre) and to keep the LGD inside the yard. I have foxes, coyote, bobcats and bear in the area. They sometimes get near the fence line, but are quickly met by 95 lbs of galloping fur and disperse.
I have armed myself with various non-lethal weapons. These are used to get the point across to the would be predator that even though the dog cant cross the fence, I can reach out at touch them. I use airsoft, paintball and bb guns to do the touching.
I believe that by training the local predators Im actually protecting the chickens better, then by killing the predators. This is because the now training predator will defend its territory; not allow untrained predators into the area.
Relative to the small predators, I believe the gloves can come off. I dont have problems with raccoons, rats and the like. Maybe the larger predators are keeping their numbers low. But, if I did the high powered pellet gun would come out.
As Ive seen there are plenty of people on the forum that have, like and use firearms. Thats great, Im just throwing this out as food for thought. Personally the State doesnt allow me to fire such weapons in my area.
Jim
I believe it may not be a good idea to kill large predators. The reason is because they are often very territorial; hence killing one only opens the door for another to take over the territory.
I think it might be possible to mark our personal territory as off limits and allow the large predators to carve out their territory around ours. All Im taking about is the area needed for the chickens.
Currently, Im doing this with 4 ft wire mesh fencing and a Livestock Guardian Dog. The fence is there to mark the territory (1 acre) and to keep the LGD inside the yard. I have foxes, coyote, bobcats and bear in the area. They sometimes get near the fence line, but are quickly met by 95 lbs of galloping fur and disperse.
I have armed myself with various non-lethal weapons. These are used to get the point across to the would be predator that even though the dog cant cross the fence, I can reach out at touch them. I use airsoft, paintball and bb guns to do the touching.
I believe that by training the local predators Im actually protecting the chickens better, then by killing the predators. This is because the now training predator will defend its territory; not allow untrained predators into the area.
Relative to the small predators, I believe the gloves can come off. I dont have problems with raccoons, rats and the like. Maybe the larger predators are keeping their numbers low. But, if I did the high powered pellet gun would come out.
As Ive seen there are plenty of people on the forum that have, like and use firearms. Thats great, Im just throwing this out as food for thought. Personally the State doesnt allow me to fire such weapons in my area.
Jim