Let's talk "relocation"

[shortgrass]

I don't think the number being relocated changes anything. When I submit my forms to our DEEP, every animal I handle is counted either; euthanized by AVMA guidelines, relocated, or released on site. I think the state keeps track of the numbers handled from year to year to determine population increases/decreases and damages. We don't get tags for any of these animals, but some animals do require permits outside of our license. Such as beaver, flying squirrels, otter, muskrat, bobcat, fisher, fox, and coyote. I get a blanket permit for the beaver and flyers, the rest are as warranted (in the eyes of DEEP). There is some overlap of fur trapping and nuisance wildlife laws and regs. Things we can do as fur trappers are not always allowed as NWCO/S and vice versa.

In states that allow the harvest of bobcat for example, it may determine the amount of tags allowed during the hunting/trapping seasons, minus the problem animals already taken. We have no season on Bobcat in CT, so it takes a very, very special permit to even attempt to take one, and I only know of one bobcat permit granted in the entire state.

Thats what I figured, we can't expect officials and employees to have to handle all that, and then assume that all these numbers and animals are accounted for... In the end, it really doesn't matter if its off by a few hundred...until there is a population explosion and then there's also nothing you can do to prevent or help die off... I guess what I'm saying is no matter howuch we try to "fix" a situation, when it comes to "nature" its almost impossible to control. But it helps having an estimate We had a problem with an elk die off in Estes Park, and allowing hunters in cleared off the sick Elk and left healthy ones, a lot FEWER healthy ones. Without intervention who knows, they ALL might have died, or been euthanized... Like the cats.

I can sleep now because I know that my chicken coop is secure and I'm going to keep a trap out for the next 21 days catching them one by one.  They love these marshmallows.

I wish you luck; that is definitely an infestation It stinks having to go through the agony of feeling like you have no choice. I've been there... I honestly still stay up late at night hoping to catch a glimpse of that mother coon so I can track her because I KNOW she'll be back... Fortunately, I don't need a permit here in CO, but it doesn't make it any less of a hassle and lost sleep. I guess it's the price we pay to keep them safe.