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This is where we get back into the subject of disease spread.
If you kill predators, then more predators will move into the empty space left behind. That increased movement of animals from one place to another actually INCREASES the spread of diseases such as rabies (references supplied on request). So by killing predators you are actually increasing the spread of rabies instead of decreasing it.
I have to disagree, rabies can have a long incubation period and once symptoms are present death will occur within 3 to 4 weeks, thats a long time to walk around spreading it.
When I started my removal program this spring, I was busy, now the traps go untouched, tracks on the creek and lake bank are few and far between, no trash cans are gotten into, and for me the tell all is my corn is untouched, coons love to pull down the ears then eat the tips.
I would agree that if you defensivly remove one dominant animal from an area and do not become offensive,,you open up territory for another to freely move in,however we are after them seven days a week and are winning by keeping our area unsafe for predators.
I have to report the same results as Nautical Buoy. After 2 months of active predator removal, my game cam has not captured a predator in my coop area in the third month at all. I'm not naive enough to believe that the predators are gone, it's just that I have removed an easy meal choice.
And to those posters who suggest eliminating people in favor of animals,
.....I'd be glad to offer a few psychiatrist's phone numbers.
I always feel sorry for the OP on threads like this. They are looking for some advice, options and advantages/disadvantages and unfortunately they usually get a litany of "morality plays", which are usually counterproductive to the original topic and usually results in the topic being closed.
The argument for relocation that I'd love to see is one that utilizes radio collars and telemetry units that actually offers positive evidence of the success of that option in different species. But, because they are such a disease vector and naturally abundant, I doubt anybody would ever waste resources on such a study for raccoon and possum.
...from the pouch of his roadkill mother.
