What is this predator? **** Coop Cam photo****

[StephensonC]

It definitely looks "mangy". I have 2 large labs that explore these same woods, on a daily basis. I just hope they don't run up on whatever it is.

 

[speckledhen]

Don't mean to bring you bad news… but we have family near Helen who have seen fisher cats in their back yard. Nature finds a way… or is helped out as can be read in the article below talking about how 20 fishers from Chequamegon National Forest in northern Wisconsin were “repatriated” into Tennessee in 2002. They're getting closer!!

http://appvoices.org/2007/04/26/2924/

Being from WI, I have seen them up north deer hunting. I watched one trail the first deer I got, after a bear had run through (eventful morning for a 12 year old!).

Oh, gee thanks. Ack, fishers in Georgia?! We have everything else, including mountain lions and red wolves and now, fishers? Good grief. As if we don't have enough to worry about. May have to get a dog again one day, though can't really afford it. Fishers are pretty darn big, vicious hunters. Wouldn't want to deal with one of those around here.

 

[gawildlife]

Fortunately fishers are not yet recognized as a fur bearer, game or non game species in Georgia. The way it works in Georgia is if it not a legally recognized species is does not have protection. This is the reason the hunter in Troup county was not prosecuted for shooting that florida panther a few years back. The feds tried but had to drop it due to the state's lack of protection. That, of course, is now changed for mountain lions but until the state recognizes fishers it has zero protections.
However, the placement of a trap for any species (other than commensal rodents) does require a license.

 

[MistyMountain]

Oh, gee thanks. Ack, fishers in Georgia?! We have everything else, including mountain lions and red wolves and now, fishers? Good grief. As if we don't have enough to worry about. May have to get a dog again one day, though can't really afford it. Fishers are pretty darn big, vicious hunters. Wouldn't want to deal with one of those around here.

Just wanted to make sure you were prepared

 

[speckledhen]

Just wanted to make sure you were prepared

Not sure one really can be prepared for that one, but I appreciate the information. Didn't expect that.

 

[ChickenPox]

Quote:
VERY good info to have! So you are supposed to have a license to trap hogs? I don't do it, we don't have them in my area, just curious! (I live in GA too!)

 

[gawildlife]

Yes and no. Hogs are not specifically mentioned in the trapping regs. Specifically you are required to purchase a license to trap, buy or sell furbearers. Hogs are not listed as furbearers. The DNR in their publications state that a license is required to set traps for wildlife. So it is going to depend on who you ask.

 

[gawildlife]

Georgia is pretty messed up in one regard. Only the legislature can issue a license via resolution or act. The issuance and enforcement is left to the WRD to interpret. The WRD and DNR are limited within the scope of enacted legislation so if it specifically worded then it's somewhere in between.

 

[ChickenPox]

So what is a commensal rodent? Rats? Possums? Coons aren't rodents.......yet we can buy traps at tractor supply. They even sell coyote traps. And isn't it illegal in GA to trap and relocate? Someone told me that once. They told me I should relocate with a .22. (It was a possum.)

 

[speckledhen]

Knowing most native Georgians who live in rural areas, they do what they feel they have to do to protect their livestock, license or no license, fur or no fur.