Winter predation?

[NHMountainMan]

I think where you live in the mountains, you will see a lot less. The bears hibernate so they won't be a threat until the spring when they're feeding their young. I think a lot of the animals where you live will be worse in the spring so I would prepare for that. The amount of snow that you guys get will have an effect on the animals as well.

We had a bear rip up sections of our lawn two nights ago to dig up grubs. I won't use grub killer because it also could kill our honeybees. But the bear disappear in the next month or so. I'm most concerned with Fishercat and weasel, possibly coyote. I know everyone is trying to feed their young in the spring, but was thinking the weasel family might be the most desperate in the snow.

 

[NHMountainMan]

I have a real problem in late Spring and early Summer as a pair of Cooper's Hawks nest and raise their young across the street. The first year I was here they had triplets so there were 5 hungry hawks flying around honing their hunting skills for a few months. Thankfully they only had one baby last Spring. Winter is when I actually see the Fishers and raccoons (and deer and turkey but they aren't a problem). This winter should be interesting as the Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a very snowy season. That will likely make food a little more scarce.

This winter should be interesting as the Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a very snowy season.

I love a snowy winter - if its gong to be cold, at least lets get some snow! Fisher are my worry for winter. Last year we saw our first lynx, but they're mostly after rabbit.

 

[FortCluck]

We had a bear rip up sections of our lawn two nights ago to dig up grubs. I won't use grub killer because it also could kill our honeybees. But the bear disappear in the next month or so. I'm most concerned with Fishercat and weasel, possibly coyote. I know everyone is trying to feed their young in the spring, but was thinking the weasel family might be the most desperate in the snow.

Fisher cats get worse in winter. They're nasty creatures. I remember them! I've seen a few, they're insane at stalking things.

 

[FortCluck]

I love a snowy winter - if its gong to be cold, at least lets get some snow! Fisher are my worry for winter. Last year we saw our first lynx, but they're mostly after rabbit.

Lynx are gorgeous! I've yet to see anything in VA besides deer, opossum, and fox. None go near my yard because the neighbors mastiffs and hounds will get them. Only reason I don't mind their free range dogs.

 

[SarahGfa]

I live in California, in the desert. Predators are worst in late summer and fall, because they come to people's backyards looking for water.

 

[slordaz]

I think where you live in the mountains, you will see a lot less. The bears hibernate so they won't be a threat until the spring when they're feeding their young. I think a lot of the animals where you live will be worse in the spring so I would prepare for that. The amount of snow that you guys get will have an effect on the animals as well.

that is area dependent as to what predators are in your area, I live in the mountains and we don't have bear issues any time of the year here but they do hibernate but we have wolves ,coyotes,mountain lion, weasels, muskrat,skunks, raccoons, eagles, hawks,owls, feral cats and dropped of dogs that have gone wild cause people are entitled to have pet then don't want them after they get outta the cute baby stage or they get to many tickets for animals at large cause they just have an animal don't want the responsibility of one. etc and none of them hibernate or migrate really.

 

[cmom]

Here in Florida, spring is the worst for us when the predators are out looking for mates and having their young. It was last spring when a fox took my Gladys during the middle of the day, which was my fault for letting her out and then getting sidetracked. It was a female and I did relocate her. I have since seen other fox. Our biggest threat is coyotes because here they have nothing that preys on them but they prey on everything else including bobcats and fox if they catch them. Especially during the hot summer months they mostly hunt at night and go in their dens during the day.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I love a snowy winter - if its gong to be cold, at least lets get some snow! Fisher are my worry for winter. Last year we saw our first lynx, but they're mostly after rabbit.

you guys have lynx that far south? did not know that (pretty cool though).


for me i guess i really start knowing/start seeing signs the first snow. just had a mink come around last night from the tracks.

but i guess the predators all depends on the season and where you live. for example. it changes in a short area depending where you live/habitat. my family owns 3 chunks of land. one parcel it seems to be all year do to the amount of coyotes. where i live it seems once the rivers/ponds freeze the mink/weasels start running and deal with them till spring. and the last parcel (which is up near the boreal forest) is well i would not raise chickens there due to the amount of predators

should note the predators which i know of (seen or been told are in my province and areas where we own land) are, mink, weasel, marten, fisher, skunk, otter, raccoons, wolves, foxes, coyotes, bobcat, lynx, cougars, black bears.

 

[NHMountainMan]

you guys have lynx that far south? did not know that (pretty cool though).


for me i guess i really start knowing/start seeing signs the first snow. just had a mink come around last night from the tracks.

but i guess the predators all depends on the season and where you live. for example. it changes in a short area depending where you live/habitat. my family owns 3 chunks of land. one parcel it seems to be all year do to the amount of coyotes. where i live it seems once the rivers/ponds freeze the mink/weasels start running and deal with them till spring. and the last parcel (which is up near the boreal forest) is well i would not raise chickens there due to the amount of predators

should note the predators which i know of (seen or been told are in my province and areas where we own land) are, mink, weasel, marten, fisher, skunk, otter, raccoons, wolves, foxes, coyotes, bobcat, lynx, cougars, black bears.

Lynx have begun to repopulate northern New England, particularly Maine, but some in NH and Vt. We got a few pictures last winter on game cameras. I’ve gotten to know the fish and game officers pretty well. Apparently the snowshoe hare population has been growing, drawing lynx further south. I’ll admit to being jealous about wolves- hoping they’ll also find their way back. You can keep the Cougars though!

 

[Alexandra33]

Fall and winter are killers for my flock. It's during these months where raptors make themselves a daily nuisance due to a decrease in food supply. Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawks, (as well as Northern Harriers) are partial migrants, therefore, some individuals stick around for the season to prey on unsuspecting poultry. I truly struggle keeping all three particular birds away. Losing far too many beloved pets has made this birdwatching fanatic rather bitter towards hawks.

~Alex