Posted: 9/18/2009 12:54:03 PM EDT
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I was reading on the NJ section, about the spread of coyotes, then feral hogs, my friend found a cottonmouth down the road, there were never around the area when i was growing up. Makes you wonder what preps for them. Coyotes are pretty much a shoot on sight in NJ, I figure some light loads of #4 buck or maybe some turkey shot.
But during tough times, what will happen to the various varmints? I do admit that the feral hogs would be good for BBQ. Do we add traps to our preps, what of field mice, they attract coyotes, snakes and others to feed on them. |
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I'd be far more concerned for packs of feral dogs than 'yotes.
We've got a pretty big pack of coyotes about four hundred yards north of my place from the sounds of their howls come sunset. I use to off-road in their areas and I found plenty of their trails well worn with the foot prints of a dozen or more animals. They're busy eating the ground squirrels, bunnies, and rats ... and the occasional stray cat. We walk my dog out there and even after dark we don't fear them. I do carry a pistol but that's mainly for protection of the dog from rattlesnakes. I haven't found a reason to shoot the 'yotes. The local chicken farm is still an indoor one and I doubt that the cattle ranches have issue with them either. |
| Hurricaine Allie saw one in our front yard, the threat of rabies to our dog is the most worrisome. If anything happens to her puppy, she will freak out. I was thinking of $50. And yes feral dogs are a bigger threat, they have less fear of people. I am thinking mostly of field mice, we had a couple of nests of them in the back part of our yard. So far only a black racer has prowled around. But the creek behind us is about 125 yards away. Now there may be cottonmouths there and I bet they find mice tastey |
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Hey TheWind,
Coyotes I think you could probably wipe out with traps or other but best of luck on the field mice! Not gonna happen! You might even tollerate the snakes to have a chance of keeping the mice under control. I hate those little sucker, not a fan of the snake either but they are less prone to getting into the house and pooping everywhere while your away! Prepper |
| I prefer snakes and the black racer is harmless, but we are within the territory of cottonmouths, yes they say north carolina is the northmost extent of their range, but I checked with my piney friends and they say they have seen them a few times, as soon as I get a digital pic of the one I will post it. Color was right and a triangle head....that concerns me the most as kids like to play in the woods and cottonmouths are aggressive. The one was crossing the road to a development, must have been hit. |
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I really dislike takeing the fallowing stance with folks. I'm no Einstien or nothing, but, I am a life long ameture herpatoligist.
There are NO wild cotton mouths in NJ. Sorry, they just aint there. I live in East Tennessee. This area could support cotton mouths, but there are none here either. This is not to say that someone didnt release some cotton mouths in NJ that have been able to find suitable habitat, until it freezes anyway. Just look at all the pythons, and monitor lizards in FL. But as far as a population "working" there way north naturally, Sorry, but it isnt happening. As a genral rule the population of ALL reptiles is down from 20 years ago due to loss of habitat. Unlike coyotes, snakes need a "special slice" of a ecosystem to strive, and prosper, they are not genralist that can adapt to just about anywere like coyote's. Now coyotes over the last 20 years have exploded over alot of the east. I saw one at noon on the side of a hwy off ramp just standing there. It was in a semi rural area, but still, mid day, just standing there. Made me think maybe it was sick, maybe rabies, I dont know though, kinda odd sighting, and I havent heard of any recent rabies around here. Unless you live in a area were they are common, I wouldnt be to concerned about them. There are coyotes around my area. I spend alot of time outdoors, I also walk my beagle in the woods around my home. Feral dogs are my concern as far as a violent confrontation goes, not coyotes. As for traps go, I've got a good selection of traps I have used for everything from extra income, to eliminating pests. I havent used them for food gathering, but could if I needed to. One thing about trapping, it isnt one of those instant gratification things. It takes knowledge and "woods scense" . I got a kick out of watching those folks on that "expidition alaska" tv show. They were sett'in snares willie-nillie, then acted disapointed when they didnt catch anything. If your one of those people who has a list of all the lists to keep up with lists, well, you might want to check trapping off the list, couse its not just something on a list, it actually requires knoledge and skill. (thinly vailed rant) |
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OK well the problem is you are ignorant of all the facts. As far as cottonmouths, I have seen the pics, shown them to friends that pretty much live in the woods here. Was told by one that he has seen other cottonmouths. The terrain is right for them and this snake is much differnt than other water snakes I have seen out canoeing.
As far as coyotes, they are becoming a problem in NJ. So much that they are open to hunt anytime. And maybe you don't have rabies in TN, we do here, in the summer there are many animals tested that are positive for rabies, I think there were 4 last month. and two were in my town. As for trapping, my only consideration is to get rid of pests. Moreso fieldmice. I would have help from friends that hunt and trap extensively, but not for field mice. I would not tell you about TN, where you live, and make deroggatory comments about lists? you don't know me, I don't want to know you and really I am so glad I didn';t bother to make a comment about low post count and you being a troll, go someewhere else |
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Hey First off, take a step back.
I started my reply in a way as to hopefully defuse anyone from getting bent. Looks like that worked out well... Do not call me a troll. Re-read what I posted. If I was a troll, I would not have even tryed to support my ideas. My comment about lists was not directed to you, but as a genral comment about alot of what gets posted here. I had a feel'in you might have taken it as directed to you personally even though you didnt even bring it up, that is why I put the ( ) there. It was kinda tounge in cheek. You are the OP, but lots of folks will read this thread looking for ideas. Trapping isnt for everyone, I even know folks who enjoy doint it that arnt very good at it, but they enjoy there time outdoors and non shtf that all that matters. but it isnt a good idea as a main way to keep food on the table, and that was my point. Even trying to control pests with traps takes skill and knoledge. Here latley alot of what I see getting posted hear is about "what stuff can I get to save me" Survival is a skill, not some "thing" one can put on a list. I have several field guides and not one show cottonmouths north of VA, my most recent guide is 2005. I will again state that there are no wild cotton mouths in NJ. I am not trolling, again, I hate to be THAT person who sayes there is no such thing, but, in this case thats what I'm saying. I'm not saying this to call you out or be a big man and say your wrong, One possability is mis identification. It happens. I have seen scores of wild copperheads in my life. Several weeks ago I thought I saw one right as it was getting dark. It looked just like one, short and fat, the head had the right shape, and it was acting very aggresive striking at my boot. I was 100% it was a copperhead. I pulled my light out of my pocket and it was a midland watersnake. I cant tell you how many people that tell me they killed a snake they thought was a copperhead. I always tell them if you think it is, there is a good chance it wasnt, becouse when you see one for the first time, there is no mistaken one again. When you see a real copperhead, it just screams "I'm a copperhead" I'm betting the same thing is happening up there with cottonmouths. Alot of watersnakes look like cottonmouths. Again, I dont know you and I dont get my kicks by trolling the interweb tell'in folks there wrong. I dont speak up or post on hear unless I feel strongly about something. I've been catch'in snakes since I was in short pants. I'm no expert, but I know a fair bit. I did not mean anything personal about saying there aint cotton mouths in NJ, and I did not intend on upset you with my comment about people with lists. If you took offence, I appoligize. (there still aint no cotton mouths in NJ though  )
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Quoted:
Hey First off, take a step back. I started my reply in a way as to hopefully defuse anyone from getting bent. Looks like that worked out well... Do not call me a troll. Re-read what I posted. If I was a troll, I would not have even tryed to support my ideas. My comment about lists was not directed to you, but as a genral comment about alot of what gets posted here. I had a feel'in you might have taken it as directed to you personally even though you didnt even bring it up, that is why I put the ( ) there. It was kinda tounge in cheek. You are the OP, but lots of folks will read this thread looking for ideas. Trapping isnt for everyone, I even know folks who enjoy doint it that arnt very good at it, but they enjoy there time outdoors and non shtf that all that matters. but it isnt a good idea as a main way to keep food on the table, and that was my point. Even trying to control pests with traps takes skill and knoledge. Here latley alot of what I see getting posted hear is about "what stuff can I get to save me" Survival is a skill, not some "thing" one can put on a list. I have several field guides and not one show cottonmouths north of VA, my most recent guide is 2005. I will again state that there are no wild cotton mouths in NJ. I am not trolling, again, I hate to be THAT person who sayes there is no such thing, but, in this case thats what I'm saying. I'm not saying this to call you out or be a big man and say your wrong, One possability is mis identification. It happens. I have seen scores of wild copperheads in my life. Several weeks ago I thought I saw one right as it was getting dark. It looked just like one, short and fat, the head had the right shape, and it was acting very aggresive striking at my boot. I was 100% it was a copperhead. I pulled my light out of my pocket and it was a midland watersnake. I cant tell you how many people that tell me they killed a snake they thought was a copperhead. I always tell them if you think it is, there is a good chance it wasnt, becouse when you see one for the first time, there is no mistaken one again. When you see a real copperhead, it just screams "I'm a copperhead" I'm betting the same thing is happening up there with cottonmouths. Alot of watersnakes look like cottonmouths. Again, I dont know you and I dont get my kicks by trolling the interweb tell'in folks there wrong. I dont speak up or post on hear unless I feel strongly about something. I've been catch'in snakes since I was in short pants. I'm no expert, but I know a fair bit. I did not mean anything personal about saying there aint cotton mouths in NJ, and I did not intend on upset you with my comment about people with lists. If you took offence, I appoligize. (there still aint no cotton mouths in NJ though )
Just like theres no Black bear in NJ either, (its a new breed with white tags growing out of thier ears.) You've failed to consider that they've been reintroduced, havent you. |
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I would have thought Northern Water snake, ony they have a slim head this snake had an viper's head broad and shaped like an arrowhead, I am in South Jersey, our climate is the same as North Carolina and southern VA....look up a seasonal planting map
We had a 200# black bear cup roaming the development about a 1/2 mile from us...I just got the 45-70 out and told MrsWind....look nice as a rug in front of the fireplace? |