Neighbor is baiting animals....

silentcrow · #21 10/04/07, 08:13 AM

Just running a quick search, WA does not have a listing for "trapping" bears (or coyotes, big cats, etc). It's big game and listed under hunting. Hunting any of these critters requires a license, etc. As for being grateful for predator clearing? I wouldn't be...he's drawing them in! Just for fun, lets say you have 1 square mile with 3 coyotes, 1 bear, some coons and such, and maybe a mountain lion. Now lets start placing bait in the middle. The scent carries and now draws 5 more coyotes, 2 more bears another cat and numerous smaller critters. This is by no means an accurate account of what would be drawn in, but gives an idea. Any farm critters near the area would be at increased risk.

I'd turn it in to local wildlife officers and let them know what is going on. Show them, from your property, the blind and such. Tell them you are finding arrows on your property. Show them if you can.

AJ Williams · #22 10/04/07, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

Interesting comments. neighbor wants to do whatever he wants on his property and it negatively effects the neighborhood. People are outraged, want the Law (government) to stop him. This isn't the same people that are outraged about a guy's junk yard in a neighborhood of McMansions and his rights to do what he wants on his property? Zoning provides a number of protections to a neighborhood, yet people continue to chafe at the thought, UNTIL someone does something to/with their property that effects the whole neighborhood.
Using the logic described on the Junk Yard thread, I guess it is up to you to build a fence around your property.

The guy is creating a seriously dangerous problem for these people by baiting where he is baiting. Any idiot that will shoot a bear with a 45 and not kill it is stupid. A wounded bear or any wounded animal is far past dangerous. Arrows in their yard is also not a good thing. He shoots and misses maybe Cjean gets an arrow in the guts. Real smart guy next door.

cjean · #23 10/04/07, 10:00 AM

silentcrow and AJ, (and a few others), I can see that you actually read what I posted. Thanks, I appreciate your defense.

My point was, we have lived at this location for 12 years (and in the area my whole life) and have never had this problem with predators that we do now, since he started baiting them.

Like I said, I could care less what he does on his own property, as long as it is not endangering my kids and my livestock.

For the most part, I've gotten lots of good advice - thanks again to all of you~

Oggie · #24 10/04/07, 10:03 AM

I'm glad I don't have a neighbor like yours.

I'm sure I'd know exactly what he was doing and what the dangers were.

But, still, I'd just have to have that doughnut.

trappmountain · #25 10/04/07, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbillybob

Sorry I misread (live trap and only read trap).
I use live traps on peoples docks to catch raccoon during trapping season and have cought dogs and cats in them. The live trap doesn't hurt the dog or cat and that is why I use them around where a lot of people live. I don't want to kill or hurt someones pet. I have over a hundred docks that I can set.
Funny I only catch a cat once.
Sometimes I catch a dog twice. I did have one place that I just had to move my trap as I had one dog that would go into my trap every time I set it.
Hillbillybob

PS I have 6 coyote size traps to catch coyotes around where a lot of pets are but you only get one chance at the animal and that is what I tell anyone want me to get rid of a coyote. If I miss then shooting is my only option and I always want to know before hand how bad someone want rid of a coyote.

I caught my own cat! That is why I use live traps. If my best mouser would have been killed or injured I would have been very upset. Besides in a live trap you can shoot and kill them quick. They don't suffer. Even if it is an animal that is sick or causing major trouble(killing livestock, etc) they are still living creatues that should be done away with humanely

fantasymaker · #26 10/04/07, 12:45 PM

A baited trap wont draw a predator out of its range. It will attract to a specific spot what is already in the area. Now if he is just setting up feeding stations thats a bit different. As far as this , your main point I think you just ave to accept that he is within his rights to do so. As for arrows and freewheelers thats a much different matter that you can take to the law.See what they advise you.

Hillbillybob · #27 10/04/07, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappmountain

I caught my own cat! That is why I use live traps. If my best mouser would have been killed or injured I would have been very upset. Besides in a live trap you can shoot and kill them quick. They don't suffer. Even if it is an animal that is sick or causing major trouble(killing livestock, etc) they are still living creatues that should be done away with humanely

You are trapping a lot closer to you house than I am.
The only sets I set close to the house is under water sets in the ponds and along the creek.

I can't say that I won't catch a cat or dog but so far I haven't and My land sets are always useing smaller traps that what they say. I like to turn any animal back into the wild that won't sell and bring in good money. I do use killer type traps for muskrat and beaver so If I catch a young one it is just a loss except for the meat.

I know that it will take law enforcement Sheriff/Game warden to put a stop about the 4 wheelers and arrows.

Hillbillybob

suburbanite · #28 10/04/07, 01:23 PM

I agree, live traps are better because you can release non-target animals.

Hillbillybob · #29 10/04/07, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbanite

I agree, live traps are better because you can release non-target animals.

I get a kick out of people who have never ran a trap line or really know the ends and outs of trapping. I will take a good leg hold any day that is just a little under size for turning out non target animals any day.

When I'm trapping I am doing it to help bring badly needed cash through the winter. I don't want to trap out all the animals that I'm after so I don't have any next year but I do need to make a living. By useing an undersized trap I do little if any damage to the animal that I'm after. That alone helps the pelt be worth more money but if I catch one to young to bring in any money I can turn it out unhurt but a little trap wise. That's OK as I have lots of tricks up my sleeve also.

It has been proven by Canadian and Americans working to establish trapping regulations that the leg hold trap is still the best way to trap animals day in and day out.

I like a lot of trappers have added live traps not because they are the best trap but because if you get around a lot of pets they are the only choice that a responsible trapper is going to turn to.

This guy setting up a baiting station and sounds more like a feeding station if not breaking the law (it sounds like he is to me) is at least doing himself a dis service in the long run.

Hillbillybob

Calfkeeper · #30 10/04/07, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

A baited trap wont draw a predator out of its range. Now if he is just setting up feeding stations thats a bit different.

I think that is what Cjean said: the animals are bringing home bits and pieces of whatever bait the neighbor has out. If the predator population is booming, as was said it is (something about tons of coyotes) then whatever the guy is doing IS bringing in more predators, which is pretty scary if you have children near the area as well. Especially if he is just wounding them and letting them go; they are going to go after easy prey.

cjean, I hope you can get this cleared up soon.

Best of luck.

Rebecca

turtlehead · #31 10/04/07, 03:49 PM

It's possible the predators have been drawn out by drought. We had a freakish number of raccoons and foxes at our place this summer, and there have been reports of bear sited nearby. So it's not guaranteed that the bait is draing the predators - but it certainly isn't scaring them away!!

I think a good fence, if you can afford it, is a great option. It will keep the arrows out (unless they shoot over the fence just to be irritating, in which case go to the cops) and it will keep ATVs off your property. It's an expensive solution, though.

That neighbor really has no sense at all. Maybe the wounded bear will come back and eat him and the whole neighborhood can rest easy again. Hey, it's a thought.

trappmountain · #32 10/04/07, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbillybob

You are trapping a lot closer to you house than I am.
The only sets I set close to the house is under water sets in the ponds and along the creek.

I can't say that I won't catch a cat or dog but so far I haven't and My land sets are always useing smaller traps that what they say. I like to turn any animal back into the wild that won't sell and bring in good money. I do use killer type traps for muskrat and beaver so If I catch a young one it is just a loss except for the meat.

I know that it will take law enforcement Sheriff/Game warden to put a stop about the 4 wheelers and arrows.

Hillbillybob

Yes, I am. I am also trapping for problem animals on my own place. I do want you to understand I am in no way judging you. You are trapping for completely different reasons than I am.