Hookjaw
Otters vs Trout
We have a 20ha dam that is very regularly stocked with Rainbows.
Unfortunately, we also have a healthy population of Cape Clawless Otters (About 8). Does anyone have any evidence of otters' impact on trout populations? We also have herd of Largemouth Bass as a food source for the otters.
Otters are a protected species, so a .22 with a silencer is not really an option, how else can I get rid of these, if it is actually necessary?
Steelhead
Geese!
I used to work for King Fisher Trout farm as a kid, and on the farm they had some geese. Man those things were the best watch dogs ever!
Daryl Human
The solution to any problem -- work, love, money, whatever -- is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
Steelhead
The best way to keep them away is to surround the dam with electric fencing, but 20 ha is a bit big, it will cost you a small fortune. Eish, they could be a big problem but they are magnificent creatures. Killing them must not even feature on your options list.Originally Posted by Matuka
We have a 20ha dam that is very regularly stocked with Rainbows.
Unfortunately, we also have a healthy population of Cape Clawless Otters (About 8). Does anyone have any evidence of otters' impact on trout populations? We also have herd of Largemouth Bass as a food source for the otters.
Otters are a protected species, so a .22 with a silencer is not really an option, how else can I get rid of these, if it is actually necessary?
"Innocence is a wild trout. But we humans, being complicated, have to pursue innocence in complex ways" - Datus Proper
Steelhead
Having had first hand experience with those otters .... they HAVE to become scared of people & boats. They regularly attack hooked trout ... one has even climbed into the boat after a fish!
When animals become accustomed to humans they become agressive - view the latter as a food source. (Like our damn ... I mean d**m baboons in the Cape Point Reserve).
Maybe take out the dominant male with an UNsilenced 12 gauge shotgun .... and then throw a few firecrackers every time you see one behaving aggressively.
I always wanted to be somebody,but now I realize I should have been more specific.
Alcohol is the anaesthesia by which we endure the operation of life. GBS
Steelhead
We are not talking about Colorado here Boet! Is jy bedonnerd!?Having had first hand experience with those otters .... they HAVE to become scared of people & boats. They regularly attack hooked trout ... one has even climbed into the boat after a fish!
When animals become accustomed to humans they become agressive - view the latter as a food source. (Like our damn ... I mean d**m baboons in the Cape Point Reserve).
Maybe take out the dominant male with an UNsilenced 12 gauge shotgun .... and then throw a few firecrackers every time you see one behaving aggressively.
"Innocence is a wild trout. But we humans, being complicated, have to pursue innocence in complex ways" - Datus Proper
Steelhead
Ja no look, I don't think the 12 gauge is a good idea,
but the crackers might work, no harm done!
Daryl Human
The solution to any problem -- work, love, money, whatever -- is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
Steelhead
One thing that rather concerned me is the possibility of rabies. It is common when an animal is infected its behavioural pattern changes completely (like meercats in the Eastern Cape).
These otters are REALLY aggressive - baring their (sharp) teeth when an attempt is made to scare them off without harm.
I always wanted to be somebody,but now I realize I should have been more specific.
Alcohol is the anaesthesia by which we endure the operation of life. GBS
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