LLC
The animals we target have a negative impact to deer fawn recruitment, turkey poult production, quail chick production, as well as to your bottom line when it comes to your supplemental feed bill. We can help with those issues!
Predators
COYOTE
Coyote facts
* Researchers confirmed that coyotes killed at least 65 percent of the fawns and were probably responsible for 85 percent of the fawns killed, in some situations.
* Coyotes Eat Fawns. Researchers at the University of Delaware looked at deer predation in a very unique way. They noted that coyote/fawn predation varies across the country from 14 percent mortality caused by coyotes to 87 percent
* The Effect of Coyotes on Deer Populations. ... Now in some high-density locations previously having 50+ deer per square mile, deer are rarely seen. The U.S. Government has to kill over 90,000 coyotes yearly because of stock predation. Tests have been done to confirm coyotes affect whitetail deer populations.
* Coyotes are susceptible to strains of rabies that occur elsewhere in North America and to the other common canine diseases, such as canine distemper. Sarcoptic mange, a parasitic disease, can affect large numbers of coyotes, particularly when the population is dense and the chance of transmission is high.
BOBCAT
Bobcat facts
* Mary Jo Casalena, wild turkey biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, recently shared the findings of her five-and-a-half year telemetry study on wild turkey hens. Over that period of time 41 hens were killed by predators, and while many may assume that coyotes were responsible for most hen deaths bobcats actually killed more hen turkeys than coyotes. Over the course of Casalena’s research project bobcats killed seven hens, earning them the title of the most prolific turkey predator in the region.
* That’s not uncommon — and neither are fawns in the bobcat diet when recently-born whitetail fawns are available. Research conducted in Texas found that the bobcat diet contains more deer during the month of June than any other time of the year. Coincidence? No.
* Its usual method of attack is to jump on the deer's back from a ledge and bite the base of the deer's skull while tearing and slashing with its claws. When the deer drops, the bobcat pulverizes its throat in seconds with fast, strong bites. If a bobcat comes across a fawn, it will not hesitate to make a meal of it. When a bobcat kills more than it can eat at one time, it covers the remains with leaves or other debris and then comes back to finish it later.
* While other native wild cat species are struggling to survive in Texas, the bobcat's secretive nature, highly developed physical capabilities, and ability to adapt to changing conditions have allowed it to thrive. It can be found throughout the state and is especially abundant in the South Texas brush country. However, its shy nature and the fact that it is most active at night keep it from being seen by most people. One way to tell if a bobcat is in the area is by the scratches on tree trunks where the cat sharpens its claws and the climbing scratches on frequently used lookout trees.
Nest Predators
Protecting your game bird populations and nests are critical in wildlife management. We can help control the "nest predators" like coons, skunks and opossum.
RACCOON
Racoon facts
* How many raccoons are raiding your feeders?Just 10 raccoons eating 10lbs feed daily = 3650 lbs annually from just 1 feeder. A good trapper can save you money.
* In addition to rabies, there are other harmful diseases that raccoons can carry and potentially transmit to humans, including raccoon roundworm, which is an intestinal parasite. This is transmitted through unintentionally ingesting a microscopic roundworm egg. Raccoons also pose a serious property threat.
* Raccoons are very effective turkey predators. They will kill adult turkeys, but typically take their largest toll on turkey populations by consuming the eggs. ... If it rains and the hen gets wet, it's very easy for predators such as raccoons to smell the hen or where the hen has walked and trail her to her nest.
* A nest full of eggs, stationary and defenseless, is a far easier meal for a raccoon than a highly mobile adult bird. Because of this, raccoons more commonly depredate quail eggs than prey on quail themselves, making them more of a problem predator during spring and summer nesting seasons.
SKUNK
Skunk facts
* Adult turkeys see their share of battle, but it's the young that are the most susceptible. Snakes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, weasels - all are big egg eaters. And once eggs are hatched, larger predators won't pass them up either. ... In areas with a small turkey population, controlling predators becomes more important.
* Yes, coyotes and fox will eat pheasants and quail, and raccoons and skunks are likely culprits when it comes to raided nests.
* Skunks have two glands, one on each side of the anus. These glands produce the skunk's spray, which is a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as thiols(traditionally called mercaptans), which have an offensive odor. A skunk's spray is powerful enough to ward off bears and other potential attackers.
* Disease Transmission
Skunks are a primary source of rabies in Texas. Human and domestic pet contact with skunks should be avoided. If it is necessary to handle a skunk, take all precautions to keep from being bit- ten, scratched or sprayed.
OPOSSUM
Possum facts
* Opossums (more commonly known as possums) are as ugly as they come, and are fierce predators of turkey nests. While possums are not found in every state, their proliferation is what causes problems in their home range. Possums have an average litter of over a dozen young., they are a problem for turkey nests where the two species overlap.
* Smaller predators, including skunks, raccoons, opossums, and snakes, are the primary nest and poult predators. These may significantly impact turkey populations.
* Diseases carried by opossums. ... There are other diseases that the opossum can transmit, and they include coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and tularemia. When the opossum is infected, leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans as well as animals through their feces and urine.
* Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.
