I had a buddy try that whole " don't be an ass about it...that poor cat just needs food. In time, he will trust us and he will be nice." BS! He finally got that cat inside one day after a few months of "bonding" and it went haywire. Tore all kinds of stuff up, most of it mine. Never had a problem with that damn thing anymore. My buddy just thought his precious cat had run away. He never found it, and I never told where i buried it.
I almost killed a feral cat
- Thread starter nathan
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RevolvingGarbage
Member
Ive had 2 cats dissapear since moving to the neighborhood im in now. These were 90% indoor cats that are just let outside a time or two a day to crap and had the best disposition of and cat you would ever meet.
I think if I found out someone shot them over pooping in a flower bed...
My point is, don't go capping any random cat you see stray into your yard. No collar is no safe bet because my cats frequently pulled theirs off and lost them. That "feral" cat you "put down" might be some kids favorite pet that they are going to miss very badly.
I understand that actual feral cats are somewhat of a problem in a lot of places, but honestly unless you leave a ton if garbage out or have an extraordinary rat problem, you are not likely to ever see one in your yard.
I think if I found out someone shot them over pooping in a flower bed...
My point is, don't go capping any random cat you see stray into your yard. No collar is no safe bet because my cats frequently pulled theirs off and lost them. That "feral" cat you "put down" might be some kids favorite pet that they are going to miss very badly.
I understand that actual feral cats are somewhat of a problem in a lot of places, but honestly unless you leave a ton if garbage out or have an extraordinary rat problem, you are not likely to ever see one in your yard.
I'm sorry, but if you really care for your animals you don't let them wander in other peoples yards.
If someone let their pit bull do that most people would agree it was unacceptable, but for some reason its acceptable to allow cats to wander wherever they damn well please.
My fiance has several cats, and they are great, but I hate feral cats with a passion.
Where I live I can't discharge firearms, but there is no law against using hoses, brooms, etc to scare them away. I came outside the other day and found that the feral cats around us had destroyed several potted plants that we had put on the porch, spread dirt and bits of plant everywhere.
If someone let their pit bull do that most people would agree it was unacceptable, but for some reason its acceptable to allow cats to wander wherever they damn well please.
My fiance has several cats, and they are great, but I hate feral cats with a passion.
Where I live I can't discharge firearms, but there is no law against using hoses, brooms, etc to scare them away. I came outside the other day and found that the feral cats around us had destroyed several potted plants that we had put on the porch, spread dirt and bits of plant everywhere.
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leadcounsel
member
I am generally opposed to killing cats. I understand your frustration as I've been there with fighting feral cats outside my window. I've also had neighbors who had feral cats pee or mark their house and it stunk.
If you must get rid of it, you can use a water hose or a sprinker to keep the cat away. There may also be products that will be obnoxious for the cat you can put in your hedge. You could also buy a paintball gun or similar less lethal toy and blast the cat. Just check to ensure that it's not illegal or cruel to animals in your local / state laws.
+1
If you must get rid of it, you can use a water hose or a sprinker to keep the cat away. There may also be products that will be obnoxious for the cat you can put in your hedge. You could also buy a paintball gun or similar less lethal toy and blast the cat. Just check to ensure that it's not illegal or cruel to animals in your local / state laws.
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MCgunner
Member
I've had that problem, myself.
RevolvingGarbage
Member
You honestly don't believe any of that do you?
A 5 pound cat is no danger to anything larger than a squirrel, and most will run from people.
They kill pests and the worst they could ever do is piss on something, but you feel like you are justified in gunning down any poor cat that you see in your yard?
Guillermo
member
Yes,
I was hoping to get a good price on some small engine work.
Besides...like the kitty, you seem kind of feral.
kanook
Member
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Last time I looked, Quail were not considered a pest. Blue Jays, Cardinals, Dove, ect. are not considered pests. Feral cats are considered pests.
It took over a year to get the natural wildlife back into my yard after I removed the feral cats. 9 times out of 10 when the wildlife starts to dissapear a feral cat appears.
So if you want to enjoy looking at a cat, KEEP IT INDOORS so the rest of us can enjoy what nature provided.
Guillermo
member
around here we don't have a feral cat problem, coyotes take care of them. Unfortunately the other small animal population, turkey, rabbit etc also suffer
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
One thing that stands out in these discussions about cats: The town/suburban deal is not at all the same as the rural deal.
Two separate types of problem--except that songbirds suffer in town as well as out in the country.
In town, a cat may be a pet or it may be a feral. Rural, they're 99% feral and thus very harmful to the ecosystem. Songbirds eat bugs, for instance. Feral cats are rough on all nesting birds, aside from stalk-and-catch.
IOW, don't let your particular situation affect your judgement about somebody else's different situation.
Two separate types of problem--except that songbirds suffer in town as well as out in the country.
In town, a cat may be a pet or it may be a feral. Rural, they're 99% feral and thus very harmful to the ecosystem. Songbirds eat bugs, for instance. Feral cats are rough on all nesting birds, aside from stalk-and-catch.
IOW, don't let your particular situation affect your judgement about somebody else's different situation.
MCgunner
Member
I never see feral cats out on my place in the county. I think, as with Guillermo, it's the coyotes, the bobcats, and the hogs that keep 'em down. I do see feral dog packs on rare occasion and I have shot coyotes out there.
We used to have lots of coveys of quail. I'd hear quail break covey every morning. Now days, I haven't heard a covey of quail breaking in YEARS. I think it's the predators and the hogs that have killed 'em out, certainly not cats. Hogs ain't real natural, coyotes and bobcats are, though. Not much one can do about it.
I can't bring myself to shoot a bobcat. I've seen 'em a few times out there, just think they're neat as hell. I don't seem to have that problem with coyotes for some reason. I guess I'm a cat person, but I've owned danged good dogs in the past and there is no hunting buddy quite as good as a labrador for the duck hunter. But, cats are just neat, useless, yes, except for keeping the rats down around here, like any feral animal (ehem, hogs) are a nuisance in nature when turned loose. And, I agree that it does matter if you're rural or in town as to your prospective on 'em. My cats don't seem to take many birds, I'm ate up with dove and song birds around here. They've taken a few, but not that many. They've sure ravaged the rat population, though.
We used to have lots of coveys of quail. I'd hear quail break covey every morning. Now days, I haven't heard a covey of quail breaking in YEARS. I think it's the predators and the hogs that have killed 'em out, certainly not cats. Hogs ain't real natural, coyotes and bobcats are, though. Not much one can do about it.
I can't bring myself to shoot a bobcat. I've seen 'em a few times out there, just think they're neat as hell. I don't seem to have that problem with coyotes for some reason. I guess I'm a cat person, but I've owned danged good dogs in the past and there is no hunting buddy quite as good as a labrador for the duck hunter. But, cats are just neat, useless, yes, except for keeping the rats down around here, like any feral animal (ehem, hogs) are a nuisance in nature when turned loose. And, I agree that it does matter if you're rural or in town as to your prospective on 'em. My cats don't seem to take many birds, I'm ate up with dove and song birds around here. They've taken a few, but not that many. They've sure ravaged the rat population, though.
CoRoMo
Member
That's right. By far the easiest way, and you can then move it to a solid backstop so that you can use that .22 rifle. That's the way we do it; trap, move, shoot, done.
Guillermo
member
Art is certainly correct in pointing out that locations and situations are different.
Back when I lived in a rural area we had a feral cat problem for a while. They would kill the baby and young chickens.
One pop with a .22 and then drop the body on and ant hill and in a few days I had a cool visual aid for a science class project.
Back when I lived in a rural area we had a feral cat problem for a while. They would kill the baby and young chickens.
One pop with a .22 and then drop the body on and ant hill and in a few days I had a cool visual aid for a science class project.
oneounceload
member
You could try mothballs or any of the various products like "Critter Ridder" that use some form of pepper to make him not want to be there
CoRoMo
Member
Guillermo...
What kind of ants? We've tried to use ants to clean up turtle shells, moose skulls, etc. but the ants never really chow down.
What kind of ants? We've tried to use ants to clean up turtle shells, moose skulls, etc. but the ants never really chow down.
Guillermo
member
those were Red Ants
They would strip a deer skull in 10-14 days
MCgunner
Member
Fire ants don't seem to like venison. I've tried to clean up a rack for mounting like that, wind up doing it myself, knife and wire brush.
Guillermo
member
next time I do it I will take some photos. It will be a little gross but the red ants do a good job of the soft tissue. The leather is your own problem
This post reminds my youth, where I grew up is a place far different from U.S.A.
right, I was born in China where I lived was a center of problem of feral cats. We had two house cats they were regularly beaten up by somewhat 20 feral cats in our small yard (the yard is a warehouse for grains and thus the rodents attracted tons of ferals). I was so desperate as a kid one day my male tomcat got his leg bitten very badly, he remained walking with his 3 legs.
Eventually I decided to terminate these beasts. We caught a few beat'em to death.
But people heard my story think I was horrible kid (later I immigrated to the U.S.A), which I wasn't! I suppose in their own minds, cats=cute fluffy little thing that nags your leg. NO, feral cats are one exception, they will hiss, growling, attack whenever possible if you get to close to them, beaten up your house cats, and leave huge feces, fleas in our yard (20 some feral cats). One feral cat even attacked my grandpa, chasing him from the yard into the house and bit him on the bed...
I suppose if you can be certain it's a feral, shoot on sight. (which sadly we didn't have guns in china, the only choice we had is a big stick and swing it at some feral cat's head)
my .02$
right, I was born in China where I lived was a center of problem of feral cats. We had two house cats they were regularly beaten up by somewhat 20 feral cats in our small yard (the yard is a warehouse for grains and thus the rodents attracted tons of ferals). I was so desperate as a kid one day my male tomcat got his leg bitten very badly, he remained walking with his 3 legs.
Eventually I decided to terminate these beasts. We caught a few beat'em to death.
But people heard my story think I was horrible kid (later I immigrated to the U.S.A), which I wasn't! I suppose in their own minds, cats=cute fluffy little thing that nags your leg. NO, feral cats are one exception, they will hiss, growling, attack whenever possible if you get to close to them, beaten up your house cats, and leave huge feces, fleas in our yard (20 some feral cats). One feral cat even attacked my grandpa, chasing him from the yard into the house and bit him on the bed...
I suppose if you can be certain it's a feral, shoot on sight. (which sadly we didn't have guns in china, the only choice we had is a big stick and swing it at some feral cat's head)
my .02$
MCgunner
Member
Anyone sees ya doing that in THIS state, don't call me for bail money. 
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
As noted, the cat is providing both protection to your plants as well as fertilizer.
Domestication does not mean that a given animals has lost all of its instinct. Hunting, chasing prey, etc. are part of the instinct of cats along with other behaviors such as reproduction.
Fly maggots and dermestid beetles tend to consume more of the carcass and quicker.
Generally speaking, ants and fly maggots prefer tissue that is still wet. Dermestid beetles prefer tissue that has dried out.
ljnowell
Member
I cant let my dog out to run loose a couple times a day and crap in all my neighbors yards, what makes you think its ok to do that with your cat? Its not mine, not wearing a collar and crapping in my yard and whatnot, its on the endangered animals list.
mgregg85
Member
I have problems with cats, I keep a bowl full of water balloons by the door. They usually don't come back after being hit with a water balloon.
For all you feral cat hunters.... http://www.buckstix.com/CoehornMortarHunt.htm
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