They have a leg up on being able to do such when it come to nutria. They are a non-native species & considered an invasive animal. With that alone, very few hoops to jump thru & T's to be crossed & I's dotted to preform such when it comes to reducing their numbers or even, If possible wiping them out, would have no impact on the original, natural ecosystem. Think that is going to be a major issue to make it pass the smell test for all when it comes to having some type of government sponsored predator's control measure. The target animals will be natural, native species in the pre-existing ecosystem so I would imagine there would be no telling how many different studies & the like required to do so.
You know, I really wonder just how many would in truth even start trying to catch predators with a bounty in place that are not already doing so? Know, the way I look at it is like this, "If a fellow is not willing to help himself for the betterment of himself, why should he be paid to do such he was not willing to do to start with?"
And on that note, the Paying to so! Was doing a little math on this deal the other day to see how much affect it would really have. Kinda used the numbers from the other thread where the $30 turkey stamp was mentioned to be bought by the 50,000 turkey hunters that would generate $1.5 million dollars. Say it all was used for a bounty (no overhead $$$$'s at all out of it------- but some would have to be thru reducing that amount downward for bounties). It was suggested that a $15 bounty be placed on predators---------- thus it would fund 100,000 bounties. Sounds effective up until you do this, how much good in truth would removing 100,000 critters from 53,179 square miles have? That would figure out to be removing 1.8, not even 2 per each square mile across the state.
Here, IMO is a more valuable route to take. IF a person is truly wanting to do something, (and that is what it is going to take to start with first) take the $30, and instead of spending it on a state run program, order them 2 dog proofs, buy them a can of sardines & a bag of marshmallows with the same $$$$$$'s. Take them 2 dog proofs come deer season when you there every day or so hunting, bait them suckers up, put them around your corn pile during deer season & catch you some. Guess what, 1 guy catches him just 1.8 predators off his corn pile he has matched per mile what this would do. But the guy hunting the next 40 over catches him 1.8, then you have doubled it. Say you got 16 folks hunting each 40 in a square mile, that 16 folks, they all catch 1.8 predators, that's 28-29 predators off each square mile. And who says each will not catch more? That's how you get the best bang for the buck!
The LA nutria bounty is federally funded. I was just using it as an example to show that a bounty will increase the effort by hunters and trappers. Without the bounty, it is highly doubtful folks would be killing 350,000 nutria a year across southern LA.
There are several differences between the LA nutria bounty and what would be an AR nest predator bounty - one of which you mentioned as native vs non-native species. There are some other differences also. But the point being, in general, in my opinion, an incentive is required to even begin to achieve the harvest of nest predators that would be needed. While I am an advocate of a bounty system, I also admit there would be several hurdles to overcome.
You use the entire state area. I believe there should be some areas excluded. Towns, maybe counties with very little turkey habitat. I believe, like south dakota, the predator removal should be just prior to or during nesting season. While I dont want to discourage anyone from predator removal in November, it is much more effective to remove them in the spring to positively influence nest and poult survival.
I think a bounty would increase effort. In my case, I trap off an on - especially in spring. But I target the easy catches. My coon are very difficult to catch in dp traps. If I were receiving $10 per coon, I would employee some dirt hole or trail sets. I am not going to knock on doors to gain access to other lands. I might at $10 per coon. One coon at $10 equals approximately one bag of corn is how I look at it.
Also, in my neck of the woods, I know of no other person trapping. We have almost no turkeys, so very few of the locals are turkey hunters. It is difficult to get a 14 yr old kid or a low income farm worker to run a nest predator trap line, when the game species that is supposed to be benefitted does not exist there in numbers and there is no monetary incentive for the trapper.
A bounty system, without a doubt, is not going to cure our turkey problem. But, maybe it does make a difference here or there - and those local areas that benefit may spread into other areas. Also, this isnt just about turkeys. Any nest predator removed from the ecosystem could well save rabbit nests, song bird nests, quail nests, and other terrestrial animals.
And the point to all of it - what are we doing now that actually benefits turkeys. What is G&F doing? I surely am not the best informed - but I dang sure am not the worst informed - and I dont see much effort on their part. I surely hope I am wrong on that point and welcome being corrected.
We have got to do something. Barring perfect nesting weather five years in a row - this isnt going to take care of itself.
