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Reason for low ungulate populations
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Wow terrific photos CHB...... Thanks for the share.
more and more a bigger piece if the puzzle. Get out there and wack some press folks.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Good pics Chicoltin HB, thanks for the share.
And welcome to the reality that is the pred issue in some areas of BC.
It is troubling and concerning when you consistently get samplings of diverse preds that seem to be disproportional to prey in a given area.
I am not jumping to conclusions but the number of cats and BB I get on cam is nuts.
I recently posted a video here with a pack of 5 cougars rolling by.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
The big grizz looks like it means business. awesome pics thanks
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Have to wonder what all these predators are eating with low ungulate numbers? Hope to put the hurt on a black bear this weekend....
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Awesome pics CHB...my take on it is yes we need to do our part to take out some preds, as well as support the other drivers of ungulate populations of course such as habitat etc...that being said, you would think that at some point soon, with some of these areas becoming predator pits, that the number of preds will come crashing down...here's to hoping...
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
I heard cougar meat is pretty good eating....if anyone knows please chime in....when hunting I like hunting for meat...other then coyote and other varmit I don't like pulling the trigger unless there is some sort of meat reward lol...I know bear is good just wondering about cougar
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
wow, that there is a smorgasbord of killers. Very cool pics
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Rattler
Have to wonder what all these predators are eating with low ungulate numbers? Hope to put the hurt on a black bear this weekend....
Agree 100%.
Some thoughts....
A few of my better big WT buck areas have low to moderate WT numbers yet they seem to have a lot of preds.
It may not be the number of deer that are in the area but their huntability that is drawing in cats and bears.....and now wolves have recently moved in (and the endless stream of coyotes)
Perhaps it is the changing landscape......my WT areas are being logged extensively.
Is this making these locations more efficient hunting grounds for tooth and claw competitors thus the increased traffic?
Some of the things that run thru my head, when I see areas I know well, that have considerable ebbs and flows in numbers and balance......what are the drivers?
My numerous cams give me a good account of what animals are in any given area I hunt.
What I don't know and only can speculate on is why the swings...what's the cause, the drivers.
We mostly speculate.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Wow those are some insane pics!! You sure there wasn't a huge bait pile somewhere around the cam?! Even still that's a lot of preds. Wow again especially at the first grizz and that garfield. Black bear looks like 80 lbs of burgers to me though!!
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Ourea
Agree 100%.
Some thoughts....
A few of my better big WT buck areas have low to moderate WT numbers yet they seem to have a lot of preds.
It may not be the number of deer that are in the area but their huntability that is drawing in cats and bears.....and now wolves have recently moved in (and the endless stream of coyotes)
Perhaps it is the changing landscape......my WT areas are being logged extensively.
Is this making these locations more efficient hunting grounds for tooth and claw competitors thus the increased traffic?
Some of the things that run thru my head, when I see areas I know well, that have considerable ebbs and flows in numbers and balance......what are the drivers?
My numerous cams give me a good account of what animals are in any given area I hunt.
What I don't know and only can speculate on is why the swings...what's the cause, the drivers.
We mostly speculate.
There is no question in my mind that logging, particularly roads has increased predator movement. Just look at that Banff wolf that travelled 500kms in two weeks.
Here in the WK we have seen heavy predator numbers over the past several years. We are seeing less and less deer, moose and elk but yet the pred numbers haven't changed much? It just has to but knowing how far wolves will go leaves me to wonder...
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
great pics...all preds get arond faster and further on roads that is a forsure..
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
scotty30-06
I heard cougar meat is pretty good eating....if anyone knows please chime in....when hunting I like hunting for meat...other then coyote and other varmit I don't like pulling the trigger unless there is some sort of meat reward lol...I know bear is good just wondering about cougar
It's delicious.
My fave is using it in a sweet'n'sour dish, or a stir fry.
You can make great hams with the hinds.
Regular cuts like steaks and roasts should be marinated or done in a slow cooker, as they are a muscular animal that requires time to ensure it's tender.
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A cougar crossed the road in front of me yesterday at about noon. 25 years driving the same road and it's the first time I've seen one in the road in daylight.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Wow great pictures! That big grizzly looks incredibly intimidating..lol
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
HarryToolips
Awesome pics CHB...my take on it is yes we need to do our part to take out some preds, as well as support the other drivers of ungulate populations of course such as habitat etc...that being said, you would think that at some point soon, with some of these areas becoming predator pits, that the number of preds will come crashing down...here's to hoping...
As you know I'm one that has suggested in the EK ungulate populations are low. No doubt about it. I was talking to a friend who is responsible for the airborn removal of wolves and he suggested, based in collar data and their observations the wolf population is starting to crash.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
J_T
As you know I'm one that has suggested in the EK ungulate populations are low. No doubt about it. I was talking to a friend who is responsible for the airborn removal of wolves and he suggested, based in collar data and their observations the wolf population is starting to crash.
That's good news, thanks for the update.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Logging in the Chilcotin I believe is the biggest factor contributing to the bear boom. It was only 30 years ago when there was hardly a grizzly around very few were ever seen. Now you see them almost daily out my way.
Bears don't live in mature pine forests. With logging brings reseeding of the roads and landings providing ample food for spring and summer food sources. Unfortunately the fawns and calves take a huge hit come spring time.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Rattler
Have to wonder what all these predators are eating with low ungulate numbers? Hope to put the hurt on a black bear this weekend....
I think it's safe to say all preds are opportunists. They will eat veggies and small game until the opportunity arrives for a larger high protein meal.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Fisher-Dude
It's delicious.
My fave is using it in a sweet'n'sour dish, or a stir fry.
You can make great hams with the hinds.
Regular cuts like steaks and roasts should be marinated or done in a slow cooker, as they are a muscular animal that requires time to ensure it's tender.
X2. One of my favorites. Makes pretty darned good sausage too! Honey/garlic
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
chilcotin hillbilly
Logging in the Chilcotin I believe is the biggest factor contributing to the bear boom. It was only 30 years ago when there was hardly a grizzly around very few were ever seen. Now you see them almost daily out my way.
Bears don't live in mature pine forests. With logging brings reseeding of the roads and landings providing ample food for spring and summer food sources. Unfortunately the fawns and calves take a huge hit come spring time.
Logging and new road development provides all animals better food sources, both the predators and prey!! Thanks for the pictures and a hunting related post CHB!! Your posts are always interesting and enjoyable!
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Dash
Wow great pictures! That big grizzly looks incredibly intimidating..lol
YOU SAID IT!
Great thread-kind of info we need!
Enlarged photo-This is even more intimidating! Beautiful background scenery.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...jpg%7Eoriginal
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Well....now that I know that cougar meat is good to eat...hmmm I can see a cougar tag in my future
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
How viable is cougar hunting without hounds?
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Surrey Boy
How viable is cougar hunting without hounds?
I was wondering the same thing. Hopefully some experienced hunter can chime in.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
You can track hunt just like a hound guy would. Get on his trail and start following.I know several guys who have done it effectively. I suppose calling them once you freshen up the track would work as well
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Playing devils advocate here....
how many ungulates do hunters kill compared compared to predators???
vehicles?
trains?
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I am pretty sure you can bait them aswell...would be tough keeping the Bears away....i would imagine tracking on snow would be your best bet....but the pred Ecallers with the wiggling rabbit or bird above it has worked aswell...I imagine that nothing kills more blacktail the cougars....other areas I assume are different but for blacktails I think the big kitty's are the biggest problem
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
I don't think hunter kills come close to pred kills...Road kill probably do a fair number....but if you look at all the meat eaters out there (human not included) now take that number and poundage of meat they eat ALL year long....i don't think hunters numbers would even compair
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Surrey Boy
How viable is cougar hunting without hounds?
Likely not, but there is always the chance encounters while out for a walk with a rifle in hand, so better to have than to wish for one.
That is if one is serious about whacking a coug if given the chance. After all its just another $30 tag , gulp
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Lol what's 30 bucks....could be a once in a lifetime experience.(and no I'm not rich but hell it costs more to take me and the wife to the movies)
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
chilcotin hillbilly
You can track hunt just like a hound guy would. Get on his trail and start following.I know several guys who have done it effectively. I suppose calling them once you freshen up the track would work as well
What are chances a cat will come back on its own trail to a pred call? Would it be better to circle and set-up with the wind maybe?
Have tried twice on a fresh track in fresh snow, and never felt I was getting closer, until the stride length changed to getting-out-of-trouble length, then I quit. Better for follow further?
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
scotty30-06
Lol what's 30 bucks....could be a once in a lifetime experience.(and no I'm not rich but hell it costs more to take me and the wife to the movies)
Carried a tag for about 10 years after my first chance encounter, 25 years later have not had another.
But getting closer........, last year had a coug pic on a trail cam within 30 minutes of setting it up.
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Fair enough but did you put any focus into it or just carried the tag....guess comes down to what ya want....an area I'm hunting for blacktails is thick with cougar sign...fresh tracks and scat every single time I go up to that spot
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Surrey Boy
How viable is cougar hunting without hounds?
When I was 18 or so I heard there was lots of cougars on Texada Island so I phoned the C.O. in the area about hunting them there.........yeh theres Cougars there he says........how you going to hunt them ? do you have hounds he asks......ahh no sir I don't have hounds.......WELL YOU MIDAS WELL BE HUNTIN UNICORNS THEN......and he hung up.........I still laugh everytime I think of his comment !
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
You would have to do your homework that's for sure....bait and cams...and dosnt their season go on longer then deer season....just a thought...another reason to stay in the bush lol
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Is this private land.... looks like some hayfield in the background.
Amazing pics of a party pac of preds for sure !
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
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Originally Posted by
Ferenc
Is this private land.... looks like some hayfield in the background.
Amazing pics of a party pac of preds for sure !
Crown land just outside private land.
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
Those are the best pockets sometimes.....is there many livestock around that private land....wouldnt want to imagine trying to raise cattle with a predator on slot like that
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Re: Reason for low ungulate populations
This is becoming a more common scene in the Okanagan.
This turns out to be a group of five
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLDqpDarBSc