I almost shot a bald eagle yesterday...
Not really, that was just to get your attention.
We have a newly stocked pond on our place, and I have a permit to protect my pond from predation from cormorants, and I noticed a bird cherry picking my prized bluegill at the morning feeding. I think it was just a blue heron, which isn't as big a deal as the cormorant(s), but still.
So before the evening feeding my son and wife were flying kites in the pasture and i see a black (didn't get a good look) bird fly into our trees on the shallow end of our pond away from the feeder. I'm thinking, better be safe and go grab the .22. I know what you're thinking, "don't shoot a .22, have you TRIED to get ammo lately?".
So I return with the .22 (unloaded, but i have 3 rounds on me), and pull to where i have a safe shot if need be. I can't really get a good look at the bird, but it isn't a cormorant. So I go back my dock (son and wife have gone back home at this point) and watch my fish feed. I'm still curious and walk around the pond to where the bird is perched.
I'm about 50 yards out looking at it through the low power scope on the .22. I clearly see a white head and dark black/brown body. I'm thinking now "no freaking way", as bald eagles are pretty rare in south east Texas. Then it flew off, and I'm still able to get a good look at him through the scope and see the unmistakable tail/head/body of a bald eagle.
I've seen a lot of them in ventures in the northern US, but this may be like the 5th one I've seen in the south. Pretty cool that one may have taken up residence on our place.
MFer just better not mess with too many of my fish, or else I'll complain about him on the internet though...
We have a newly stocked pond on our place, and I have a permit to protect my pond from predation from cormorants, and I noticed a bird cherry picking my prized bluegill at the morning feeding. I think it was just a blue heron, which isn't as big a deal as the cormorant(s), but still.
So before the evening feeding my son and wife were flying kites in the pasture and i see a black (didn't get a good look) bird fly into our trees on the shallow end of our pond away from the feeder. I'm thinking, better be safe and go grab the .22. I know what you're thinking, "don't shoot a .22, have you TRIED to get ammo lately?".
So I return with the .22 (unloaded, but i have 3 rounds on me), and pull to where i have a safe shot if need be. I can't really get a good look at the bird, but it isn't a cormorant. So I go back my dock (son and wife have gone back home at this point) and watch my fish feed. I'm still curious and walk around the pond to where the bird is perched.
I'm about 50 yards out looking at it through the low power scope on the .22. I clearly see a white head and dark black/brown body. I'm thinking now "no freaking way", as bald eagles are pretty rare in south east Texas. Then it flew off, and I'm still able to get a good look at him through the scope and see the unmistakable tail/head/body of a bald eagle.
I've seen a lot of them in ventures in the northern US, but this may be like the 5th one I've seen in the south. Pretty cool that one may have taken up residence on our place.
MFer just better not mess with too many of my fish, or else I'll complain about him on the internet though...
0
Replies
-
TL;DR
I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
IKEA Professional Put Together-er
Kickboxing Class Attender
Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs0 -
0 -
TL;DR
I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
IKEA Professional Put Together-er
Kickboxing Class Attender
Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs
^ this0 -
Too bad you didn't shoot it. Those are really good eating.0
-
Too bad you didn't shoot it. Those are really good eating.
too high in mercury/DDE0 -
don't you dare:
and then
0 -
FYI OP... people who vent on MFP almost always end up ragequitting. just sayin'.0
-
They have become pretty popular in the south these days. Next time you go to your pond, make sure you take a camera.0
-
FYI OP... people who vent on MFP almost always end up ragequitting. just sayin'.
Oh god, that would be fantastic for us all!
I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
IKEA Professional Put Together-er
Kickboxing Class Attender
Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs0 -
Sure, shoot all the birds that get anywhere near your pond. Glad you didn't kill the eagle because it seems to me that you like shooting things.
Hard for me to understand this mentality.0 -
Sure, shoot all the birds that get anywhere near your pond. Glad you didn't kill the eagle because it seems to me that you like shooting things.
Hard for me to understand this mentality.
My permit is for double crested cormorants only...so maybe, just maybe, I took the rifle so I could positively ID any bird I may have been looking at before I even bothered to load to gun, much less take a shot...0 -
Sure, shoot all the birds that get anywhere near your pond. Glad you didn't kill the eagle because it seems to me that you like shooting things.
Hard for me to understand this mentality.
My permit is for double crested cormorants only...so maybe, just maybe, I took the rifle so I could positively ID any bird I may have been looking at before I even bothered to load to gun, much less take a shot...
Why do you feel the need to murder innocent animals just trying to survive?0 -
This I gotta see....
0 -
FYI OP... people who vent on MFP almost always end up ragequitting. just sayin'.
Oh god, that would be fantastic for us all!
I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
IKEA Professional Put Together-er
Kickboxing Class Attender
Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs
He'll just come back as another noob.
That is pretty cool about the eagle, though. I saw one on my way home from my dad's in DE, and wasn't sure I was really seeing what I thought I saw! Then I saw another one closer to home a couple years later.0 -
Notwithstanding the obvious direction this thread is gonna go. .
My old office had a third floor window overlooking a lake. I watched one day as an osprey dove for and grabbed a fish, then the bald eagle perched in the tree nearby chased him down and harassed him until he dropped it, then caught the fish in mid air and flew off to eat it. . . damn thief.0 -
Any way to net the fish pond?
I would put in a wildlife pond somewhere else on the property to encourage the wildlife to go there instead.0 -
Q. Does the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service control double-crested cormorants when they cause damage?
A. The Service’s primary role in double-crested cormorant management is to oversee, coordinate, and authorize control activities conducted by individuals and agencies. We authorize the take of cormorants either through the issuance of depredation permits or under the authority of depredation orders. Permits allow the permittee to take cormorants, their eggs, and nests in order to alleviate specific damages. Such permits are issued only after the individual or agency has applied for a permit, has demonstrated that damage has occurred, and has tried a variety of non-lethal management activities which have proven ineffective. Before issuing a permit, the Service determines that any authorized take has a reasonable chance of resolving the damage, and that the take will not have a significant negative impact on the migratory bird resource. The Service could undertake control of cormorants on lands that it owns, such as National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries, but it normally would not conduct cormorant management activities on other public or private lands.0 -
CSB.
:laugh:0 -
I was thinking this was some golf term I was unaware of. Like maybe OP shanked a drive and almost put it into the hole he had just left.0
-
Wouldn't want him to have that 22 after that, now would we?I was thinking this was some golf term I was unaware of. Like maybe OP shanked a drive and almost put it into the hole he had just left.
0 -
A nesting pair was found in southern AZ from what I saw. They are coming back strong and are showing up in areas they where never seen before. I would try to use line with reflective tape tied to it strung over the pond. That might freak it out enough that it might leave your pond alone.0
-
There's a golden Eagle living in a friend's neighborhood in Mansfield. They are large.
By the way ammo is starting to be available again in the Dallas area.0 -
Yeah Stephen is that kind of awesome!:laugh:0
-
Why do you feel the need to murder innocent animals just trying to survive?
Population control for one. Overpopulation of certain types of animals can decimate a local ecology. That's part of the reason there are hunting seasons in which you can only take certain types and sexes of animals.
Deer and a lot of birds can over breed and wipe out local food sources.0 -
Sorry my OCD was bothering me that you missed one. Love the signature btw!!!Sure, shoot all the birds that get anywhere near your pond. Glad you didn't kill the eagle because it seems to me that you like shooting things.
Hard for me to understand this mentality.
My permit is for double crested cormorants only...so maybe, just maybe, I took the rifle so I could positively ID any bird I may have been looking at before I even bothered to load to gun, much less take a shot...
Why do you feel the need to murder innocent animals just trying to survive?
I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
IKEA Professional Put Together-er
Kickboxing Class Attender
Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs
Edited: messed up on bolding lol0 -
Yeah Stephen is that kind of awesome!:laugh:0
-
As it is nesting time for bald eagles, there may be one nearby. If that is the case, they will be looking to feed little ones soon, so that may not be great for you. But, having lived in Alaska for 25 years and having the opportunity to see them often, I must say they are amazing to get to watch. Hopefully it was just making a pit stop!0
-
Why do you feel the need to murder innocent animals just trying to survive?
Population control for one. Overpopulation of certain types of animals can decimate a local ecology. That's part of the reason there are hunting seasons in which you can only take certain types and sexes of animals.
Deer and a lot of birds can over breed and wipe out local food sources.
This causes starvation. This is a very slow and painfull death for the animals. It also allows dieases to spread quickly and decimate the local population.0 -
Sure, shoot all the birds that get anywhere near your pond. Glad you didn't kill the eagle because it seems to me that you like shooting things.
Hard for me to understand this mentality.
My permit is for double crested cormorants only...so maybe, just maybe, I took the rifle so I could positively ID any bird I may have been looking at before I even bothered to load to gun, much less take a shot...
Why do you feel the need to murder innocent animals just trying to survive?
0 -
Oh okay! I was thinking s***. You almost shot America! WTF????0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions