Cormorants

[JIMMY L]

It's way past time for the state to do something about these "devil birds". The standard reply to any query has been "we are looking into it".How many more years and thousands of trout,not to mention bass,sunnies ,well every species being decimated before action is taken? They do a great job at the hatchery producing fish for our over populated state. I was enjoying a great spring with two breeders and two oversized rainbows .Released those and kept some of the smaller browns for the table. These smaller fish which supply the most action for the fishermen are being wiped out in some lakes within days.So i put it out there to all:what do we do????

[acabtp]

So i put it out there to all:what do we do????
uh, nothing, they are wild birds. you going to shoot all the bald eagles who eat stocked trout or trophy smallies too?

is this a serious thread?

[NJ219bands]

SC hunters killed 11,653 cormorants last hunting season. www.thestate.com/2014/04/04/.../exclusive-sc-hunters-kill-more.html They ruined the fishing in Carnegie Lake.

[Eskimo]

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It's a messy issue. I wouldn't normally support killing non-game, native wildlife but this is becoming an issue. I wouldn't mind seeing hunters with a migratory bird stamp shoot those cormorants.

When I was kayaking Merrill Creek Reservoir, one of those birds nearly shit on my head. I wasn't even under it. It actually projectile shitted in my direction.




.

[JIMMY L]

uh, nothing, they are wild birds. you going to shoot all the bald eagles who eat stocked trout or trophy smallies too?

is this a serious thread?

Not trying to start a pissing contest.Twenty years ago there were zero cormorants in my home lake. Now there are twenty swimming in wolfpacks wiping out every fish they can .Just was hoping the state would try to control them like any other species that becomes a nuisance.Deer,Canada Geese come to mind (also wild species i believe). I dont recall mentioning anything about shooting eagles but smartass answers sometimes make thier way into all discussions.

[acaravaglia]

I usually don't like killing of things senselessly, however lets face it. These birds show up (only) during trout stocking periods each spring. Each spring there's more and more. I cant tell you how many times I've fished local ponds and the only one catching fish are the damn birds. I'm all for it. Let's solve this problem. Otherwise let the birds live, and keep barely reducing stocking (because of a bacteria outbreak, caused by birds in the first place) and stop charging us fishermen extra money for trout stamps. That's my two sense.

[Denlon]

SC hunters killed 11,653 cormorants last hunting season. www.thestate.com/2014/04/04/.../exclusive-sc-hunters-kill-more.html They ruined the fishing in Carnegie Lake.

I agree with the comment about Carneige Lake. I often fish the board walk area by the Princeton aqueducts for Calico Bass in Carneige Lake.
Although we aren't talking trout here, you can watch the cormorants diving down and feeding all day long on crappies, sunfish, perch, small bass, etc.

I realize that this is all natural, and they hafta eat too, but I also like to eat the crappies and yellow perch they are scoffing down.

Also, at the dinky Mohawk Pond in Red Bank these birds seem to know when the stocking days are. Many of them sit on the pond overflow drain in the middle of the lake and rapidly go into action feeding on the trout as the stocking truck is dumping them in.

I've fished both these places for many years, and I never remember seeing them when I was a kid 60 years ago. Now the cormorants are all over.

Denny

[jmurr711]

i saw 1 eat a carp last year since then i have waged a secret war just know if i invite ya to a turkey dinner at my home it may be "fishy"

[acabtp]

they're just a part of nature, like snapping turtles, snakes and all the rest of stuff that eats the trout besides people... but unfortunately cormorants taste like garbage (fish actually). so no hunter that i know, myself included, would waste a shotgun shell on one... and i eat canada geese (not known for their flavor) all the time, so i am not exactly picky.

i really wonder what those SC hunters did with their birds

[Mjh609]

they're just a part of nature, like snapping turtles, snakes and all the rest of stuff that eats the trout besides people... but unfortunately cormorants taste like garbage (fish actually). so no hunter that i know, myself included, would waste a shotgun shell on one... and i eat canada geese (not known for their flavor) all the time, so i am not exactly picky.

i really wonder what those SC hunters did with their birds



Nothing I'm sure. They're just douche bags who get a thrill out of killing something. I've almost gotten into fights at the beach and lakes when I've seen people messing with seagulls or geese. I'm sure there will come a time when I see someone hurt a wild animal intentionally and I end up hurting them.

[buzzbaiter]

Mergansers can do a hurtin' on fish pops in rivers & streams as they hunt in packs. I've seen them on some very small trout streams. I once spooked a bunch and one of them actually regurgitated its last few meals when it saw me (this happens to me on some blind dates too. lol) any how the pic is below. It was two white suckers and a 4" wild brown. This is one mergansers meals in one hour or less of feeding. Multiple this by thousands of birds times hundreds of days of feeding and u can see how they could put a serious dent in fish pops. IDC about the suckers but the trout? That's another issue entirely. I've also seen them on the Raritan(main & both branches), Delaware and Paulinskill.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c207/NJPaAngler/09242011051.jpg

I've seen cormorants at Merrill staring down at me from the standing timber but never seen them feeding. That reservoir is chock full of fish so they don't seem to be bothering the fish there.

[Almaink]

Cormorants have ruined Colonial Lake in Lawrenceville too. All year long maybe 5 or 6 birds live there, but once the stocking starts they fly in from the Delaware River in droves to gorge on trout and whatever else they can catch.

[Eskimo]

http://www.michigansportsman.com/2010/Oct_Nov_Dec/Cormorant_4_photo.jpg


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http://www.lakeontariooutdoors.com/cmsresources/Stories/2011%20Show/cormorant-content.jpg

[buzzbaiter]

Cool pics! Yellow perch are schoolers(even more so as juveniles) so it makes sense they can gobble up a bunch all at once. Most predatory gamefish like bass, pickerel, trout tend to be solitary feeders which may help them survive being eaten by birds en masse.

[Eskimo]

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Those scoundrels like to eat Pike, too!


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/02/04/article-0-1192B0C5000005DC-394_634x560.jpg


http://www.fishingfury.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/cormant1.jpg

http://www.fishingfury.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/cormant2.jpg

[Ol Pedro]

Santee Lakes in San Diego has Cormorant problems They tried boomers, put in Catfish instead of Trout , even larger Trout with limited success. Finally they got a kill permit and that stopped it for a while.

[Bassload]

uh, nothing, they are wild birds. you going to shoot all the bald eagles who eat stocked trout or trophy smallies too?

is this a serious thread?

This is a very serious problem! Look it up. I guess you think we should do nothing about invasive Asian carp in Ohio? Sometimes action is needed to keep the balance. FYI the fish have always been here the Cormorants haven't always been in NJ. They are as bad to fish as the feral hogs are to crops. Great pics from Eskimo posts.

[dfish28]

I love freshwater but as far as cormorants go... I'd love to see all there heads blown off: what good are these invasive species doing? I remember seeing them in Florida years ago and hearing the same whisper... Blow there heads off...!!!
If a bald eagle could swim underwater it would most likely be fairing a lot better, look at these black devils that dive down and chow up..I'm just sayin...survival of the fittest may have to include eliminating
Certain pests!!

[Mjh609]

Wow, that last post sounds incredibly unintelligent. Cormorants are NOT invasive. They are a native species and you guys are on here crying about them eating non native bass and trout? Get a freaking clue.

[dfish28]

in·va·sive
inˈvāsiv/
adjective
1.
(especially of plants or a disease) tending to spread prolifically and undesirably or harmfully.


I consider them highly undesirable...

[surfrod]

how about just relocate them to Passaic?

[gspdark1]

I love all you guys on here and have learned so much from ya'll, so I'm shocked that some ya'll can't see the forest from the trees.

[Ol Pedro]

gspdark1 ,would you care to elaborate on your statement ?

[ATH1089]

Cormorants are common to wetlands all over North America. They are not an introduced species like LMB, snakeheads, or feral pigs. Those animals are all the fault of human beings, and while the LMB has found a niche with sportsmen (the very reason it was introduced), the others are certainly not to be taken lightly. However, they are very different from a species that is just annoying like the cormorants.

Feral pigs were used for comparison in this thread. They tear up farms, attack pets, destroy property, and breed at a prodigious rate. They have become a problem because humans allowed them to become a problem. Cormorants are just making a living. They are a wild animal doing what wild animals all over the world do: eating, and making more little wild animals. The trout stocking program provides a great deal of entertainment for many sportsmen, but it is just that: entertainment.

These birds are a natural and essential part of the ecosystem. Are they breeding in greater numbers than usual? Possibly. Are they a detriment to their environment? Not that I am aware of. The trout are stocked for you to have fun. The suggestion that these birds should be evicted from their natural habitats because they are feeding on your hobby is a little bit disappointing. As fishermen, we should be preserving the environment in every way possible, not exterminating an animal for the sake of convenience.

[bigfishy]

Well put 1089 ....

[ATH1089]

Then make them buy a Trout stamp like the rest have too.
Trout stocking was not meant to be a free lunch for wild animals.
Ever see the signs that say "don't feed the birds"?
As much as I I like to see wild animals in the wild, I don't think that the Fish Game supplying them their dinner is doing them or fisherman any good,

The more sensible solution is to stop stocking the trout. What ecological purpose does it serve? The birds have always been there; they are not a new species. They are just taking advantage of something that humans are doing, and getting themselves food with the smallest possible effort: the goal of every wild thing with a growling stomach.

[Bassload]

The more sensible solution is to stop stocking the trout. What ecological purpose does it serve? The birds have always been there; they are not a new species. They are just taking advantage of something that humans are doing, and getting themselves food with the smallest possible effort: the goal of every wild thing with a growling stomach.

These birds have not always been in NJ. Also trout are not the only fish these birds eat in large numbers. (Eskimo posted pics in an earlier thread that shows they eat just about anything) I never said let's wipe them off the face of the earth. However, they are a problem to many states across the country and Canada. It's not just a Jersey thing. Also the reason I used the feral pig as a comparison is Cormorants do cause damage to trees shrubs and vegetation. This is due to the large amount of guano/shit they produce. The pigs may be more destructive.....but you yourself said humans allowed them to become a problem. So all I'm saying is control the numbers before it's to late.

[ATH1089]

These birds have not always been in NJ. Also trout are not the only fish these birds eat in large numbers. (Eskimo posted pics in an earlier thread that shows they eat just about anything) I never said let's wipe them off the face of the earth. However, they are a problem to many states across the country and Canada. It's not just a Jersey thing. Also the reason I used the feral pig as a comparison is Cormorants do cause damage to trees shrubs and vegetation. This is due to the large amount of guano/shit they produce. The pigs may be more destructive.....but you yourself said humans allowed them to become a problem. So all I'm saying is control the numbers before it's to late.

I did see the pictures. However, none of these species are endangered in any way, and I have yet to see evidence of damage caused by cormorant droppings in my own outings.

[Bassload]

I did see the pictures. However, none of these species are endangered in any way, and I have yet to see evidence of damage caused by cormorant droppings in my own outings.

Exactly! Not "yet" I can't make it any easier for you to understand. Go research it on Google.

[gspdark1]

gspdark1 ,would you care to elaborate on your statement ?

ATH1089 pretty much said it for me. We can't replace one species in favor of one we (as humans) prefer. It's up to us to be both sportsmen and conservationists.

[buzzbaiter]

Speaking of natives, NJ has few native fishes worthy of pursuit. Pumpkinseed sunfish, chain pickerel, yellow perch, suckers, eels, shad, fallfish, creek chub and bullheads are native to NJ. Crappie, Walleye, Carp, Pike, Musky, Bluegill, LMB,SMB, Rock Bass along with rainbow & brown trout all introduced. Imagine a NJ w/o bass. Kind of strange to think about huh?

[Mark B.]

The USF&WS manages them:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Management/cormorant/cormorant.html

[ATH1089]

Exactly! Not "yet" I can't make it any easier for you to understand. Go research it on Google.

I did, actually. And as an ecology student, you do not need to lecture me on the dangers of introduced species or invasive species. To my knowledge, these birds have had no negative ecological impact in New Jersey. Which is, unless I miss my guess, what this particular forum is dedicated to. There has been no study in New Jersey regarding their impact, or any changes made by them. The only issue is the one faced by sportsmen, which does not matter one whit from an environmental standpoint.

The birds were not always in New Jersey? I sincerely doubt that. Just because you do not hit something as often as a deer with your car does not mean they are not here. How often do you see cougars or coyotes in NJ? Almost never, but I guarantee you, they are there. Fish and Game will not even admit it, but ask anyone who spends a significant amount of time in our woods.

[acabtp]

How often do you see cougars or coyotes in NJ? Almost never, but I guarantee you, they are there. Fish and Game will not even admit it, but ask anyone who spends a significant amount of time in our woods.
they're super wary, so it definitely is pretty hard to see the coydogs with your own eyes... but my trail cam sees them ALL the time. in denville.
http://www.tombeauchamp.com/misc/hunting/coyote_1024.jpg
just wild animals trying to do their thang

[Ol Pedro]

Cormorants are smart birds. When you put easily caught food in front of them they will take advantage of it. Small shallow impoundments help them catch their prey. They are like a Fox in the Henhouse. Corner the prey and pounce. Depredation permits are only a temporary fix. Spring Trout Season doesn't last that long in my home waters as there are no holdovers. Putting up with the occasional Trout being eaten for three or four weeks isn't that big a deal to me. Hatchery Trout are dumb at first and easy pickings. The local population of fish seem to be fine with the birds present.Too bad they taste like SH!+ or there wouldn't be a problem. Peta would be selling shirts saying "Love Cormorants don't eat them".

[surfrod]

The USF&WS manages them:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Management/cormorant/cormorant.html

Fantastic... maybe we can get Harry Reid to round them up.

QUICK, SOMEONE CLAIM THEY ARE THEIRS AND THAT THE FEDS NEED TO STAY AWAY!

(just don't talk to the press afterwards ;) )

[Bassload]

I did, actually. And as an ecology student, you do not need to lecture me on the dangers of introduced species or invasive species. To my knowledge, these birds have had no negative ecological impact in New Jersey. Which is, unless I miss my guess, what this particular forum is dedicated to. There has been no study in New Jersey regarding their impact, or any changes made by them. The only issue is the one faced by sportsmen, which does not matter one whit from an environmental standpoint.

The birds were not always in New Jersey? I sincerely doubt that. Just because you do not hit something as often as a deer with your car does not mean they are not here. How often do you see cougars or coyotes in NJ? Almost never, but I guarantee you, they are there. Fish and Game will not even admit it, but ask anyone who spends a significant amount of time in our woods.

LOL! You're an ecology student? Really? Well then you should know if Cormorants have been here In NJ all along or not. Well "student" here is some homework for you. I'm including a link to a study done in Ohio back in 2006 that should put this link to rest. Once again let me point out that I'm NOT saying kill them all but their numbers are increasing. Also it's not just the "stocked trout" (or as you put it just a sport fish) that they birds eat it's all kinds of fish. This report also shows how THEY ARE DESTRUCTIVE to plant life which you claimed they were not. I'm guessing your just a freshman and don't know any better.

However, you were right on one thing. No study has been done in NJ. Care to guess why? That's because until recently they had not been in NJ in any large numbers. Now they are and now is the time to act before they become a much larger problem like in the Great Lakes Region.

BTW Fish and Game does admit to coyotes in NJ and has for some time.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/coyote_info.htm

The Cororant report is 196 pages. Enjoy the read and I wish you well with your degree.

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/documents/OhioDCCOfinalEA.pdf

[ATH1089]

LOL! You're an ecology student? Really? Well then you should know if Cormorants have been here In NJ all along or not. Well "student" here is some homework for you. I'm including a link to a study done in Ohio back in 2006 that should put this link to rest. Once again let me point out that I'm NOT saying kill them all but their numbers are increasing. Also it's not just the "stocked trout" (or as you put it just a sport fish) that they birds eat it's all kinds of fish. This report also shows how THEY ARE DESTRUCTIVE to plant life which you claimed they were not. I'm guessing your just a freshman and don't know any better.

However, you were right on one thing. No study has been done in NJ. Care to guess why? That's because until recently they had not been in NJ in any large numbers. Now they are and now is the time to act before they become a much larger problem like in the Great Lakes Region.

BTW Fish and Game does admit to coyotes in NJ and has for some time.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/coyote_info.htm

The Cororant report is 196 pages. Enjoy the read and I wish you well with your degree.

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/documents/OhioDCCOfinalEA.pdf

I was already aware of the study in Ohio; that was kind of the point of 'no study in New Jersey.' Sorry if that was too subtle for you. The coyote bit is news to me. I have not been involved in the hunting game for some time, so I do not check up on that sort of thing very often. The stocked trout, however, seem to be the only thing people care about. The birds are not having a negative impact in New Jersey except to sportsmen, who should know better.

They are native to this part of the country, whether you want to admit it or not. Just because there are more of them around does not mean they suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They are taking advantage of natural resources like everything else. More resources is inevitably going to lead to more birds. Is that really so complicated?

[Bassload]

I was already aware of the study in Ohio; that was kind of the point of 'no study in New Jersey.' Sorry if that was too subtle for you. The coyote bit is news to me. I have not been involved in the hunting game for some time, so I do not check up on that sort of thing very often. The stocked trout, however, seem to be the only thing people care about. The birds are not having a negative impact in New Jersey except to sportsmen, who should know better.

They are native to this part of the country, whether you want to admit it or not. Just because there are more of them around does not mean they suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They are taking advantage of natural resources like everything else. More resources is inevitably going to lead to more birds. Is that really so complicated?

If you were aware of that study then why would you say they are not destructive to plant life? Which is a huge part of that study. Seriously, stop making yourself look bad. First the coyote comment and now this. All I have done here is quote facts based on studies done by United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services and the United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Services. Not once have you posted any proof of anything. Just your opinion. And you know what they say about opinions. Again good luck in that degree.

[ATH1089]

If you were aware of that study then why would you say they are not destructive to plant life? Which is a huge part of that study. Seriously, stop making yourself look bad. First the coyote comment and now this. All I have done here is quote facts based on studies done by United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Wildlife Services and the United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Services. Not once have you posted any proof of anything. Just your opinion. And you know what they say about opinions. Again good luck in that degree.

You have posted no evidence whatsoever of any of this occurring in New Jersey. Which, again, is what this entire forum is dedicated to. A species that destroys one ecosystem can have no effect whatsoever on another. New Jersey and Ohio are not the same place. Do you know how to read a map? When New Jersey has done a (preferably independent, but I will settle for a government one) study on the effects of your (incorrectly) labeled 'invasive species,' then I will make a judgement call. Until then, you have absolutely nothing to complain about, because your claims are baseless.

Show me the New Jersey ponds devoid of fish because the cormorants have eaten them all. Show me the tons of rotted vegetation. Show me the cormorants out-competing all of the local fish-eating birds. Oh, wait. You cannot.

[buzzbaiter]

Speaking of animal control...I think cougars should be re-introduced to cull the deer herds. Damn things are everywhere. Oh wait cougars sneak up on you, attack from behind and grab your neck. Check that. Lets have year round hunting. Good idea!

[surfrod]

Speaking of animal control...I think cougars should be re-introduced to cull the deer herds. Damn things are everywhere. Oh wait cougars sneak up on you, attack from behind and grab your neck. Check that. Lets have year round hunting. Good idea!

down the shore, I have an increasing number of anglers that would love a year round season on otters...

[Ol Pedro]

Only saw one Cormorant Sunday at Prospertown .

[Bassload]

You have posted no evidence whatsoever of any of this occurring in New Jersey. Which, again, is what this entire forum is dedicated to. A species that destroys one ecosystem can have no effect whatsoever on another. New Jersey and Ohio are not the same place. Do you know how to read a map? When New Jersey has done a (preferably independent, but I will settle for a government one) study on the effects of your (incorrectly) labeled 'invasive species,' then I will make a judgement call. Until then, you have absolutely nothing to complain about, because your claims are baseless.

Show me the New Jersey ponds devoid of fish because the cormorants have eaten them all. Show me the tons of rotted vegetation. Show me the cormorants out-competing all of the local fish-eating birds. Oh, wait. You cannot.

Well at least your better at geography than you are at proving your point. Jersey is not Ohio. Good job. You're right I haven't posted anything directly about NJ. I didn't feel that was necessary since so many others had already posted it. Have you even read all the posts? DENLON "Denny" posted he's been fishing over 60 years and never saw them until now and in large numbers. TOGHEAD also posted he had been fishing on his lake for over 20 years and until now he had not seen any and now has 20 of them on his lake. ALMAINK points out Colonial Lake in Lawrenceville has been taken over. I guess all these people are liars then right? I guess the study in Ohio is all a big scam since it was done by our gov't? (I'm guessing you have trust issues with them based on your whole "I prefer an independent study, but I will settle for a government one" comment.)

You made the comment that my claims are baseless? I have posted the link to the Ohio study to show what these birds can and will do if their numbers continue to increase. Baseless? Really? The other comment "Show me the cormorants out-competing all of the local fish-eating birds. Oh, wait. You cannot" Well I can actually, that Ohio study you claim you are so "aware of" also shows how can Cormorants have displaced species of birds such as black-crowned night-herons, egrets, great blue herons,gulls etc. It's all in that study.

So ATH1089 we don't need to do a NJ study. I thinking asking the people of this great state to buck up hundreds of thousands of tax dollars (probably more like well over a million) to do a study on something that has already been done is just crazy and irresponsible. However, I guess you rather wait until thousands of Cormorants at our lakes like the lakes in SC. (As posted by NJ219bands) They killed over 11,000 birds! Why that many? It's because like Ohio they didn't control the populations of these birds until it was too late. We don't need a study we just need to be proactive.

You may think you know what you are talking about be you clearly don't. I get it though you're a young college student who thinks he has all the answers. (I probably was the same way) Most of us on here having been fishing long before you were even born. So I think you should really listen to what many have posted on here about how they are increasing in numbers and becoming a real problem. If you want to prove we are all wrong and that they have always been here and it's just angler problem. Please post any link(s) that shows your point of they have always been in NJ. Otherwise, hit the books and maybe do a paper on it.

[ATH1089]

Well at least your better at geography than you are at proving your point. Jersey is not Ohio. Good job. You're right I haven't posted anything directly about NJ. I didn't feel that was necessary since so many others had already posted it. Have you even read all the posts? DENLON "Denny" posted he's been fishing over 60 years and never saw them until now and in large numbers. TOGHEAD also posted he had been fishing on his lake for over 20 years and until now he had not seen any and now has 20 of them on his lake. ALMAINK points out Colonial Lake in Lawrenceville has been taken over. I guess all these people are liars then right? I guess the study in Ohio is all a big scam since it was done by our gov't? (I'm guessing you have trust issues with them based on your whole "I prefer an independent study, but I will settle for a government one" comment.)

You made the comment that my claims are baseless? I have posted the link to the Ohio study to show what these birds can and will do if their numbers continue to increase. Baseless? Really? The other comment "Show me the cormorants out-competing all of the local fish-eating birds. Oh, wait. You cannot" Well I can actually, that Ohio study you claim you are so "aware of" also shows how can Cormorants have displaced species of birds such as black-crowned night-herons, egrets, great blue herons,gulls etc. It's all in that study.

So ATH1089 we don't need to do a NJ study. I thinking asking the people of this great state to buck up hundreds of thousands of tax dollars (probably more like well over a million) to do a study on something that has already been done is just crazy and irresponsible. However, I guess you rather wait until thousands of Cormorants at our lakes like the lakes in SC. (As posted by NJ219bands) They killed over 11,000 birds! Why that many? It's because like Ohio they didn't control the populations of these birds until it was too late. We don't need a study we just need to be proactive.

You may think you know what you are talking about be you clearly don't. I get it though you're a young college student who thinks he has all the answers. (I probably was the same way) Most of us on here having been fishing long before you were even born. So I think you should really listen to what many have posted on here about how they are increasing in numbers and becoming a real problem. If you want to prove we are all wrong and that they have always been here and it's just angler problem. Please post any link(s) that shows your point of they have always been in NJ. Otherwise, hit the books and maybe do a paper on it.

Age=/=wisdom. I am going to assume, at this point, that are mentally challenged in some way. Unfortunately, I am not qualified to teach special education, and spewing plain facts at you is obviously having absolutely no effect. Best of luck to you; you should probably get an MRI or something.

[ATH1089]

down the shore, I have an increasing number of anglers that would love a year round season on otters...

Funny you should mention that. I have lived in NJ almost all of my life (spent a little over a year out of state), and I have only ever seen one otter. And that one was dead, washed up on my beach. Where are people having issues with them?

[AndrewT]

I'm for more cougars....oh, you meant the animal..

[Bassload]

Age=/=wisdom. I am going to assume, at this point, that are mentally challenged in some way. Unfortunately, I am not qualified to teach special education, and spewing plain facts at you is obviously having absolutely no effect. Best of luck to you; you should probably get an MRI or something.

WOW! Shocking! All you can do now is just get angry and hurl insults at me. Sorry if your parents didn't pay attention to you or give you the love you needed. Thanks for the laughs!

[Ol Pedro]

Age=/=wisdom. I am going to assume, at this point, that are mentally challenged in some way. Unfortunately, I am not qualified to teach special education, and spewing plain facts at you is obviously having absolutely no effect. Best of luck to you; you should probably get an MRI or something.

This was a great thread until ATH had to get personal. Just agree to disagree .

[ATH1089]

This was a great thread until ATH had to get personal. Just agree to disagree .

With all due respect, it was retaliatory. See the posts above mine. I have a great deal patience, but even I have a limit. Trying to explain something sixteen times to someone who does not want to listen and insists upon being insulting is it, apparently.

[acabtp]

This was a great thread until ATH had to get personal. Just agree to disagree .
did you read the thread? bassload is the one who turned this into a shitshow

[Rybazłapać]

One of the many things I've learn from this site is that the internet brings out the worst in some people sometimes and that some fishing enthusiasts can sometimes behave a bit fanatically. Are cormorants a problem, maybe. I haven't been fishing long enough to notice. That's something for fish and game to decide and if you think it is a problem let them know and hopefully they'll do something to find out. The lesson I'm taking from this thread is don't try to tell fisherman on the internet that you're going to hinder them from catching fish.

[dboyd101]

http://knotmywisconsin.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/1096443.png


sorry for the extra bandwidth GZ... had to do it..

[go_fish]

I enjoy fishing for stocked trout in Park Ridge NJ (Mill Pond, a.k.a Electric Pond). I can no longer fish there. The Cormorants are decimating the stocked trout in this small, shallow lake. When I try to fish there the Cormorants come right over by me and start hunting for the trout. There is no way I can catch a trout when the Cormorants are hunting the trout down 10 feet in front of me. I have never seen Cormorants in NJ until recently and I have been fishing for many, many years. This is a real problem and I believe it is going to get worse. My fishing license fee's are going to the birds (pun intended).

It would be great if the Fish and Game folks could net these birds (the Cormorants are not afraid of people) and send them somewhere far, far away to a place where the Cormorants would be happy. I am not suggesting they be killed.

[Mjh609]

I enjoy fishing for stocked trout in Park Ridge NJ (Mill Pond, a.k.a Electric Pond). I can no longer fish there. The Cormorants are decimating the stocked trout in this small, shallow lake. When I try to fish there the Cormorants come right over by me and start hunting for the trout. There is no way I can catch a trout when the Cormorants are hunting the trout down 10 feet in front of me. I have never seen Cormorants in NJ until recently and I have been fishing for many, many years. This is a real problem and I believe it is going to get worse. My fishing license fee's are going to the birds (pun intended).

It would be great if the Fish and Game folks could net these birds (the Cormorants are not afraid of people) and send them somewhere far, far away to a place where the Cormorants would be happy. I am not suggesting they be killed.


Send them where? The moon? They're a migratory bird so that's just about the only spot they wouldn't just fly back from.

I really am disappointed in some of the people on this board. Suggesting that we eliminate a native species so you guys can fish for a non native stocked fish that happens to be dumb, easy to catch, and fights like a wet rag for a few weeks out of the year is beyond ridiculous. Get real folks.