How many trout do these diving birds really eat?

[Jedhead]

I could only wish that the state would open a year long hunting season on those birds. The amount of fish eating birds on any given water body in central/south jersey is disturbing. I have fished Carnagie, deal, Farrington and manasquan last year and I can easily understand why so many guys wonder why there are no sizable fish in the lakes based upon the amount of fish the state stocks. What a nice meal a 8" pike or any other stocker is for those birds. Just my 2cents.

[Gollum11]

Thanks for the info and stories everyone. They really don't rile me up too bad, I just thought it was an interesting question to ponder. What I really found fascinating was how fast they got there after the truck left!

[oelgnal1]

I heard about this last year down in South Carolina, they had a season on cormorants and over 11,000 were eliminated because of the effect they have had on the fishery and I believe they are a concern on Oneida.

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by Jedhead

I could only wish that the state would open a year long hunting season on those birds.

i honestly don't think that would help that much. even if there were a season, none of us hunters like to eat fishy tasting birds. and if somebody were to just shoot them to throw them away, they could be ticketed for waste of game.

no easy solution.