Snapping up young waterfowl



Posted August 26, 2007

Jim Lee column: Snapping up young waterfowl
Turtles may be feasting on goslings, ducklings
JUNCTION CITY — What does a snapping turtle eat? "Anything it wants," would be the smart-aleck response.
Unfortunately, that reply is pretty accurate and therein may lie a problem for some state-managed waterfowl properties.
Tom Meier believes snapping turtles are a significant predator on duckling broods at Mead Wildlife Area, a 30,000-acre state-owned property along the Marathon-Portage-Wood county lines.
"We feel the turtle population here may be excessive," said Meier, a Department of Natural Resources biologist and the manager of Mead. "We know ducklings are lost to snapping turtle predation every year.
"We've even lost trumpeter swans (goslings) to snapping turtles. There's no doubt about it."
The extent of that waterfowl loss is unknown. Meier is hoping to study the issue through a graduate student's research at Mead but has yet to secure that resource.
Flowages, ponds and potholes were created in the wildlife area specifically for waterfowl and other wetland species. The shallow, muddy, weedy conditions, however, also furnish ideal habitat for turtles.
Dikes, constructed of dirt and rotten granite to impound water, also flourish as turtle nesting grounds.
"We have to patch trails on the dikes at least every other day during the turtle nesting period starting in June," Meier said. "They climb up on the dikes to dig a hole for a nest. Every time we return, there's evidence of 30-40 new nests. The dikes are ideal for turtle nesting. They're high, dry and easy to dig into."
To curb the snapping turtle population, Meier enlisted a team of four experienced turtle trappers, headed by John Bangart of Mosinee. A year ago, they netted a dozen snapping turtles in three days of trapping.
"They all had feathers in them," Bangart said.
This year, the trappers returned in late July to take several more. Under state law, the turtle harvest season opens July 15, a date that Meier contends is too late to protect waterfowl broods.
"Most duck broods emerge in late May and early June," he said. "They are most vulnerable when they are small and unable to fly. By mid-to late-July, most ducklings are flighted.
"With drought conditions following year after year, the area where broods can be raised keeps getting smaller and smaller," a situation that potentially concentrates ducklings and opportunistic snapping turtles.
"I don't want to eliminate snapping turtles, not by a long shot," Meier said. "They are an integral part of the natural system, but they are interfering with the focused management we are trying to do.
"If studies show turtles are affecting ducks and goose broods adversely, then maybe we need to modify existing rules to allow changes in the turtle trapping framework and allow trapping here during the time broods are vulnerable."
State law allows the taking of snapping turtles with shells 12-16 inches wide. All others must be released. The possession limit is three.
Bangart said his group has taken snappers up to 37 pounds but released larger ones that approached 50 pounds.
"You handle any snapping turtle carefully," he said.
"If they get hold of your finger, they'll snap it right off."
On the other hand, Bangart's group makes certain to get in the last bite.
"We usually make soup out of turtle meat," he said, "but it's also really good deep-fried. To me, it tastes like chicken."
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070826/APC0204/708260567

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Blimey thats one hell of a turtle

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~ Sarah ~
I wish I was a glow worm,
they are never glum,
how can you be miserable,
when the sun shines out your bum!
"I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it." Steve Irwin R.I.P

I read about them taking hunter's dogs, the dog goes to retrieve a shot bird from the water and doesn't return...
The snapper lies in wait motionless until something, anything, comes within snapping range and strikes. Like large snakes they only need to eat every few months if they catch something big enough.

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2.3.0 Southern Painted Turtles
1.0.0 Florida Red Belly
2.3.0 Common Musks
1.0.0 Classic Cornsnake
0.0.2 GALS + infinite babies
0.1.0 Tibetan Spaniel
1.2.0 Brahma Chickens

my gawd thats shocking!!
blummin ell lol

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[br]Feed Me!

1 german shepard x Labrador (libby)
1 Cat (pillow)
6 frogs
8 geckos
1 ferret (slinky)
2 fishtanks (1 marine 1 trop)

I don't know which 'turtle' would have me swim fastest. That or the type you find floating in the sea at blackpool!

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2.3 Emperors scorpions, 0.0.2 Forest scorpions
0.0.3 Flat rock scorpions,2.6 Scrub Scorpions 1.2 Mexican Blacks,1.2 Western Hoggies, 1.1 Grey banded king's het hypo, 1.1 Albino Ruthvens milk snakes 1.0 Talca scorpion, 0.0.1Chile flame T,1.1 Chile Red T's, 2 Loopy Boxers! 1.1 Jungle carpet Pythons, 0.1Green Bottle T.

awwwww what a cutie i have to common snappers heres one who came from the RSPCA in North yorkshire

the pictures were of when he first came in will have to get some of him now he looks much better


i also had anougher one come in was living wild in a nature reserve and was taking the local wildlife... and has been living happily all yay round there. there awasome preadtors and the power in there jaws is 1000Lb thats more than a lion and a great white shark!!

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http://terrapinrescue.weebly.com

www.bluewaterfish.co.uk

thats the thing with all turtles....they start off tiny but end up massive

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ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
Ñ Ç

What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.1.0 Guinea pigs

Not all turtles, there are some that will only reach 4" or so, and quite a few that get to 8"-9", but admittedly most can top out at 12" which is not exactly massive, but the tank they need is!

__________________
2.3.0 Southern Painted Turtles
1.0.0 Florida Red Belly
2.3.0 Common Musks
1.0.0 Classic Cornsnake
0.0.2 GALS + infinite babies
0.1.0 Tibetan Spaniel
1.2.0 Brahma Chickens

pig nosed turtle .... 70cm long

__________________
ANDY B 1

Taken the place of Tops in his absence
Ñ Ç

What ive got0.1.0 '07 Amel corn snake2.1.0 Hermanns Tortoises2.3.0 Cats0.1.0 Guinea pigs

Stupendemys geographicus 10 feet (3 metres) long and weighing up to 5000lbs (2275 kilos)!

Should probably mention it was prehistoric and you won't find these in any petshop!

__________________
2.3.0 Southern Painted Turtles
1.0.0 Florida Red Belly
2.3.0 Common Musks
1.0.0 Classic Cornsnake
0.0.2 GALS + infinite babies
0.1.0 Tibetan Spaniel
1.2.0 Brahma Chickens