Wildlift Population Observations

[Rastus]

My observation is that there are fewer small animals now then 50 years ago.  Fewer even when you take into account urban sprawl.  When I picked up this place in the Ozarks I thought I'd see more animals....like in my youth....but no.

Fewer birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc.  It's somewhat distressing.  The old fellow down the road, 84, who has lived here 76 years says somethings up....not only are there fewer animals but trees and plants don't produce like they used to.

Whaddya think?

[Timothy]

Tree rat galore out here!  Bunnies, waterfowl, upland game a plenty...

The meathead shot a 160 lb (dressed) buck this am...

Black bear, coyotes, bobcats, fishers, you name it!

No issues in central Massachusetts.

[billt]

Here in Lake Havasu small animals are EVERYWHERE. That's most likely because we are the only city in a 40 - 60 mile radius. (Parker is about 43 miles away, and Kingman around 60). So we have Coyotes, Quail, and rabbits galore. (Both Cottontails and Jackrabbits). As well as quite a few Roadrunners.

They are mostly here for the water. They feed off peoples irrigation systems that water their trees and shrubs. It was similar in Phoenix, but no where near as profound because Phoenix has an abundance of canals, man made lakes and ponds, and golf courses.

We do get an occasional Rattlesnake out here, but it's rare. You can find them out in the desert, and you don't have to go far. Just a few blocks. They don't like hot pavement and sidewalks in the Summer. So most of them don't venture into town. And in the cold weather like now, they're pretty much inactive except for the warmest part of the afternoon.

[crusader rabbit]

As I recall my youth, (and that's some time ago) I almost always smelled a little bit of skunk on the night air during the summer months.  I still get a hint of eau d'skunque on occasion when I'm driving out in the country.  But, it doesn't seem like as much or as often.  Around the homestead were still seeing abundant squirrels, a fair number of black racers, and the not-unusual-opossum, and sometimes a raccoon will wander through the back yard.  Unfortunately, our squirrels are of the skinny, tree rat design and not worth shooting.  Neighbors would be upset at the sound of gunfire, so that's out of the question anyhow.

Production from the garden is as good as it ever was, and various fruit trees are doing well (except for an ancient grapefruit that is just giving up on life).

All-in-all, I'm not too worried about plants or wildlife.  I AM a little concerned about over population in the welfare communities, but that's a story for another thread.

Crusader Rabbit

[TAB]

I think it depends on your location morr theen anythibg else

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

Yes, it doesn't hurt that I live near the second largest reservoir in the state either.

[MikeBjerum]

Before moving away from the edge of paradise, in my opinion, I noticed good (equal to past) rabbit population, much lower squirrel, lower Hungarian Partridge (near non-existent) from even 30 years prior, and fair (fluctuating equal) fox, coyote, coon, and skunk, with a rise in the population of possum.  The drainage of the wetlands through the Mississippi Flyway have really harmed the duck population in that region.  Geese handle it better, but not the ducks.  Other wetland animals, muskrat, beaver, weasel, and mink are down quit a bit.  Badgers and woodchucks are suffering with slightly lower numbers as well.

As I typed the above I realized how much things have changed over the past few decades.  What really makes this sad is that with all the programs, CRP and RIM, the numbers should be up and the health thriving.

[Solus]

Just don't know.

I have way less opportunity to observe them than I did 50 years ago.

I have seen deer in my back yard and see squirrels around a lot.  Plenty of birds..but don't recall seeing a rabbit recently... maybe just didn't mark the siting...

[PegLeg45]

Squirrels are in great abundance, but other critters like rabbits have declined. Forty years ago they were plentiful and dropped way off the charts and have made a slight comeback.... but nowhere even close to what they were in my youth. Quail in this area almost went the way of the Dodo, but thanks to some area plantations and game management they have come back in some areas but not much around us. I can open my back door right now and hear plentiful coyotes which I suspect is part of the issue with the rabbits. Coyotes are becoming rampant like feral hogs and we shoot them on sight.
Like CR posted, even skunks are on a decline and I haven't seen as many tactical possums (armadillos) of late.

On a positive note, we do have a resident bald eagle nesting a couple miles down the road.

[Timothy]

Eagles are generally a sign of a healthy eco system!