River Otter

[Walcrabass]

Glad to see that you are pleased with the restocking of the River Otters. As you have stated it has created income for you(and the Conservation Department in the form of licenses). But as seems to be the norm for our society today a very small percentage of the people reap some benefit from what ends up costing the rest of the population very dearly. There are some things that just don't fit in our society today. Such as Grizzly Bears in some areas that they used to exist. I used to go trapping with a friend and I fished while he ran his traps.I am curious as to which bait you use for these critters. Is it Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Crappie?

[CrappyKing]

I've seen quite a few otters at stockton. Mostly while duck hunting in the winter though. There usually running across the ice. As stated these things are fish catching and killing machines. There terrible for smaller streams, rivers, and ponds that cant sustain or repopulate in a short amount of time.

Catching an otter while trapping is "cool". I've trapped myself and I would love to catch one. And I'm sure when elk season is opened in SE MO it will be "cool" for the hunters who are able to bag one.... But in the big picture of things it isnt "cool" for thousands of dollars and damage these things are going to cost the people who live near them. Otters unfortunately can travel long distances over land and can migrate through virtually the entire state via the stream and creek systems. Honestly there more of a problem then they are good. Ya there neat to see but somewhat of a step back in all the smallmouth, trout, and other fish populations that the state worked so hard to reestablish in so many areas.

[Walcrabass]

I've seen quite a few otters at stockton. Mostly while duck hunting in the winter though. There usually running across the ice. As stated these things are fish catching and killing machines. There terrible for smaller streams, rivers, and ponds that cant sustain or repopulate in a short amount of time.

Catching an otter while trapping is "cool". I've trapped myself and I would love to catch one. And I'm sure when elk season is opened in SE MO it will be "cool" for the hunters who are able to bag one.... But in the big picture of things it isnt "cool" for thousands of dollars and damage these things are going to cost the people who live near them. Otters unfortunately can travel long distances over land and can migrate through virtually the entire state via the stream and creek systems. Honestly there more of a problem then they are good. Ya there neat to see but somewhat of a step back in all the smallmouth, trout, and other fish populations that the state worked so hard to reestablish in so many areas.

[Walcrabass]

You are exactly correct. It will be "Cool" for a relatively few Trappers and Hunters. The rest of the General Public, Ranchers, and all people who purchase Vehicle Insurance will pay for these animals to be here. Kind of funny that we do not receive any of the money from the sale of the licenses to go after them. The Ranchers are already cringing at having to feed the Elk(their hay)and repairing their fences. I remember old friends of mine that used to hunt Colorado in the days when the ranchers got some money for each persons tag that killed a Deer on their property. What has happened to giving to those that deserve a little? It is almost as if the Farmers/Ranchers are EXPECTED to feed all this Wildlife. I guess it is the way of things today. One entity gets the benefit while others pay for them to have it.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

One thing we have to look at is the fact that it it wasn't for us taking over, i.e habitat destruction, roads, cities, subdivisions, etc, then a lot of these animals like elk and bears would still be here anyway. Is it really right for us to say that they don't belong here, even though mankind are the ones to run them off in the first place.

I understand the concern from the farmers and ranchers about the elk problems, they will end up feeding more hay, fixing more fence, etc. But what about the damage the overpopulation with deer in this area has caused?

But what about the problems that cattle and hogs have caused by farmers not taking care of fences and getting into neighboring crops, yards, etc? I've never had a farmer offer to pay me anything to replace a food plot that their cattle destroyed. Besides, where do you guys think the feral hog problems came from? It's from hog farmers several years back releasing them out into the wild when it got too expensive to feed them. I happen to know a few around here that did that, and several throughout Kansas that did it.

Don't mean to get on a rant, but as I hunter, I love having these animals back in Missouri

[laker67]

Don't mean to get on a rant, but as I hunter, I love having these animals back in Missouri

Get out there and shoot every dang one of them. I don't hunt, so you can have my limit too.

[Walcrabass]

One thing we have to look at is the fact that it it wasn't for us taking over, i.e habitat destruction, roads, cities, subdivisions, etc, then a lot of these animals like elk and bears would still be here anyway. Is it really right for us to say that they don't belong here, even though mankind are the ones to run them off in the first place.

I understand the concern from the farmers and ranchers about the elk problems, they will end up feeding more hay, fixing more fence, etc. But what about the damage the overpopulation with deer in this area has caused?

But what about the problems that cattle and hogs have caused by farmers not taking care of fences and getting into neighboring crops, yards, etc? I've never had a farmer offer to pay me anything to replace a food plot that their cattle destroyed. Besides, where do you guys think the feral hog problems came from? It's from hog farmers several years back releasing them out into the wild when it got too expensive to feed them. I happen to know a few around here that did that, and several throughout Kansas that did it.

Don't mean to get on a rant, but as I hunter, I love having these animals back in Missouri

[Walcrabass]

I am a hunter also. I have hunted the Deer, Elk, etc. All I am saying is that if some entity imposes a financial burden on someone then they need to pay for it. Kind of like having a car wreck when it is your fault.And don't forget that the Deer were stocked also. I am just growing weary of the people who deserve to be reimbursed not getting it. When the Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone the Ranchers were PROMISED they would be paid for the livestoc damage they incurred. Read a little about this on the internet and see just how much they have been given for damages.Almost nothing.The wolves are eating them out of house and home .... literally. Third and Fourth generation ranchers are going broke... and throwing in the towel.Just think about it for a minute. In the case of these Otters it is not only the private pond owners that are suffering a loss it is also the people who fish the public waters. You pay for a license, tackle, boat, gas, vehicle, bait etc. but the numbers of fish you are after has been diminished.Once again.... it costs you.... but another entity gets the money. It just is not the place and time for these Otters to be thrust upon our society. They just don't do much good in the broad picture. Kind of like having a Computer given to you if we were in the 1850's. Maybe they should be here, but not at that time zone.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

Oh I agree about the otters. I don't trap, so I have no use for them. They don't put money back into the economy. Elk, on the other hand, will eventually. It's kinda like when the conservation dept brought in armadillos from Texas. What's the point? same with rattlesnakes, I believe it was. They don't benefit us at all. I'm all for allowing the animals to repopulate on their own, black bears, mountain lions, but some of the animals they bring in have no purpose.