Maine law allows for landowners to use "lethal methods" to control wildlife that preys on livestock. ALL raptors are strictly no-go obviously, but most four-footed predators are fair game.

I've lost chickens to eagles, hawks and a Great Horned Owl, all of which I just had to suck up and let it be as they are protected.

I've also lost chickens to foxes (2 for 4 on them so far) a weasel/marten (batting 1000 there) and tonight I popped a BIG female bobcat right inside the pen! Thought it was a fox at first but then it jumped flat-footed from the ground to the eave of a 7 foot high roof!

I was pretty sure it would be gone by the time I got back with a gun, but the cheeky bitch was sitting right there proud as a peacock contemplating ways to get into the coop (I'd just shut them up and noticed a couple missing and a suspicious pile of feathers).

The trusty AR with a SIG red-dot took care of the situation with a couple shots from about 50 yards.

In accordance with the relevant laws, I asked dispatch to have the Game Warden call me and he said he'll drop off a tag tomorrow so the daughter can have it mounted.

quote:

so the daughter can have it mounted.

A guy's pet monkeys died. He took them to the taxidermist, who asked "Do you want them mounted?"

The guy thought for a minute, then replied, "No, just holding hands."

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Originally posted by PHPaul:
Maine law allows for landowners to use "lethal methods" to control wildlife that preys on livestock.

Same here. Here also, honeybees are considered livestock. A few years back I had a bear get into my hives. When I talked with the local game warden he informed me of the regulations. I asked him if, when I did dump the next bear that came through, I needed to call and inform him. He said, "If you want to."

^ Do you have to surrender the carcass, or is it yours for meat and fur harvest?

No need to call, thus no need to surrender. You'd need to provide a tag in order to get any taxidermy done, but other than that, nothing. And, I don't eat bear meat, so that's no issue.

It sounds like you need a livestock guardian dog.

Cheeky! Aren't all pile of feathers suspicious?

I came across one once, freshly hit. Dragged it off the road, measured it at 37". By the time I got back with a buddy who wanted the fur, it was gone.

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Originally posted by Nick:
It sounds like you need a livestock guardian dog.

Yup, but sadly, Mrs. PHPaul is allergic. Used to have both a dog and a llama. When they were On Duty, nothing, and I do mean NOTHING got through the fence without one or the other (or both) noticing.

If Grump the Dog didn't chase it off, Fernando Llama would stomp a mudhole in it's ass.