Turtle eradication

[Whatsquirrel]

My front pond is full of turtles & next month we’re stocking it with 500 catfish, 50 talipa & 75 brem. So since we’ve been working down by the barn building chicken coop, duck houses & rabbit pens. The Sentry has been getting a rather decent work work. Here’s one from this afternoon. Neck shot. He didn’t even move.

[Whatsquirrel]

Sorry about the poor 1st picture. The turtle’s laying on the log.

[Frank in Fairfield]

Must be in Texas!

[Nvreloader]

A 22 or 25 cal, and the reason for shooting these critters is?.............

Tia,
Don

[Frank in Fairfield]

I guess he can’t run fast enough to catch them.

[Blowpipe Sam]

A 22 or 25 cal, and the reason for shooting these critters is?.............

Tia,
Don

I can't think of a turtle that isn't tasty. I understand the need to remove predators from a fish pond. I prefer to trap them though. 

[ranchibi]

That’s a heck of a shot! Definitely need to get them out before the planting of game fish.

[Whatsquirrel]

A 22 or 25 cal, and the reason for shooting these critters is?.............

Tia,
Don

.22 cal. They eat the little fish. They have to go since I’m about to drop close grand on stocking the pond.

[Whatsquirrel]

That’s a heck of a shot! Definitely need to get them out before the planting of game fish.

Thanks. It 53yrds to the log he’s sitting on.

[Bullfrog]

No judgement from me. I kill otters out of my ponds with the same prejudice you may turtles.

I have a soft spot for turtles, and most of what we call “streaked heads” in Florida (sliders in most part of the country) aren’t efficient enough at catching fish to make a dent in the pond. Softshells and snappers are different but I still value them is scavengers and food items (err... snappers are protected in Florida now so I don’t eat them  ).

You may find that after your fish populations are established and self sustaining that the aquatic weed control turtles give will outweigh losing a fish once in a while. I’m a big believer that stocked ponds need a healthy aquatic weed population moreso than conventional wisdom dictates. The vegetarian/omnivore species are great at keeping weeds from taking over while still letting them thrive. At night they’ll graze in the weed beds under water and keep them clipped back.