Scottish Wildcat

**figheadair** · 13th August 23, 05:19 AM

The other 'wild cat' that there is some serious consideration to reintroducing is the Eurasian Lynx. In fact, there is evidence that some may already be here due to illegal release, a bit like the beavers in many parts. In due course, we will probably need something like this, of culling, to control the beaver numbers.

**stickman** · 13th August 23, 07:13 AM

I don’t know how big the wild cats are. I was relating it to the bobcat. If it’s only as big as a feral domestic cat then I agree that lambs would be safe. However the release of some things may do more harm than good. I read an article in Cumbria Life about the infestation of American crayfish. Seems like someone released some. Without natural predators they have spread all over. People need to learn how to cook and eat them. I suppose that will take some time. The same will happen with beavers. I had a 79 acre farm and thanks to beavers I could not get to 30 acres. I believe in an ideal natural environment there must be predators to keep things in balance.

**Jock Scot** · 13th August 23, 07:46 AM

Oh don’t mention those wretched American crayfish they have taken over down South! We have been hosting those for years!
I am not sure how far they have traveled North though. They are indeed very good to eat!

The other troublesome American invader is the North American grey squirrel. They have decimated our native red squirrel, mainly through a disease they carry and being more aggressive than the red. Although in this part of the world the greys are no match for the pine marten. Apparently our red squirrel can climb out further on a branch than a grey squirrel and is easy meat for the pine marten and the red squirrel is safe from both.

**stickman** · 13th August 23, 11:01 AM

Those gray squirrels are good to eat also. They don’t stand a chance at my place once the season opens. Once you get the hang of skinning them they are good to eat. I used to look forward to squirrel season. A friend and I had a thing about who could get a limit of 10. We would each take 10 .22 shells and more often than not we each got a limit. But that was long ago, I can still shoot just can’t get around anymore.

**stickman** · 13th August 23, 12:20 PM

When I was much much younger I used to shoot groundhogs, with some friends. If you didn’t hit them in the head it cost you a beer. I shot one at 460 paces grazed his chin and went through his neck. Cost me a beer. But cats in the Woods were history if we saw them. It is unbelievable the amount of wildlife they kill. I have seen one take a rabbit. The number of birds and other wildlife they kill is phenomenal. I used to have some large lizards in my yard but the neighbors cat killed them off. The last straw was was when his cat started peeing on my front door. I finally told him if his cat came in my yard again it would be the last time. Never did see it again.

**Jock Scot** · 13th August 23, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by stickman

Those gray squirrels are good to eat also. They don’t stand a chance at my place once the season opens. Once you get the hang of skinning them they are good to eat. I used to look forward to squirrel season. A friend and I had a thing about who could get a limit of 10. We would each take 10 .22 shells and more often than not we each got a limit. But that was long ago, I can still shoot just can’t get around anymore.

No season for us to bother about in the UK, or bag limits for this dreadful foreign pest!

**stickman** · 13th August 23, 03:13 PM

That’s almost enough to make me move back to the UK. If I wasn’t so old. I did love to squirrel hunt, the best part is eating them. Once you learn how to skin them the easy way. I sure would love to put a dent in the population.