FOR SALE....can't compete with Cormorants!!!

[ScottND]

I don't want to have to ever put this sign "FOR SALE....can't compete with the Cormorants!!!" on my boats and ice fishing houses but, what is going to happen?

For work this past 10 days I've put on over 2000 miles from Minneapolis to Devils Lake ND. Even on well travelled roads I've looked out and seen more flocks of cormorants then I've ever seen in my life. They are thick around Devils Lake near Minnewauken ND, the shallow areas of Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs, Hobart lake and the Cormorant lakes in MN. I've been stuck in the house or on calls because of being on call this week so I couldn't get out to fish where I'm sure I'd see more.

I'd like to hear other voices and be part of the fight to defend our sport. Why have rearing ponds if all we are going to do is feed these ugly birds?

Aren't they federally protected? I see they can kill a token few more around Leech lake but from what I have seen it is going to take thousands of these being put down all over this north country to get a handle on them.

[gunflint]

I don't imagine that they will do well in this area if they ever show up. Too many large predators around here.

[Valv]

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I don't imagine that they will do well in this area if they ever show up. Too many large predators around here.

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I was up there once and I've seen them too, they have funny looking black round hollow sticks extending from their shoulders, and make a crisp loud noise....

[The_Duckslayer]

Concur that they are some ugly birds! Sky Carp! Not good for much that I can see except harming the supply of game fish that they gobble up. Last year the DNR did thin them out a bit on Leech lake I think it was. Hopefully they will continue to do that on all lakes where their population has exploded. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[riverrat56]

Why can't the DNR just open up a season on them, I see them all the time while duck hunting around Lake Hanska in Souther MN. I would have had plenty of chances to bang a few of them in the last few years.

[JP Z]

the problem with opening the season is guys would blast'm then leave the carcasse out on the water....as many have mentioned they are worthless. I think the DNR whacked about 3000 maybe on Leech or less.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

There are getting to be quite a few of those CROW DUCKS on Vermilion too! If you get down wind of their nesting areas you can smell them for 1/2 mile

Cliff

[ScottND]

Here's what the lake vulture's, but worse than vulture's cuz they eat live/fresh meat, look like:

[ScottND]

Last year a buddy of mine caught one on a salmon lure behind a downrigger at 60' in Lake Sakakawea. He said that was one PO'd bird when he pulled it up and he was one surprised fisherman!

[ScottND]

Went up to Fertile Mn. today and saw at least 40 more of these flying over Hwy 32 near Hitterdal.

That's another 40lbs. per day they will consume. Let's see...as of today, just from them, that means there will be 600 lbs. less fish for us to catch on opener.

[poutpro]

Around Fergus Falls they are everywhere. I think this is going to be something that needs to be taken care of in the near future.

[danfall]

If you think about it, man isn't the only species on earth. In fact, cormorants are a prehistoric creature.

Most all our wildlife go in cycles in this state. Even fish have better and worse year classes that make it. Look at grouse, their predators move between them and the southern Ontario snowshoe hare, thus the 7 year cycling pattern. We don't go and kill the hawks to enhance our fun. Predators have their place, get beyond the fisherman and love all wildlife. Hopefully, you can appreciate the balance and it is important to let the agencies know your concerns if large flocks of cormorants grow where you haven't seen them before.

And note, cormorants have certain requirements that make their overabundance unlikely in most of our lakes.

[ScottND]

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If you think about it, man isn't the only species on earth. In fact, cormorants are a prehistoric creature.

Most all our wildlife go in cycles in this state. Even fish have better and worse year classes that make it. Look at grouse,

I'm not sure, does the DNR stock Gouse?

their predators move between them and the southern Ontario snowshoe hare, thus the 7 year cycling pattern. We don't go and kill the hawks

I haven't seen a hawk dive to 120 ft or being used to catch fish like they do with cormorants in Asian countries

to enhance our fun.

I believe our fun is enhanced tremendously through our taxes and license fees and the DNR. Should we get rid of them all and let predators rule?

Predators have their place,

get beyond the fisherman and love all wildlife.

Hmmm...am I in the right

HSOforum

here? Is this not FishingMinnesota.com?

Not sure what Hopefully, you can appreciate the balance and it is important to let the agencies know your concerns if large flocks of cormorants grow where you haven't seen them before.

And note, cormorants have certain requirements that make their overabundance unlikely in most of our lakes.

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