Feral cats
All over Europe there are feral cats on the trails.
I'm surprised the mice on the AT don't result in feral cats at shelters.
Are they feral, or European wild cats?
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
Feral cats
I think life at lower elevations is much easier for stray or feral cats. Plenty of rats and mice to eat in town and more shelter options.
You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet
If you're seeing them they're most likely feral, wild cat both here in the UK and over on the Continent are extremely rare and elusive.
Don't see cats on trail in the UK unless there people living nearby.
I think the problem here is that too many people want to rescue stray cats and dogs. I like the idea of having a shelter cat though.
The coyotes eat any excess cats hanging out in the woods.
Or even in your yard.Originally Posted by Sandy of PA
bobcats get them in our neighborhood.
But the winters probably explain it. In Europe people often pack in cat food to trail locations.
They dont have the coyotes or the harder winters.
Fishers, coyotes and bobcats all trim the excess population of cats in my area.
How do they determine excess? I never heard that term before.
Whenever they see a cat, they hunt it. When there aren't too many cats around, they're harder to find, so less are killed.
Exactly...
“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates
Any amount more than zero, if they can catch them.
“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates
On Maui the mongoose and feral cats are usually side by side eating the same cat food cat angels put out. The mongoose hold their ground aginst the cats even the largest ones with the cats lower in the pecking order.
Speaking of Maui, I once saw a map of the island, with the endangered and threatened sea bird nesting colonies marked. A second map layer showed known cat colonies, many of which coincided with the nesting sites. Many in the conservation side here want to see them eradicated, but the cat lovers won't let that happen. One proponent of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) became violently angry with me for even suggesting his beloved feral cats are a threat to the endangered birds.
Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt, and the forest and field in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul.--Fred Bear
www.misadventuregear.com
I almost mentioned that very issue in my earlier comment. Feral cats are HELL on local bird populations pretty much every where they exist.
“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates
Coyotes. No feral cats. Problem solved.
Feral hogs? Yep. The AT's got them...
Feral horses? Yep. The AT's got them...
A few feral hikers too.
“He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates
Feral Horses?. Never heard of them. The Mt Rogers ponys are a fenced in managed herd so they don't count. Where else are there feral horses on the AT?
My understanding is that the ponies at Mt. Rogers and Grayson Highlands were wild ponies that were captured on Asseteague Island and brought to the Highlands in 1975 and released there. That would make them wild(feral) horses, no matter where they came from. They've never been domesticated in over 400 years...
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