THE TIMES ; Turtle eggs easy mark for predators

THE TIMES (Monroe, Wisconsin) 08 September 05 Turtle eggs easy mark for predators (Lee Fahrney)

Monticello: The number of snapping turtles residing in and around the Sugar River appears to be on the decline as the populations of such predators as raccoons and opossums continues to expand. Area residents walking along the Sugar River Trail have noticed the occurrence of scattered egg shells, all empty, has become more frequent.
Gary Kuebli of Monticello has been walking the trail for more than five years with his black lab, Burt, and keeps a watchful eye on the number of nests that appear each summer. He reports there were 26 nests invaded in 2004, while this year there were only 10 or 12 nests constructed. "And that was just between County Hwy. EE and Silver road."
Raccoons are especially troublesome, according to Kuebli. "And, they're hard on other kinds of wildlife -- the songbirds and pheasants," he said. He tells the story of seeing his backyard bluebird house virtually destroyed by raccoons.
Many local residents have taken matters into their own hands by collecting the eggs before the predators can get to them. "They put them in there gardens with a fence around them and wait for them to hatch. Then, they take them back to the water," Kuebli said.
While molesting a nest is illegal, no one expects to be arrested soon. "People just don't want to see the turtles harmed," he said.
Two veteran area trappers expect to see less trapping of raccoons, despite their increasing numbers. Brian Day and John Dunlavy, both of Argyle, cite the decline in prices for raccoon furs as the reason. "The supply has exceeded demand in recent years," Day said.
He has been trapping since the age of 12, but expects to curtail his efforts this year due to declining prices and the high cost of gas. In the last five years, Day estimates he's trapped approximately 2,600 raccoons.
Like others, Dunlavy has had great success trapping raccoons over the past few years. He shares the concern over the excess inventories of the furs, which he anticipates will drive prices down. Last year, pelts brought less than $20 each.
Kuebli believes the answer to the problem lies with more liberal access for hunting and trapping. He encourages landowners to open their land to hunters and trappers as a way to manage the raccoon population. Kuebli acknowledges that many people don't like hunting and trapping on their land, but believes there are few alternatives.
Poisoning the predators appears to be out of the question due to the potential danger to other farm animals and pets. A recent Green County case involved the poisoning of two dogs that consumed a soft drink concoction laced with Maldrin intended to kill raccoons.
Public access has suffered in recent years due to the increased effectiveness of animal rights groups opposed to the killing of any animals. Trapping in particular has been the target of anti-hunting groups across the country. Efforts to prohibit trapping completely have been successful in some areas.
In the late 1980s in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, the national "model" developed by animal rights groups was applied to the beaver population. In 1996, these same organizations spent $1.2 million in a statewide ballot referendum to prohibit the practice.
The law passed in Massachusetts dramatically changed the way trapping activities could be carried out there. The effect has been a significant increase in property damage and health and safety issues, according to a report from the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife. Promises from the groups to sterilize the beaver failed to materialize.
Trapping techniques and equipment have changed over the years, however, due in large part to the efforts of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
In 1996, the organization began a research project aimed at evaluating animal welfare, identifying efficient tools and techniques, and developing recommendations for state fish and wildlife agencies to consider as a part of their wildlife management programs.
The Best Management Practices thus derived have been presented to more than 30 state fish and wildlife agencies to date. The association has evaluated more than 50 trapping systems nationwide and collected field performance and animal welfare data relating to 15 species of wildlife.
Meanwhile, snapping turtles along the Sugar River Trail are offering an abundance of "comfort food" to predators lurking nearby. "They see them lay their eggs and just wait to move in," Kuebli said.
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