Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Loki_762 on March 26, 2012, 09:31:38 AM

Title: Nutria?
Post by: Loki_762 on March 26, 2012, 09:31:38 AM: I have read a lot about how Nutria are destructive pests that are becoming more prevalent in Washington. I am a pretty avid duck hunter, and the idea of them tearing up waterfowl habitat makes me want to shoot some. Does anyone know where there is a problem with these giant rats that need to be shot?
Thanks,
Chris
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: demontang on March 26, 2012, 11:41:26 AM: Cetralia has them along with up north cant remember the town. Not sure about the regs on shooting them and etc, I do know they are hard on stuff.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: MADMAX on March 26, 2012, 11:45:00 AM: SSS
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 26, 2012, 11:49:19 AM: My buddy used to trap them in Oregon. They are a pain in the rear.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Kain on March 26, 2012, 12:29:29 PM: Fire at will.

Quote
Legal Status

The nutria is classified as a Prohibited Aquatic Animal Species (WAC 220-12-090). Due to this classification, all live-trapped nutria should be euthanized and not returned to the wild. (See Trapping Wildlife for information, including euthanization.)

No special trapping permit is necessary for the use of live traps. However, a special trapping permit is required for the use of all traps other than live traps (RCW 77.15.192, 77.15.194; WAC 232-12-142). There are no exceptions for emergencies and no provisions for verbal approval. All special trapping permit applications must be in writing on a form available from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

It is unlawful to transport nutria, and all other wildlife, anywhere within the state without a permit to do so (RCW 77.15.250; WAC 232-12-271).

Quote
Trapping and Lethal Control

Nutria are easily captured in single door three or four foot long live traps (Fig. 10). Bait live traps with sweet potatoes or carrots and place them along active trails or wherever nutria or their sign are seen. A small amount of bait leading to the entrance of the live trap will increase capture success.

Due to its classification as a Prohibited Aquatic Animal Species (see “Legal Status”), all live-trapped nutria should be euthanized and not returned to the wild.

When cornered or captured, nutria are aggressive and can inflict serious injury to pets and humans. Extreme care should be taken when handling captured nutria.

Trapping may not be legal in some urban areas; check with local authorities. See Trapping Wildlife for additional information, including euthanization.

Since nutria are usually found in waterways, there is often an unlimited supply of replacement animals upstream and downstream from where the damage is occurring. Rapid immigration coupled with a high reproductive rate makes ongoing lethal control a “high-effort” method of damage control that is often ineffective. (Lethal control can be effective in areas where the local population of nutria is still small.) The methods described and referenced in “Preventing Conflicts” are the best long-term solution.

Shooting has been an effective in eliminating small isolated groups of nutria. For safety considerations, shooting is generally limited to rural situations and is considered too hazardous in more populated areas, even if legal. No fumigants are currently registered for nutria control.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnaturemappingfoundation.org%2Fnatmap%2Fmaps%2Fwa%2Fmammals%2FWA_nutria_nm.jpg&hash=a0e70f5301bb99f51bdb4068b7d633d03a576363)
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Kain on March 26, 2012, 12:36:38 PM: MMmm tasty.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Loki_762 on March 26, 2012, 02:45:06 PM: Quote from: Kain on March 26, 2012, 12:36:38 PM
MMmm tasty.

I think I'll skip that part! But I will gladly shoot them for anyone looking to make them part of their diets! Thanks for the info guys!
Chris
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: washelkhunter on March 26, 2012, 03:31:27 PM: I understand that they are quite tasty barbequed. Fat little water pigs sorta like a beaver.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: MadHatter on March 27, 2012, 01:32:38 AM: I would be interested in doing my part to shoot some of them off some property. I might need to do some looking around for some land owners with a problem with them and then turn them into dog food. I have some family down in Pacific county where they appear to have a pretty decent range.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: rasbo on March 27, 2012, 05:56:03 AM: Ive eaten rock chuck jerky and it was not bad,nutria eats well and should taste good,its the hairless tails on critters that make them seem so bad...
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: whtelk on March 27, 2012, 06:24:45 AM: I shot 138 nutria in a month and a half without even trying hard last spring off of one mans property. I went there Saturday and there looks to be more this year than last. I shot 14 in under 1 hour! all shot with a .22Lr in the head.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Bofire on March 27, 2012, 12:12:48 PM: Cathlemet along the Columbia and sloughs.
Carl
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Snopczynski on March 29, 2012, 07:40:20 AM: Lake Tapps, Tapps Island.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: wrongway on March 29, 2012, 07:49:25 AM: The Longview area has loads of them :tup:
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Russ McDonald on March 29, 2012, 08:06:06 AM: The had Larry the Cable Guy hunting them down in Florida on his show Only in America. Ugly sob's and dustrive as hell too.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Jeremy S on April 03, 2012, 08:07:41 AM: I saw one last August on the south shore of Lake Washington. They're around. :bash:
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Sidewinder on April 24, 2012, 11:10:23 AM: I just got back from Louisiana and there is a $5 bounty for their tails. They were everywhere in the swamps.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: WSU on April 24, 2012, 11:30:32 AM: Capital Lake here in Oly has them. There were a ton in Eugene. I used to shoot a few while duck hunting, and my dogs got a few. 2 dogs and a nutria make one hell of a racket while battling it out the bushes!
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: BullMagnet76 on April 24, 2012, 11:50:27 AM: Quote from: wrongway on March 29, 2012, 07:49:25 AM
The Longview area has loads of them :tup:

:yeah:
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: seth30 on April 24, 2012, 11:53:20 AM: Quote from: WSU on April 24, 2012, 11:30:32 AM
Capital Lake here in Oly has them. There were a ton in Eugene. I used to shoot a few while duck hunting, and my dogs got a few. 2 dogs and a nutria make one hell of a racket while battling it out the bushes!
Will they mess up a dog?
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: WSU on April 24, 2012, 12:02:25 PM: They didn't, but I didn't let them fight if possible. Dogs will mess up a nutria though.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: seth30 on April 24, 2012, 04:37:57 PM: Will they try to drown your dog like coons do?
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: whtelk on April 24, 2012, 06:28:15 PM: They won't try to drown a dog but in the water they are more than a match for any breed. They will flat tear up a dog or human if cornered....contrary to belief, they are vegetarian.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: seth30 on April 24, 2012, 07:13:49 PM: Thanks for the info, its good to know these things if you one runs into them with a dog :tup:
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 24, 2012, 07:37:29 PM: I always get plenty of opportunity to get a few during duck season. Just make sure you can learn to identify them, so you don't shoot a beaver instead.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: boneaddict on April 24, 2012, 07:44:29 PM: All up and down the Yakima River, closer to yakima/terrace heights the more of them you will find
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Jason on April 24, 2012, 07:50:59 PM: Watched a new cooking show on Sportsmans channel Sunday after Meat Eater, it's called "Dead Meat" and they were grilling up some Nutria :puke:
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: rb2506 on April 24, 2012, 08:01:12 PM: Got one in Elma, on the overpass, doing sixty C:-) first one that I've see around here

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Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: KFhunter on April 25, 2012, 12:09:43 AM: I'd try it - I think

can't say for sure but if it didn't stink too bad while cleaning it, that's what would get me.

but hell, if they were tasty off the grill....free meat baby!
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: Loki_762 on April 27, 2012, 11:43:51 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on April 24, 2012, 07:44:29 PM
All up and down the Yakima River, closer to yakima/terrace heights the more of them you will find
I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in Ellensburg. Are they on the main river, or in side ponds near the river? Seems like the river would run a little fast. Think I could just walk the train tracks and jump shoot 'em?
Thanks,
Chris
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: whtelk on April 29, 2012, 09:09:34 AM: I hate to admit it but, when I was in high school about 40 years ago...LOL...my friend and I actually cooked some on an open fire....was a lot better than you would think. Maybe it was because we had stole a bottle of home made blackberry wine from his Dad....LOL
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: xd2005 on April 29, 2012, 09:35:14 AM: I've seen them plenty of times at Ridgefield NWR. None of us had the guts to ask if we could shoot them while duck hunting (assumed a resounding no...but could be wrong lol). It does look like other NWRs have eradicated them, so who knows.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: bolsen on April 29, 2012, 10:34:27 AM: good day of nutria hunting down here. its best during the winter when the grass is down.
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: bolsen on April 29, 2012, 10:37:02 AM: http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonoutdoors/2007/09/netting_nuisance_nutria.html

the oregonian did an artice on me a few years ago down here
Title: Re: Nutria?
Post by: markmc on April 29, 2012, 10:51:46 AM: WE saw a lot on Puget Island across from Cathlamet while jumping ducks from the canals in the farmers fields...