Shootin Turtles?

[03Lightningrocks]

The reduction in frog populations has NOTHING to do with turtles. Frog population reduction is due to man polluting the environment with pesticides and fertilizers.

As a kid I lived in Pasadena Texas. There were toad frogs all over the place. Not now. Again... Not predation... POLLUTION.

Don't try to justify ridiculous behavior by acting as if you are helping Mother Nature control predation. Lets just go ahead and admit what it is. Killing for the pleasure of it. Very similar to pulling the wings off flies for fun.

You might want to check your facts about snapping turtles.

HideEcology and life history

Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common snapping turtles sometimes bask—though rarely observed—by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_s ... #section_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case you don't like WIKI

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/nature/media/Turtles.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may want to check your own facts. That does not say turtles are the cause for frig population reductions.

[TxRVer]

If you want to hear frogs, you can come out to my house. Every Spring, the sound is deafening.

[03Lightningrocks]

If you want to hear frogs, you can come out to my house. Every Spring, the sound is deafening.

You probably don't have turtles wiping them all out. Lol

[Ericstac]

We have millions of frogs around here.. Not too many turtles.. After a good rain you will murder at least a hundred frogs on the drive out to the main road, is this considered hit and run? :)


We used to shoot turtles that were in the pond a long time ago, because they would eat our stocked fish and them fish are not cheap. The ones that my grandpa felt were not danger img his fish wouldn't be harmed, like ones in ditches down the road or crossing streets or fields..

Like someone else said its the circle of life, turtles get shot.

[03Lightningrocks]

The reduction in frog populations has NOTHING to do with turtles. Frog population reduction is due to man polluting the environment with pesticides and fertilizers.

As a kid I lived in Pasadena Texas. There were toad frogs all over the place. Not now. Again... Not predation... POLLUTION.

Don't try to justify ridiculous behavior by acting as if you are helping Mother Nature control predation. Lets just go ahead and admit what it is. Killing for the pleasure of it. Very similar to pulling the wings off flies for fun.

You might want to check your facts about snapping turtles.

HideEcology and life history

Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common snapping turtles sometimes bask—though rarely observed—by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_s ... #section_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case you don't like WIKI

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/nature/media/Turtles.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may want to check your own facts. That does not say turtles are the cause for frig population reductions.

Since we are going to use wiki, here ya go. The real reason for the decline in frog populations. I did like you, only my search was done to find out the reason for amphibian reductions rather than to justify killing wildlife for fun and entertainment.
if snapping turtle control is a desire, not to worry. It won't be long until all of their natural food sources are reduced to the point that the turtle populations will decline as well. Problem solved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in ... opulations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Declines in amphibian populations, including population crashes and mass localized extinctions, have been noted since the 1980s from locations all over the world. These declines are perceived as one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity, and several causes are believed to be involved, including disease, habitat destruction and modification, exploitation, pollution, pesticide use, introduced species, and increased ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B).

[TxRVer]

If you want to hear frogs, you can come out to my house. Every Spring, the sound is deafening.

You probably don't have turtles wiping them all out. Lol

We see an occasional turtle, normally alone or a pair. No groups of turtles.

[Right2Carry]

The reduction in frog populations has NOTHING to do with turtles. Frog population reduction is due to man polluting the environment with pesticides and fertilizers.

As a kid I lived in Pasadena Texas. There were toad frogs all over the place. Not now. Again... Not predation... POLLUTION.

Don't try to justify ridiculous behavior by acting as if you are helping Mother Nature control predation. Lets just go ahead and admit what it is. Killing for the pleasure of it. Very similar to pulling the wings off flies for fun.

You might want to check your facts about snapping turtles.

HideEcology and life history

Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common snapping turtles sometimes bask—though rarely observed—by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_s ... #section_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case you don't like WIKI

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/nature/media/Turtles.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may want to check your own facts. That does not say turtles are the cause for frig population reductions.

But it does state that turtles eat frogs, fish, ducklings among other things. Those of us who have had stock ponds know the problems that turtles cause. Your opinion as posted didn't have any facts to back up your thoughts.

We do know that turtles do eat frogs and tadpoles based on facts.

[nyj]

That's called the circle of life. Sorry if it inconveniences you.

Killing something just for the heck of it has nothing to do with the circle of life.

I don't think I said anything along those lines.

[03Lightningrocks]

one thing is clear. Shooting at a target in, on, or near water adds a new level of complexity to knowing where your round will potentially travel. You will have ricochet trajectory to consider now.

Moral judgements about moral judgements aside.... The above deserved to be reposted as it is definitely a major concern. No matter what one is hunting, we always need to be very sure of what is beyond our target. I would hate for one of my stray rounds to end up in a kid walking with his grandpa, just over the ridge, where I can't see them. Bullets can and do travel for miles.

[RoyGBiv]

If anyone is making turtle soup/stew, please let me know when/where to show up. YUM.

[03Lightningrocks]

The reduction in frog populations has NOTHING to do with turtles. Frog population reduction is due to man polluting the environment with pesticides and fertilizers.

As a kid I lived in Pasadena Texas. There were toad frogs all over the place. Not now. Again... Not predation... POLLUTION.

Don't try to justify ridiculous behavior by acting as if you are helping Mother Nature control predation. Lets just go ahead and admit what it is. Killing for the pleasure of it. Very similar to pulling the wings off flies for fun.

You might want to check your facts about snapping turtles.

HideEcology and life history

Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common snapping turtles sometimes bask—though rarely observed—by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_s ... #section_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case you don't like WIKI

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/nature/media/Turtles.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may want to check your own facts. That does not say turtles are the cause for frig population reductions.

But it does state that turtles eat frogs, fish, ducklings among other things. Those of us who have had stock ponds know the problems that turtles cause. Your opinion as posted didn't have any facts to back up your thoughts.

We do know that turtles do eat frogs and tadpoles based on facts.

You probably missed this post which proves you are wrong as wrong can be as far as blaming turtles for the reduction in frog populations. What you are talking about with the stock pond reference is like telling me that how I control what resides in my aquarium can be used as a model for how to control what resides in the ocean.

Since we are going to use wiki, here ya go. The real reason for the decline in frog populations. I did like you, only my search was done to find out the reason for amphibian reductions rather than to justify killing wildlife for fun and entertainment.
if snapping turtle control is a desire, not to worry. It won't be long until all of their natural food sources are reduced to the point that the turtle populations will decline as well. Problem solved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in ... opulations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Declines in amphibian populations, including population crashes and mass localized extinctions, have been noted since the 1980s from locations all over the world. These declines are perceived as one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity, and several causes are believed to be involved, including disease, habitat destruction and modification, exploitation, pollution, pesticide use, introduced species, and increased ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B).

[tomtexan]

We have tree frogs around here, and nope, no turtles in the trees.

[Right2Carry]

The reduction in frog populations has NOTHING to do with turtles. Frog population reduction is due to man polluting the environment with pesticides and fertilizers.

As a kid I lived in Pasadena Texas. There were toad frogs all over the place. Not now. Again... Not predation... POLLUTION.

Don't try to justify ridiculous behavior by acting as if you are helping Mother Nature control predation. Lets just go ahead and admit what it is. Killing for the pleasure of it. Very similar to pulling the wings off flies for fun.

You might want to check your facts about snapping turtles.

HideEcology and life history

Common habitats are shallow ponds, shallow lakes, or streams. Some may inhabit brackish environments, such as estuaries. Common snapping turtles sometimes bask—though rarely observed—by floating on the surface with only their carapace exposed, though in the northern parts of their range they will also readily bask on fallen logs in early spring. In shallow waters, common snappers may lie beneath a muddy bottom with only the head exposed, stretching their long necks to the surface for an occasional breath (note that their nostrils are positioned on the very tip of the snout, effectively functioning as snorkels). Snapping turtles are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter, and are important aquatic scavengers; but they are also active hunters that prey on anything they can swallow, including many invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles (including snakes and smaller turtles), unwary birds, and small mammals.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_s ... #section_2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just in case you don't like WIKI

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/nature/media/Turtles.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You may want to check your own facts. That does not say turtles are the cause for frig population reductions.

But it does state that turtles eat frogs, fish, ducklings among other things. Those of us who have had stock ponds know the problems that turtles cause. Your opinion as posted didn't have any facts to back up your thoughts.

We do know that turtles do eat frogs and tadpoles based on facts.

You probably missed this post which proves you are wrong as wrong can be as far as blaming turtles for the reduction in frog populations. What you are talking about with the stock pond reference is like telling me that how I control what resides in my aquarium can be used as a model for how to control what resides in the ocean.

Since we are going to use wiki, here ya go. The real reason for the decline in frog populations. I did like you, only my search was done to find out the reason for amphibian reductions rather than to justify killing wildlife for fun and entertainment.
if snapping turtle control is a desire, not to worry. It won't be long until all of their natural food sources are reduced to the point that the turtle populations will decline as well. Problem solved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in ... opulations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Declines in amphibian populations, including population crashes and mass localized extinctions, have been noted since the 1980s from locations all over the world. These declines are perceived as one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity, and several causes are believed to be involved, including disease, habitat destruction and modification, exploitation, pollution, pesticide use, introduced species, and increased ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B).

Do I really need to explain what "believed to be" means? Seems to be more opinions without facts.

I also provided a link to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine just in case you didn't like WIKI.

[couzin]

I want to go plunking for turtles along the creek and river beds in Denton County. Does anyone know the laws concerning this or where I find them?

Beyond the just wanton killin' of critters - you have to have a valid hunting license to kill turtles in Texas. As far as plinking in the criks - if you are discharging a firearm in incorporated areas or near homes - you may be distracted for a while by the Denton County Sheriff office. Also remember that if you are on US Army Corps of Engineers fee-owned land - you risk a citation or worse there as well. Sorry to be such a buzz killer - you asked!

[2farnorth]

What did the snail riding on the turtle's back say? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Darn... Now every time I see a turtle crossing a road I'm going to be looking that snail..