Is it legal? We have an irrigation pond on our farm that my grandfather stocks with catfish, while hunting last week I saw 8 of them leaving our pond and heading back to the creek. Three of them had large catfish in their mouths! I was tempted to shoot one but held my trigger. I haven't seen them again so maybe they've moved on but I think the lure of an easy meal might keep them hanging around. What do you think?

I would delete this post and practice SSS.

If they found food, they ain't moved on.

Sounds like muskrats.

X2, had MR's taking a PILE of fish out at work.

8 otters will clear out a pond in no time. They will catch all the fish and leave when its empty.

This is a fact!! I know from experience what just one of them can do. Get them gone and make it quick!

I'd kill em all and let god sort them out. Kinda off topic anyone remember the rapala commercial where the guy was fishing with a river otter?

You certainly need to get them out of that pond. Trap them and have the pelts finished at a tannery, or do it yourself if you have the time. Otter pelts are nice.

I hadnt until now, thanks. I LOL'd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxA06fLCB8w


"hey gimme that fish"!

ROFL

Depending on where you are in north Bama I know a good trapper. PM me if you want more info.

I've never even heard of an otter in these parts.

Alabama has otters:

http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/what/Mammals/Carnivores/ro.cfm


Might want to double-check before shooting what you think is an otter - DCNR @ 334-242-3465

I've seen quite a few in Alabama as well. Quite the graceful yet destructful animal.

Get setup on the pond with your 22 and pick them off one at a time.

Appreciate it fellas and judging by the link Clem posted it was definitely otters. Fixin to make a call to the local GW and hopefully have a nice start on a fur jacket for my wife this weekend!

Its legal to trap them; why would it be illegal to shoot one with a .22 during the trapping season?

They will indeed clean out a pond in a short time if your water gets low in the fall of the year. My dad used to keep conibear traps out all the time around his catfish pond for beavers. If an otter happened into one, he would release him immediately if it wasn't trapping season. You can trap beaver any time. Of course, the conibears were not good for the otter's health, but he still released them.