Fisher influence on Bobcats

[Alabama Cathunter]

Thanks for the picture. Hope we dont get those things down here. Where did these things originate from? and how far south do these things travel?

[Dan McDonough]

They've been here longer than people as far as I know. I sure wouldn't want one of them on the inside of my truck. David...That Was Funny! I think when God made those things one of the angels (that eventually went to hell) slipped something into the pot. That whole family of critters is tough and extra mean.

[Budd Denny]

David, you think a medium sized black terrier around 16lb's could take on one of theise little devils and kill it ?

[shawn cole]

if he does i want to breed my jrt bitch to him they are one bad critter

[david]

From Budd Denny:"David, you think a medium sized black terrier around 16lb's could take on one of theise little devils and kill it?"

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Budd, Whatever you do, dont stare into those eyes. They are saying "see what I did to this tree? You and your 16 lb black terrier are next." Then you look at your terrier and you see two lazer sight points on his chest. They happen to be the same distance apart as those lazer eyes on that devil fisher. Then, you look at your own chest, and see those lazer sight points on your own chest. Then the points of light move slowly up your chest toward your neck. Then, you hear the sound of a freight train, and it is the last thing you hear when everything goes black.

[Emily]

Interesting theory on the fishers influencing the treeing tendency of bobcats.

In my experience, both bobcats and fishers jump tree to tree, but bobcats are less agile about it and won't take the jumping risks fishers do. My dogs bark treed while moving under a fisher. They don't do that with bobcats.
Another thing I've noticed: since the fishers became more common around here, the bobcats are taking on full size turkeys more frequently. I suspect thats because the fishers eat some things that the bobcats would normally dine on, as well as the porkies and domestic chickens they have a reputation for. It may just be coincidence--there's a lot more turkeys around than there were before the fishers arrived, so there is more opportunity for bobbers to catch them. These days. I find some serious battle scenes in the woods where a bobcat took awhile to subdue a big turkey. Didn't used to see that--it used to be coyotes eating the turkeys.

[david]

David, you think a medium sized black terrier around 16lb's could take on one of theise little devils and kill it ?

Dangit Budd, why are folks asking me questions they should be asking you? I got a feeling you know perfectly well the answer to your question.

But here goes with another lame theory of mine:

In nature, the predators that breed are the ones that survive. Predators that survive are the ones that dont get killed by whatever it is they are trying to eat, or whatever it is they have chosen to do battle with. The ones that breed are the ones that will not fight to the death, and will size up prey situations and choose the prey that will not threaten their very lives.

In terrier breeding, by some, the terriers that get bred are the ones that will fight to the death and happen to be the winner all the time.

It is a different agenda completely.

I have never seen another animal, domestic or wild, with as much heart and desire as a good terrier has.

That is why I think the terrier would win pound for pound. Also, I think the opportunity to find out would be rare, as the fisher can and will get himself away from a terrier. Fishers may be tough, but they are not suicidal.

[NorWester]

Fishers eating bobcats, fishers eating bear cubs, fishers that are 15 lbs, next they'll be taking us....lolol

So if a fisher can do all that, but a terrier can whip the fisher.... then a terrier must be able to whip bears, bobcats.... maybe wolves and moose too?

[laneysplott]

There have been all kinds of different theories around in Maine why cats don't tree. I think a lot of it is the caliber of dog chasing the cat. I seen to tree about a third and bay the rest with very few being shot on the run. Of all the theories around the best explanation I have is that in Maine from the 50s to late 70s there was a bounty on bobcats. Every cat that climbed a tree died. None where let go like sometimes happens today. In the early 80s cat numbers where very low so the cats that where left where the ones who stayed on the ground and out ran the dogs. So basically the treeing instinct could have been bred out off our bobcats. It's just a theory but it does make sense to some.

[Nolte]

Fishers eating bobcats, fishers eating bear cubs, fishers that are 15 lbs, next they'll be taking us....lolol

I don't think I've ever weighed a fisher, but I'd bet most big males weight 10 - 12 lbs. They look bigger than they weigh because of that big tail. I have no doubt a fisher would raid a bobcat den and eat the the kittens. I also think they could make short work of a small immature bobcat. What they lack in brains they make up for in feistyness. In the right situation I bet they would slide in a bear den and eat a cub.

I don't think they are real tough, but that is just my opinion. I've seen those little dogs work over a coon to the finish, so I would imagine they would do the same to a fisher. Those little dogs are just wired different. They don't have reverse and the chips are all in from the get go. That's a big advantage to a critter that would just rather get away.

[NorWester]

The ones I've seen weren't 10 to 12 lbs I don't think, but like you I never weighed them, and they didn't want to have anything to do with a terrier. And why would they? They are no doubt a pretty nasty little predator and an opportunist by nature. Incidently I don't think the vast majority of terriers are all their fanciers make them out to be. Perhaps, however, from where I sit my perspective is off the mark somewhat.

[Ker_man]

Interesting thought Mr Laney, would still mean that the cats had evolved through selection by survival. We would have to see if the same pressure was applied to the cats all over (where hard to tree) at that time.

Norwester, i'm sure that terriers have on occasion treed all sorts of game.

You have seen fishers? there are also mink and martins

[Ker_man]

I went onto a NTA site and there it said male fishers 10-12 lbs and rarely over 14 lbs. Females 1/3 of their weight.

The 17 lb one I referred to earlier was one my father caught in the 70s were the scales good? of my mistake? or it might have weighed that. I never weighed one either.

[NorWester]

Interesting thought Mr Laney, would still mean that the cats had evolved through selection by survival. We would have to see if the same pressure was applied to the cats all over (where hard to tree) at that time.

Norwester, i'm sure that terriers have on occasion treed all sorts of game.

You have seen fishers? there are also mink and martins

I'm sure terriers have treed all sorts of game, but that isnt what I was referring to. Seen Fishers and plenty of martins.

I can't imagine a fisher taking bear cubs, but anything is possible I suppose no matter how unlikely.

[laneysplott]

A fisher is the only predator that the black bear has, When a sow is denned up with a couple cubs it is very easy for a fisher to snatch one in the right situation, most bear cubs are only 4-6 pounds, easy game for a 10-15 pound fisher