On a hike with the wife last Sunday to the backside of the property to reposition the trail cam, we came across the attached. Good day for the Fisher, not so good for the Porcupine. I was ok with it. Pretty interesting.
Fisher are the only predators of porcupines (sometimes very desperate coyotes). Makes you wonder what their trick is. Off to YouTube
Similar to (what I've heard) that certain owls go after skunks, being the only viable predators that will kill such a stink bag...
I never heard of a fisher, I had to look it up. According to wikipedia, we might have some nearby, if I am viewing the map right. I have found a killed porky but assumed coyotes did it. I have never seen fisher tracks in the the snow. Hmm...
I found a small area of snow packed down by the woodstacks, where it looked like something had laid down for a few minutes, and right in the middle of it was the wing of a Bluejay, with a few small feathers scattered around. Still trying to figure out what got it.......no tracks anywhere. I'm thinking an owl or hawk, but none of those tracks either and it doesn't explain the size of the packed snow area. Whatever got that skunk obviously didn't want the quills.
maybe your confused... they are for their size! Mom and dad were seeing a fisher pretty often on their property crossing the back yard. It was there for a few years. I guess its good they're making a comeback.
Usually don't see them but HEAR them. They've been around.... Dogs tree them once in a while. Was at a party (city boys turned surburbanites) they heard a Fischer call and freaked out!
They flip them on their backs and eat them from the belly out. One time I was in our bathroom looking out the window and I could see a "wake" coming towards me fast through the hay which was about 24" tall at the time. A rabbit popped out on the lawn and right on his heels was a Fisher. He came to a complete stop and looked me right in the eye before making a quick U-turn and heading back into the hay. I have no idea how he saw me through the window...
OK you all seem to have different experiences than I do.. first will they eat porcupine yes.. but them viscous little ahemms.. eat house cats and small dogs and rabbits also. think about it what would you mess with first a porcupine or little fluffy... they are hard to find in woods but easy next to your house... 30 rabbits in broad daylight come running right at you.. 30 feet behind is a fisher.. you got about a minute to make a choice..
Back in the 2000's I actually hit one with the car I was driving! Man, it was like driving over a log!
Never had that many rabbits storming right at me... Would that be a herd? gaggle? flock? Yes, they could be a nuisance also. Along with many other animals. Like hawks, eagles, owls, fox, coyote, snakes, ground hogs, racoons, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and deer... Like everything else, God put them here and we are to manage them wisely.