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Lurking in the Shadows
Feb 21, 2021 23:51:41   #
Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS
 
I have been told that a number of families in my neighborhood have pet cats that they let outside during the day and feed them at night. I suspect there are a number of wild cats that live solely outdoors and frequently raid backyards trying to find something to eat. I have no way of knowing which ones are pets and which ones are wild. Its common to see cats in my back yard near my bird feeders, trying to catch and kill wild birds that I am attempting to photograph.
In the past, I closed openings around the bottom of the six foot fence surrounding my back yard. I watched as the cats changed to coming under the gate or over the top of the fence. This morning while fixing my coffee and watching the birds and sunlight starting to arrive, I spotted this "Sneaky Pete" hiding in the shadows under the wood pile platform, close to the bird feeder. I want to get rid of all of the cats so that the birds feel free to come and feed, but I don't want to start shooting or poisoning cats. (I don't own and can't take care of a dog.) Does anyone have suggestions how I might be able to keep he cats away from my backyard so I can enjoy photographing the birds?


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Feb 21, 2021 23:57:50   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
The only thing I found (I had a cat/bird issue) is that I shot near their tail (BB gun) every time I saw one. It took a couple of weeks. Now I have no cats, and they are still all alive and well... As to the birds they are going nuts.

I also had to shoot squirrels as these eat the eggs. Not missing any here, a few are buried in my yard.

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Feb 22, 2021 07:21:44   #
Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida
 
I had a neighbor feeding feral cats. I bought a trap, caught them all and turned them over to animal control. The laws of cats is the same for dog. Outside they need to contain in your yard at in a leash. I hate coming out in the morning and find either them or there paw prints all over my car.

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Feb 22, 2021 07:50:18   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
I try to spray them with a hose, trains squirrels, cats not so much but it does help, I have a neighbor that feed them too.

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Feb 22, 2021 11:34:28   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
I have feral cats on my property. I never feed them. The birds keep a sharp eye out for them.

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Feb 22, 2021 12:29:31   #
Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS
 
kpmac wrote:
I have feral cats on my property. I never feed them. The birds keep a sharp eye out for them.


Dear kpmac...Good to know that the birds keep a sharp eye out for killer cats. The last cat was particularly sneaky in that he hid under a firewood platform out of sight and had a direct path to the birdfeeder that kept him hidden until the last moment when he arrived at the bird feeder.

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