Fishercats
 

Hey Y'all,

I'm new, and moving up the 1st of December. I'm bringing my two dogs and my tail-less cat with me. She has for the most part been an outside cat all of her life, but my fiance' told me she'll have to stay in, cuz the fisher cats will get her.....and EAT her :eek:

Is it OK for her to go out during the day ? or is that to big of a chance ? Has anyone else had a fishercat run off with their pet ?

If I have dogs, wont that keep the fishercats away ?

Here is a recent thread:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ight=fishercat

and a link to an article about the animals:

http://www.nhfishandwildlife.com/fisher.php

Slickcraft, thank you for both of those links, very informative! She's kind of a small cat...5 pounds at most, me thinks I'll keep her in ;)

This might not be the right place to ask ( I am an animal lover ) but uhhmmm, do folks hunt fishercats ?

Welcome to NH!!
 

Fishers are hunted, although they are very elusive. I wouldn't worry about your animals regarding them as they tend to stay away from civilization.

If you're going to live in a rural area, you'll encounter black bears and coydogs long before, if ever you see a Fisher.

Fisher Visit
 

I had a Fisher walk through my yard about 10 feet from my house several times this fall. I now have less squirrels. I did have 2 neighborhood cats that visited me and how have 1. I would not discount the Fisher. I live in a wooded area near to downtown Wolfeboro.

I am a black & white cat lover.

Keep your cat in...it's not just Fishers you have to be concerned with......Coyotes, Hawks, etc... especially where your adorable kitty is only 5 pounds!

When we moved to a very rural area we decided to keep our always indoor/outdoor cats in....they adjusted just fine after awhile. And, you can cut down on the vaccinations they need once they're indoor only so it's a win-win...safe cats and less vet bills! I do not miss the sleepless nights of not being able to get one of my cats in or the trips to the Emergency Vet when one of them had an abcess after getting bitten by something (why does that ALWAYS happen when the regular vet is closed????).

:laugh:

I never even heard of fishercats until visiting New Hampshire, so ...........I don't know....... they're a mix of scary fascination for me. Especially listening to them on youtube.

Hi Soap,

Welcome to New England and the Lakes Region. You have moved to an area many on this site wish they could also move to full time, including me!
Based on "y'all" and "moving up", coming from somewhere down South?

Yesssss....I'm from West Virginia....lol.

Well first off Fishers are not afraid of anything, let alone a Dog. I had Fisher walk right past us as we sat on our deck one night. Couldn't even have cared we were there. And you will definitely know when one is around as the scream will curdle your blood. You also must remember that not every area has one around. If you have a rock wall on your property, chances are better that one might make a home in it. We have the one that lives in the wall across the street. So I can hear it every once in a while but have only seen it a few times.

Yeah...Just wait till you here it scream. You will want to move back south...:laugh:


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Good Morning Everyone :D

Lakesrider, thank you for the youtube links!

A fishercat does have such an erie sound to it ( shivers ) i tell ya true, If I were camping there.....and heard such a sound, not knowing what it was, I'd be high tailin it outta there :laugh:

OK.....curious question here, How did the Fishercat get it's name ?

OK, had a few minutes this evenin so I thought I'd research my own question ;) Pretty cool stuff !

_________________________________

Etymology -

The name implies a diet of fish yet it seldom dines on aquatic organisms. Early Dutch settlers noted its similarity to the European polecat (Mustela putorius). Fitchet is a name derived from the Dutch word visse which means 'nasty' :laugh: In the French language, the pelt of a polecat is called fiche or fichet.[8]

In some regions the fisher is known as a pekan, derived from its name in the Abenaki language. Wejack was derived from otchoek (Cree) and otochilik (Ojibwa) by fur traders. Other American Indian names for the fisher are tha cho (Chippewayan), meaning "big marten", and uskool (Wabanaki).[8]

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)

Problem is if your cat is anything like mine you'll have a hard time keeping him/her in once they have had a "taste" of outdoors. Does she come back on demand (when called?) Would probably spend time outdoors with her and have her come in when you do. As she gets more familiar with the area and starts to venture out that will be an issue. Way to many things in the area that can catch a cat.

NickNH is right...I've lost a cat to a fisher.They are nasty animals that kill for the fun of it. Even a large owl could do in your little kitty, so be careful.
The good news is, there are no dangerous animals, bugs or reptiles in NH that are a concern for humans. I know we have islands, mountains and streams named after rattlesnakes, but they don't survive in the cold.
Some would argue that black bears are dangerous but they run from people unless fed and attacks are almost unheard of.

Fishers
 

Fishers are actually not a cat, but from the weasel family.

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

Conflicts

In some areas fishers can become pests to farmers because they will get into a pen and kill large numbers of chickens. Unprovoked attacks on humans are extremely rare,[7] but they will attack if they feel threatened or cornered. There have been a few instances of fishers preying on cats and small dogs. A study done in 1979 examined the stomach contents of all fishers trapped in the state of New Hampshire; cat hairs were found in only one of over 1,000 stomachs. While there is popular belief for more frequent attacks on pets, zoologists suggest bobcats or coyotes are more likely to prey upon domestic cats and chickens.

This summer our son saw a very large on on our patio. He said is was much bigger than our dog of 17 pounds. Mac is no longer let out alone at night, pre-dusk, (That's when Ben saw our local beast.) or pre-dawn hours. I'm sure you would laugh if you saw me patrolling Mac's yard with a baseball bat! :laugh: I sure hope that we don't get to see it again.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...s_pennanti.jpg

I've been told, they employ their blood curdling scream to flush out prey.

How big do these cats get? I often hear one nearby and think I saw a kitten once.

Keep your cats inside!
 

Our cats never go out. They go onto the screened porch when we are around. In 1992 out on Moultonboro Neck, there were (I think) 35 cats that were "lost" that summer. We think the fishers got them. I read somewhere that a Fisher has more pounds per square inch "crushing" power in it's jaw than a Great White - pound for pound. You cannot hunt them, I believe they are still on the Endangered Species list in NH. Too bad, they would make great coats

Fishercats
 

From the New Hampshire Fish and Game web site...

"Contrary to popular belief, house cats are not a regular food item for fishers. Scientific studies show that fisher prefer to eat small prey species. Mouse-sized mammals make up about a third of their diets, and a smaller proportion is snowshoe hare. Most of a fisher's diet consists of mice, small birds, fruit and berries, as well as deer in the form of carrion. Cat hairs were found in only one of over 1,000 stomachs examined in 1979 and 1980."

http://www.wildnh.com/Wildlife/Wildl...ort_112003.htm

Dan

Start training
 

Start training her to be inside. It worked for me. A screened in porch is a good thing to have. Cats like the fresh air.

I think it tough to say what will happen to cats if they go outside. I feel bad making a cat stay in when we have so much land ( and zero chance of getting hit by a car) for them to roam. I have always let them go outside, but have always kept an eye on them. I would never let them out at night or when I am not at home. My last cat lived to age 21 and my current cat is age 15. When she goes outside now she just walks around from one door to the other and then back in the house. Other family members let their cats out and they have never had a problem. If you keep them in then you will know that they are totally safe. I believe many things that happen in life are merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

:laugh: ......my thoughts exactly ;)

There is a trapping season for Fishers (the month of December)... I have no idea how many sportsmen participate, though.

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunt...t_trapping.htm

No such thing as a fishercat
 

The name of the animal is a Fisher. There is no cat in the name and they are not cats. As RG pointed out they are in the weasel family.

Fishers are not cats= right
 

SIKSUR is correct- they are not cats. Don't know how they got "cat" added to their name. I had one race across the street in front of me a couple years ago on Route 109 near the intersection of Route 171 (fisher came racing out of the little cemetary on Route 109). At first I didn't know what creature it was... I didn't know that fishers were that long-this guy was probably 4 feet from head to tail-maybe more. Big tail, and fast as the wind. I didn't know there was a trapping season-I'm not a hunter, but think trapping is cruel way to go.

see one up close
 

For anyone that might be interested to see one live, and up close, and read a bit about them...there is a live display at The Squam Lakes Science Center. Possibly the only chance you may have (or want to have) too see one of these creatures from less then 2 inches away. They often lay right against the glass. One look at their claws, and you realize what they can do to any house pet.

Shoot 'em all. Little bit of glass won't protect them!:laugh:

Perhaps this is where the Fisher Cat became famous?

From their web site:

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Eastern League (AA level professional baseball) affiliate for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Fisher Cats have played their home games at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester, NH since 2005. The MerchantsAuto.com Stadium holds 7,200 Fisher Cats fans

R2B

As I write this I look right at the stadium located next door to me. I laughed when they came up with that name since there is no such thing. I will admit though that its better than the original name which was loudly denounced, the New Hampshire Primaries and the logo was an elephant and a donkey holding baseball bats. Ya, thats a good one.

Ohhhhh, now this is right up my alley! I'm a big nature/science buff ( oh yea, history too ;) ) Sounds like a really fun day trip with my stepson.

You'll LOVE the Science Center! The Mountain Lions alone are well worth the trip!!!!

Another thumbs up for the science center. That place is a must for kids. We need to teach about the wildlife in NH. If they don't learn early they won't care later.

(Well, Squirrels are another issue....;) )

great place
 

Great place...great walking trails. If you take the side trail to the top of the mountain, at the top, simply the most breath taking views of Squam Lake (s)... Big Squam, Little Squam.
Family season passes are very cheap, and you can go when ever you want...some memberships allow unlimited trips and you can bring guests. Cheap..around $100.
River Otter display is fantastic. On Friday mornings, they give them fish, frozen in a ball of ice, and the otters push it up a ramp, and let it smash to the ground, over and over and over again...until they can get at the fish. Neat to watch.
The place really is fantastic...and VERY kid/family friendly.

I Also Recommend the Science Center!!!
 

It's a great place. Haven't been in years. Every summer I try to get a nephew or niece to go with me to no avail.

Maybe next year I'll just go by myself!!

Give me a call I'll go with ya! Or vica versa. :D
Been a million times. Have the annual pass for 4 people. $60.00 last year...I always donate there as well.

Nice...Thank You!!!
 

I just may take you up on that offer!!!
:D

Great. I usually go up after they open. Around June they get in some of the abandoned young. (And it isn't to hot and buggy out..) Normally get to see the little cute ones....:D
I'll post here when my wife and I go...

Very Cool...
 

...thanks so much Lakesrider. :D