Did you hear the story about the house cat that shot it’s owner? Read the article here. Seems some guy in Michigan kept a loaded handgun in his house and the cat somehow knocked it off the counter causing it to discharge. Miraculously the gun discharged and wounded the gun owner, who also happens to be the cat owner.
It’s no secret I am not particularly fond of cats. Indoors cats cause my body to become highly reactive to the allergins these cats create. Thank God for the drug Claratin!!
But it is the outdoor cats that cause me the most concern as a sportsman. These little critters can be some of the most destructive predators found in our outdoors. Studies have shown that ordinary house cats can put a definite dent into our upland bird populations, such as pheasants, grouse and ordinary song birds. That innocent-looking cat is nothing but a killing machine once it leaves confines of the yard where it belongs.
I know several sportsmen who make it a practice to plink at any cat that is roaming in the wild. Truth is, a cat that is not staying home is on the prowl and likely up to no good. Have I shot at and killed stray cats? You bet! Would I have any qualms about shooting at a neighbor’s cat that is 1/2 mile or so from where it belongs…no way!
I do not view ordinary house cats–whether they have become bona fide stray or not–as part of the normal ecosystem, yet they make a big impact on the species that I enjoy to view and hunt.
I guess one of the big reasons I am not a fan of cats is because they are nothing but a nuisance, whether indoors and especially outdoors. Responsible pet ownership dictates that pets we keep should not be responsible for killing our native fauna. Pets should be trained to eat the food the owners provide, and not have some uncontrollable urge to kill.
Look at it this way…a pheasant hunter who accidentally shoots a hen when they are not allowed as part of the bag limit is scoffed at by his peers and belittled by such poor sportsmanship behavior. Not to mention that it likely is an actionable offense violating the state game laws. But if that same hunter allows his cat to roam and kill a whole brood of baby pheasants it is currently not looked at in the same light. If such laws exist to forbid such activity it is rarely if ever prosecuted.
Sportsmen, cat owners and nature lovers alike need to understand that cats can be very dangerous in many ways. And yes, some poor kitty in Michigan is now responsible for attempted homicide on its owner. I guess a bit of misfortune was necessary for this poor cat owner to learn the hard way not to turn his back on an unpredictable cat.
© 2005 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.
Filed under: Non-game Wildlife, Outdoor Humor
1.) Skin it, stretch it – Sell the fur. Why waste it?
2.) Rumor has it that they are debating a cat season in WI. FERAL cat season. Seems there is a run on rather large gray cats with yellow eyes – they look like wildcats once they get frost-bitten – the ears and tail are often gone. Having personal experience with one, they WILL attack you if provoked.
3.) I saw several good cats the other day – it was a long drive. My buddy kept pointing at the road kill, saying “good cat!”
Hey slow down there!
I have a cat that is 16 years old, and I swear the sweetest thing in the world. He has never hissed or acted out while I have had him. He’s the one cat no one could hate. He justs too nice. One time he tried to sneak outside, and as soon as I came out to find him he ran right out from where he was hiding, and jumped into my arms. He hasn’t tried to get out since. They say animals represent the peronality of their owners, so maybe it’s their surroundings that make them mean or nice.
Slow down? Nah. I wish I had a dollar for everyone who has claimed that their cat is the one cat that was not evil. Instead, I have the scars.
Sorry – as a self-professed predator who is tired of getting slashed by “nice kitties”, I recognize the evil enemy.
And one more thing… …for the rural readers. If your septic system is not quite working at optimal efficiency, there is nothing that works as well as a dead cat. Well, OK, any cat. Something about their digestive tract bacteria that really gets your septic tank cooking! Sorry if this offends anyone.
I have a ferrel cat who is killing song bird, particulary my favourite teh red cardinal. I am debating a pistol or rifle.
I have just bought a box of sub sonics and will be dispatching this feline at first light when he seems to ambush my song birds.
If you hate cats, here’s one for you.
it’s Spring and the local cats will be killing the young squirrels again. I bought a good air gun and some hunting pellets and this year the squirrels will be avenged. hope the cat owners have money for vet bills…
I have to chuckle at the irony of a hunter who whines about cats taking away his own prey.
Look at it this way: at least the cats aren’t relying upon artificial weapons and ridiculously skewed odds to make their kills. Come to think of it, the cats have a hell of a lot more sportsmanship than you do when it comes to killing.