Reply #3: eh, why not? [View All]

[northzax]

seriously, feral cats are, in fact, an invasive species to Wisconsin. they are not part of the ecosystem. If there is a classification in the law that allows for licensed hunting of invasive species, why allow that ant not feral cats? (or wild dogs, for that matter?) why keep feral cats as a special class?

I'm not saying shoot people's house cats, it's not that difficult to tell the difference, even at 100 feet, from a feral cat and a misplaced house cat. (at least until the house cat has been outside in the wild for a couple of days)

If the onus is then on the hunter to know for sure if the animal is a wild animal or a stray, wild or feral one, I support it. What is, in reality, the difference between a feral cat and another invasive species, like a coyote? Both are unnatrual predators. Both can carry diseases uncommon to the local ecosystem. Why give cats, simply because of their previous generational status as a house pet, special accomodation?

Now if what you're arguing is that invasive species should not be hunted, I'll isten, but if you are arguing that cats are some special species, then you are, in my opinion, way off base.

By the by, here is a list of the officialy recognized invasive species in Wisconsin: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/animals.htm