Porcupines

Just wondering how everyone feels about porcupines? I've heard of some people that own dogs taking them out because of the danger to the dogs obviously. Just wondering what else they may do to the environment that I don't know about, and if anyone else gets rid of them.

Thanks!

Don't eat them so I leave them be. Wouldn't considered them enough of a danger to my dog warranting elimination.

I don't bother them either, they are easy to catch, so easy food if you are lost in the bush.

I have never killed one, but have seen many of them - some quite up close!!! My mentality is the same as finsfurfeathers: why kill something that is not bothering me and I am not going to eat it anyway?
I had a dog for 12 years and now I have a new one that is hopefully going to hunt with me. I have only run into ONE porco while out with a dog and nothing bad ever happened. My friend's dogs have been hit but they handled the situation and their dogs were fine after. That being said, I wouldn't want my dog to go through any pain.

Something interesting: The quill of the porcupine is scaled so it moves forward every time the victim moves. If a tip is left in the body, it can travel and enter a vital part, killing the animal weeks later.

Every farmer I have ever spoken to, has asked me to kill porcupines if I see any on their property.
They chew through barns and sheds, destroy trees and cause other problems...

As a young hunter, I once ran into some guys on crown land who were specifically hunting porcos. I found that quite strange at the time but didn't ask questions.

Here's the latest porcupine I met in the field. We didn't shake hands but he was smiling when I left. :)
http://i643.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3a75868b.jpg

Ate one as kid in our "lets try one of everything" hunting days, really wild taste with bitter nutty taste. We cooked over fire in chunks, was very fatty. Don't have much use today for them and would leave them along. My brother in-law had a problem with them and the pressure treated outhouse at camp, apparently the salt or chemicals in the wood taste good.

I guess I am on the other side of the fence. As a farmer and hunter landowner ,I have had an ongoing, battle with porky's. Our area has a lot of big swamps this has been a constant supply of them for years. Have had cattle with their faces full of quills . I can assure that it no fun for me or the cow to remove them. Come spring when the trees are running sap they love to eat the bark from young trees.This usually kills the tree. They seem to love eat plywood, at our hunt camp they ate through the floor. not a good thing. Toilet seats are a favorite also, I guess looking for salt I usually shoot them if I see them. My opinion may not be popular but ,it is my opinion. Old243

I get rid of them too if near my house or buildings . Other than that I leave them be . I know a few native ladies that ask me to bring them any roadkill porkies . They pluck the quills out and use them in crafts which they sell .


TD

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Originally Posted by line052

... really wild taste with bitter nutty taste. We cooked over fire in chunks, was very fatty. .

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Dang usually toss them especially if they are bitter. :joker:

I shoot them. The damage pines by stripping bark. Dogs and quills is problem too. I've probably spent close to $1000 on porcupine related dog encounters.

I get rid of them when i have a chance for a land owner. The porks will kill healthy trees as well eat any wood it can find including your house, trailer, deer stands your name it. I don't eat them but we do turn them over for the scavengers to take care of.