Watch where you park!!!

[MonacoMike]

We recently launched at Lake Monroe near Bloomington, IN and suffered damage to our truck from black vultures. I parked the truck and trailer in a nearly deserted lot surrounded by trees about an hour before dark. As I walked to the boat I noticed a dozen or so big black birds. The next day I went to the truck for some cups and immediately noticed it was covered with a whiteish substance with large brown streaks in some spots. Closer inspection revealed the roof was completely covered in a combination of lake water, bird sh!t, and fearthers. What a awful smell, I do not question where the term "foul smell" came from. It was further discovered that the vultures had destroyed my sunroof seal, they literally pecked it off the truck. I contacted the park office and the manager indicated these birds had first arrived in the fall 2010, stayed for about 3 weeks, migrated on, only to return again this fall. They number up to 600 birds at some times near the ramp. My truck was one of a half dozen that were damaged, all had seals or rubber destroyed including a truck with a seal between the cab and extension body sections. The birds are protected by the North American Migratory Bird Treaty, so there is nothing that can be done to remove them at this time.


I have heard that in an effort to be green and utilize renewable resources manufacturers are using peanut oil to make seals and wiring casing. It is said these birds or animals are drawn to the seals because of this. I have heard reports of newer busses and trucks having the wiring casings chewed off by rodents causing shorts and malfunctions. My truck cost $600 to repair. Anyone ever seen or heard of a situation like this? MM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Vulture

 

[AKBASSKING]

That sucks! In Alaska I have seen ravens dismantle windshield wiper blades. Lets see a little peanut butter and rat poison?????

 

[Pyrojodge]

I work for a larg bus manufacturer. We have had some "issues" with our busses having thermal malfunctions. I have heard of this being part of the problems with squirels... we now coat our wires with a metal cover or hard plastic casing... sorry for your loss... and mess!

 

[CV-23]

Protected vultures?.....12ga for them and those who think they are special. Just more stupid laws. We have a problem with geese that don't migrate anymore....that takes them off the protected list for me, Mike.

 

[Quint4]

Man that is no good. I agree with the 12ga approach if you wouldn't be fined and jailed.

 

[dmcb]

I just read this thread and would like to comment.
You can get vultures to completely leave an area by "finding" a dead one and hang it from a tree. It might take 2 or 3 days but they leave the area.
They are protected here in Florida also but the DNR told us that. I found one that fell off a roof and ran into a pellet with its head.
I took a large nut with a strong string. Tossed it over a high limb and hung the dead vulture I "found".
About 3 days later they were all gone from the area.
Doug

 

[tdschafer]

I just read this thread and would like to comment.
You can get vultures to completely leave an area by "finding" a dead one and hang it from a tree. It might take 2 or 3 days but they leave the area.
They are protected here in Florida also but the DNR told us that. I found one that fell off a roof and ran into a pellet with its head.
I took a large nut with a strong string. Tossed it over a high limb and hung the dead vulture I "found".
About 3 days later they were all gone from the area.
Doug

:smt043
Doug, That is friggin funny stuff right there!!


Mike,
This reminds me of driving through the baboon exhibit at Six Flags, Great Adventure in NJ many years ago. They would actually jump from one vehicle to another and attack the vinyl strips on the luggage racks and roofs. I'll never forget the look on Tony Pisanos face as they jumped on his new Caddy and bit down on the soft Landau roof!! Man that guy laid some rubber ripping out of there!!

 

[OldSkool]

Very few animals can stand it's own dead scent. They have used this with shark repellent and found it very effective. I can't even stand some of the living walking around our town.:lol::lol:

 

[MonacoMike]

That is all great stuff; good advice and humor!

MM

 

[KRB64]

We have trouble with them here attacking calves and goat kids. They eat them as they are being born before the dam recovers and even if she does she can't fend off dozens of them.

You can get a permit if you prove they are a problem. Kill up to 6 I think. The effiggy, as mentioned by dmcb does work. We've had farmers shoot to scare them and accidently hit one or two. Big fine and jail time if caught.

Their population is increasing 9% annually around here. The reds are OK, its the black headed ones that are aggressive.

 

[beernutz]

Vulture - tastes like chicken!

 

[KRB64]

Now thats just gross!

 

[dmcb]

:smt001 You better have a lot of them for a meal. There is nothing to them. They are as light as a ------------------
feather.
Doug