Vultures biting dog, chasing child

WISTV ^ | 01-29-08 | MissEdie

[MissEdie]

NEWBERRY COUNTY, SC (WIS) - "They're very rude," Alexis tells WIS News 10.

"They stink," says Sonny.

They've been called a lot of names by a lot of people, especially by the Harmons. "I would have to say they're ugly as anything," says Alexis.

But one thing you won't find these two calling them, is nice. "They're big, mean, and black," says Alexis.

We call them vultures, a name "Sonny" Harmon has grown to hate. "They've become a nuisance."

They've started invading her yard "200 at a time," she says.

"It's like something you'd see in a Stephen King movie," Sonny says.

They're biting her dog and even chasing little Alexis, who says, "That ain't a good thing."

It's all happened in the past month. Sonny says, "I want to get rid of them."

So Sonny called the US Department of Agriculture. Their advice is to use fireworks to scare them away. Sonny says, "That's all he told me."

Since vultures are a federally and state protected bird, you can't shoot them. Just don't tell that to Alexis. "I want them to just die."

But when WIS News 10 called the Department of Agriculture, we learned there is an exception. As a last resort, the Harmons could apply for a depredation permit, which would allow them to shoot "some" of the birds.

Sonny says, "When you're outnumbered by something a hundred to one that's pretty scary."

For now, Sonny says she's going to try fireworks, keep a closer eye on her dog and just hope for the best. "I hope we can at least minimize the problem."

Alexis hopes "they never come again!"

In the vultures' defense, they normally don't attack humans or animals. Joanna Weitzel with Carolina Wildlife Care says this case is highly unusual. She says the good news is since the birds are migratory, they may be leaving as the weather starts to warm up.

[Ken H]

- shoot, shovel, and shut-up -

__________________________________

"I'll have to remember that!"

[green iguana]

Interesting yes... but good luck trying to get one. I’ve been trying for 2+ years and missed the (3 hour) window of opportunity on Jan 8 by a couple of hours. Now it’s at least another year before he’ll be taking orders again.

[Oberon]

I have to wonder... will a vulture eat a dead vulture?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I waited two years and a buddy down in Lebanon, MO spoke up and got mine for me. Its a field grade, not exactly what I wanted but its worth twice what I paid already. I have the airbag tank, bought used.
Would like to make it a little less noisy...

[green iguana]

Would like to make it a little less noisy...

Tough to do when you're pushing out that much air. But maybe there's a legal way. Good luck.

How's it shoot?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Great. Trigger is about 4 lbs. One fill from the tank gives four shots. At 80 yards, the ball penetrates a 1/4 inch pine board. There is a slight blemish on the stock which Dennis filled with wood filler. This did not take the stain, so I'm thinking about having it refinished by a pro. I probably could do it but around here, there are plenty of gun and stock people. I put a Bushnell variable scope on it and it looks really classy. Its a heavy gun and kicks a bit...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

btw, I understand the next batch of 50 guns will appear in Jan 09. He takes no deposits so you just have to stay close. The last batch sold out in one day.

[JOAT]

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