What do you think it was?

[Gone Fishing]

I live in a residential area on a canal in Harrison Twp. When I got home tonight, my wife was a bit upset and my son came running out to the truck. They discovered a full grown dead rabbit in the backyard.The spine was sticking out of the body and the head was totally detached along with a foot. My guess would be an owl but I rarely see any in the area. Any thoughts?

[outfishin_]

a FOX maybe.....:confused:

[Ferg]

Preditors would have not left the 'meat' of there pray behind, some sick mo fo that lives around you caught/killed it took a lucky foot (back foot too I bet, you didn't say) and cut the head off for who knows what sick reason -

ferg....
sad - but I think your preditor is human :16suspect

[Airoh]

Check for bite marks.
Probably a dog.

[drwink]

A CAT
We have a couple of cats on the farm and they usually stay around the yard.
But one wanders down the path every now and then.
The other day we moved the farm truck & there was the remnants of a rabbit there. head & feet detached a few entrails were all that was left.

[Splitshot]

John,

I'm with you. I have called in hundreds of owls and even some here in Lansing. There are a lot more owls around than you think. Remember the last two times we had the kids out how easy it was to call them.

Owls also like to take the heads and that is because when they kill an animal to heavy to fly away with, they eat it first. If you ever find a turkey with his head gone, it was probably done by an owl.

Of course unless you actually see the animal, you can't really know for sure.

Tell Val, it's just mother natures way. I'll give you a full report when I get back from KY, I leave tomorrow.

[Airoh]

Was the head missing?

[Gone Fishing]

Yup, the head was gone as was a rear foot. I did see a fox once in a nearby marsh but I'm pretty much in a residential area. I'm still thinking a preditory bird did the damage. :confused:

[Ken]

Maybe red-tailed hawk. I know there is a few in Royal Oak and Ferndale area that have no problem hunting and killing pigeons right in the city neighborhoods.

[Gone Fishing]

Hey Ray, as soon as Paul read you were going to Kentucky, I'm getting an ear full. Keep us in mind for the next trip! :) Good luck my friend!

[Banditto]

My dog does that trick.

[wecker20]

I bet it was a cat. Cats will kill anything they can catch and a lot of times they will eat the head only. If it were a wild predetor, seems like it would of taken it w/ it and ate it all. I do my part in my neck of the woods to reduce the cat population. I have too many barns loaded w/ cats around me. I have a barn and I left on cat for a mouse killer and a bait pile for other kitties ;)

[Ray Duve]

Splitshot,I am curious what what methods(elctronic call,mouthcall,ect.)you use to call in owls.I have been calling owls in for about 15 years,normally barred owls but every know and then a horned owl or even a few screech owls.Comes in quite handy when crow hunting or just showing a group of people that may never get the opportunity to see owls in the wild.

[umas911]

yotes have been spotted in the area on and off the last couple years and they even found a dead female in one of the canals in st clair shores last year

[mich buckmaster]

I would definately say an owl also. I have seen them take the heads off many animals and have done some small research on the GH Owl.

[Ed Michrina]

I'd say cat. but you'd be surrpised what lerks in the burbs. we had 2 fox Both live trapped by the city ((why??)) at 12 and Schoenherr. Now there is another one in the neighborhood. We also have several large hawks that live in the little wood plot at mac. college.

[trout]

John

Sounds terrible and I bet there are more of these creatures
near the Malls. :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:
Advise Val to stay indoors and for Gods sake don't risk shopping......you never know! :evil:
You can take me to Cabelas with your savings anytime :)

[bounty hunter]

When owls use to kill our chickens they took the head only for some reason and left the body . My guess is an owl too.

[Splitshot]

Ray,

Check out www.wildlifetech.com . This call is everything Bill Martz says it is and more. I have over 40 different owl calls and can call in barred owls in daylight and great horned in morning and evening with enough light to take pictures.


I believe that it works every time that an owl hears it. I have had many in trees right over my head and even one on the hood of my car that would not leave. My wife doesn't like me calling them near the cabin because they will sometimes stay for hours looking for the intruder.

[ESOX]

There are owls and plenty of hawks in your neighborhood John. The full moon in Oct. the Turkey Vultures will be congregating en masse in the trees on the island nearest you too. Makes for a spectacular sight, the full moon silhouetting hundreds of vultures roosted in barren trees. I know yotes are near you, but I sure can't envision one wandering down your street. Stranger things have happened though.....

[kingfisher2]

John, I'm sure it's a cougar! Truley though, I agree with the Owl.......

Marc

[FREEPOP]

IMHO, owl or it could be a member of the weasel family. I have seen weasels do that to domestic ducks, though my first choice still would be an owl.

[Gone Fishing]

I'm still thinking owl too but I guess we'll never know for sure. I do have a hawk that hangs out in a small tree at the corner of my deck. I thought he was trying to ambush smaller birds as I've seen some feather piles in the yard on occasion. I didn't think he was big enough to attack and behead a full grown rabbit but who knows.