some are both, some neither. a predator is an animal the feeds on other animals. So hawks, egales, bears, lions, clligators,etc are predators.

A varmint is just an unwanted animal, like a groundhog or a Pr'dog. Generally they can be small, but a large can also be a varmint. Some maybe predators, like 'otes and fox, and wolves.

Just like weeds are only wanted flowers. think of that dandelion as a flower!!!

 

Just wondered about the terminology guys used on HPA as far as what they considered to be predators and what are considered varmints.

 

Good question. I get bent sometimes when I hear people call coyotes and fox Varmints. They deserve more respect than that. Coyotes especially are the smartest animal out there in my opinion. The description above is accurate.

 

That is a good question…. Predator, Varmint, Vermin, they could be called all three. However Woodchucks, Prairie Dogs, would be classified more of being varmints or vermin and not predators. Predators are omnivores they eat everything… garbage, meat, vegetables, fruit, dung, etc but the name predator signifies they prey on other animals…So…fox, coon, bobcat, coyotes, and crows, are predators. Starlings and English Sparrows could be considered predators, Varmints, or Vermin also since they do destroy song bird nest..
So you would almost have to look at each animal or bird and decide in your own eyes what it really is..
Now you can take it one step further… Here in Pa we buy a Fur Takers License to harvest fox, coon, and bobcat… So in many of us that sell fur or collect it as a trophy they are not vermin to us…We would be more apt to classify them as a predator.. Now many of the farmers here in Pa would consider all the animals and birds I referenced as predators, varmints, or vermin since they kill their livestock and steal their harvest too.. Just listen to many of the people who don’t buy a fur takers license and use their regular hunting license to hunt coyotes during deer season.. They in their mind think of the coyote as a varmint or vermin.. Some will even just lay the carcass lay after they shoot it on deer stand… Not us Predator Hunters.. Gee a coyote is a trophy to us.. Also take the United Kingdom….They hunt fox big-time over there but they are considered more like vermin, varmints and predators. The Englishmen that I know don’t sell the fur… They do like to use explosive bullets that render the hides unsellable anyway..
Even in this here Unites States….sportsperson look at different ways too… We here in Pa that belong to the Pa Predator hunters Association use the name predator in our official name… Out Western hunting organizations use Varmint in their official name but they hunt coyotes, fox, prairie dogs, etc etc…
Truly any of the animals listed all could be classified as Varmints or Vermin… I don’t think you could classify a woodchuck or prairie dog as a predator. However that same farmer might say…No they are a predator because they prey on my crops or make my livestock break their legs so they are preying on his or her livelihood..