Hypothetical question

[Orrex]

Suppose that a hypothetical person (let's call them, um, Xerro) were growing a hypothetical garden, but a hypothetical animal (let's call it a houndgrog) decided to help itself to just about every last vegetable.

Suppose further that Xerro were to catch the houndgrog in a humane trap in hope of releasing it elsewhere.

Let's say that Xerro deposited the houndgrog about 15 miles away in an uncultivated meadow surrounded by woods. Is that far enough to prevent it from finding its way back?

I've read conflicting suggestions online and wanted to pick a few brains here. And I ask because Xerro might hypothetically have spotted a houndgrog staking out the hypothetical garden, and they wondered if it's the same one or a successor.


Your hypothetical help is much appreciated!

[WheelWalker]

1. How many roads must a houndgrog cross

to return to the scene of the crime?

[Orrex]

2. So you see my dilemma!

I mean, Xerro's hypothetical dilemma.

[WheelWalker]

3. To garden is at once to experience and to tend the Dharma.

[Orrex]

4. Profound, but not especially (hypothetically) helpful!

[WheelWalker]

5. Logically, you are bound in what is known as a "destructive dilemma".

Hypothetically, of course.

[Bayard]

6. Simple

If you do catch the varmint, you spray paint a spot on him (your preference of color.) If you catch the same guy again, you will know him by his spot. You didn't take him far enough. Try Nebraska next time.

[Orrex]

8. As a matter of fact...

Xerro considered painting the critter but then thought “nah, it’ll never find its way back.”

[stopdiggin]

7. you knew nothing of the twin brother?

there's always a twin - or a doppelganger.

[Kali]

9. I don't know about groundhogs

but skunks will travel 10 miles or more to get back to where they were trapped. Once again confirming my opinion about "humane" catch and release. PM if you want more info. I deal with rural reality, not Disney stories.

[sl8]

10. Relocating nuisance animals is also illegal in many places. nt

[Kali]

11. indeed

I have frequently mentioned on the many "eek a mouse in my house" threads over the years the fact that releasing vermin may make the individual doing it feel good but it is either actually cruel or passing the problem along to someone else.

[Orrex]

12. That's a good point

I’ll have to use some Trumper’s yard as a release site henceforth.

Honestly, I had no humane way to dispatch it or I’d have done so. We’ll see how the current hypothetical pest fares.