Gator Bait

[River Rat]

Back in September, we had a intruder in the pond, it is nothing unusual to have gators come and go freely from the river to the pond and vice versa.

Only thing, this young gator was very aggressive. He would swim to the bank and come out after anything that moved. The cattle could not drink water from the pond...cats, dogs, people were not safe in that area anymore.

All the pics are from the area, where I hunt Indian artifacts. You can see the construction across the river where the high $$ river front lots are going up for sale. I understand the last lot, facing the pond in a little bigger than the 100'x50' lots that are selling for...this one is going for $175,000.

As you can see, the gator is swimming closer towards me, I'm standing up on top of my 4-wheeler taking the pics. Believe me I was ready to haul a__ if he came closer towards me. They can jump and I was envisioning him jumping onto the 4-wheeler and getting me.

The last pics are when Wildlife & Fisheries came to capture him. He put up a fight, starting his rolling then jumping. He was almost 5' but be could do some damage if he attacked. He was released further down the river closer to the lake in no man's land.

Now, you had a little tour of my property....still want to come visit me?

RR

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Cool pics. Even though he was aggressive, he is not large enough to attack a human. The large gators are the only dangerous ones to humans. We used to have a little gator in a pond that attacked the weed-eater anytime the worker got close to the pond with it. Funniest thing. Maybe was best to move him before he gets any bigger and he was a danger to pets and children. I dont know if they can jump, but they can propell themselves out of the water at least half their length. I heard a story about a guy fishing and the gator ate his tackle box by the waters edge. I dont think he would attack anything far from the waters edge, and couldnt jump in the truck. Thanks for sharing.

 

[hollowpointred]

yup, i would have wanted that critter out of my pond too. knowing my luck he would have been able to jump in the truck! :P

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

They cannot jump in the truck. He looks young to me by all the light yellow coloring still on his hide. Actually kinda pretty. I believe you will not see the one that gets you. His aggressive behavior would be a threat to children. He has probably been eating raccoons, birds, or opossums at the waters edge and sees humans as no danger. Maybe now he wont come up so close to one(human) unless he wants to get hog tied.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is an old picture of "wallygator" our pet gator, notice the coloring. He eventually became too large for the swimming pool and we had to donate him to the Indian zoo. Bottom pic Wally, years later enjoying the sun and good life at the zoo with new friends.

 

[silverswede]

Could you run your detector over the middle of one of these things and check for old tackle boxes, rings, and watches, etc. from people trying to feed them. Maybe A.P. could design a tool for extracting valuables. Seem it would put a little exitement in the sport for you folks down there on a cold winter day. Have a good un'

 

[gollum]

They can't jump in the truck, but they can get up to about 25 MPH for about 90 feet. Then they run out of gas immediately.

Merry Christmas,

Mike

 

[Nana40]

Love them pictures RR! 8) But I bet you're sure glad that bugger is gone!


Merry Christmas!

Nana

 

[civilman1]

The place look's awesome RR....How could you refuse an invite to something like that....Planning on having a gator hunt....sign me up.Great pic's,thank's for sharin' and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Cool pic Dell. I heard if a drop of sweat or something were to drop in its mouth by reaction it would snap shut. Is this true?

 

[arkhunter]

i would love to come see the place ...and feed the gators...we have so few up here......i have only found one small one....but game and fish has moved a few trouble makers out in the rice fields

 

[Montana Jim]

Great pics RR... and Dell, yer nuts!

That baby gater would make some nice handgrips for the trike RR...

 

[MD Dog]

Kinda reminds me of Jalepeno' on a stick cept it's a gator on a stick !

 

[rmptr]

Do they taste like chicken?

I've heard the locals call Phillipine water dragons (lizard pets) pollo del par?? Chicken of the trees.

rmptr

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Do they taste like chicken?

I havent skinned one out lately, but back in the day I recall the tail being the most sought after meat, a tender succulent white meat tasting like a combination fish, lobster, and pork tenderloin. The rest often gets thrown out, but I will eat it. The legs tasting like chicken dark meat and the ribs like pork. Dip the boneless tail meat sections in egg, then flour, and deep fry.... yummy!



How much did you get paid to do that Dell? $2.50/hour? Do you have all your digits? Cool pic.

 

[Bridge End Farm]

Great pics RR... and Dell, yer nuts!

That baby gater would make some nice handgrips for the trike RR...

and good kabobs while your waiting on them to dry, it is a very young one you had.

Florida has at least one in every pond or soon after there is one.

 

[bradyboy]

against the law to feed gators in my parts.
They become feerless of us just after a few feeding.
I dont care how big or small they are, they can still do substancial damage, if they dont drag you or you pet in, then a gator roll in the water an your a gonner.
also against the law to have or raise a gator.
A few of these post are a bit ignorent for my taste.
Just my opinion

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

against the law to feed gators in my parts.
They become feerless of us just after a few feeding.
I dont care how big or small they are, they can still do substancial damage, if they dont drag you or you pet in, then a gator roll in the water an your a gonner.
also against the law to have or raise a gator.
A few of these post are a bit ignorent for my taste.
Just my opinion

I guess I am just an ignorant Florida cracker. (Permits can be obtained to raise and harvest or hunt alligators in Florida). Yes, I agree, you should NEVER feed a wild alligator. Who is doing that? I think arkhunter was joking.(I hope) You CAN have them removed if large enough where they can pose a danger to children and pets.

 

[Bridge End Farm]

I have been around gators all my life living on the St Johns River. I have swam close to them, I have lost calves and dogs to them too at times. They like any animals deserve respect and you have to know them. But they are no monster at all.

The only problem they have like any other wildlife is that development is coming into their territory and destroying their homes. So who loses the alligator just like the Indians when civilization encroached their homes too

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Developement is by far the biggest danger to all wildlife.