Anybody Need Some New Alligator Shoes?

[bassin_bug]

I have a visitor who has overstayed his 'welcome' at my fish pond in Alabama. It is a 6-ft. Missippiensis, or known coloquially as a Gator. If anyone wants his skin to make you a new pair of shoes, you have to take the whole gator which could also help out with the food supply in these tough economic times. I'll donate it to you FREE.

I'll explain my complicated problem. He had a little bit of help getting there because the Tombigbee River is about twelve to fifteen miles away and there is no alligator habitat in the area. About five years ago my brother told me that the neighbors said someone dumped three small alligators into the pond. I sent word back to kill them and thought that was the end of it. Now people are calling me telling me that I have a gator and they are worried about small children and pets that live along that road. Another issue is that I own the land from one end of the road to the other and they want to make it my liability. There are also three other fish ponds across the road from my property which are owned by other landowners.

The big problem is that it is illegal to kill a gator in that county because it is a protected species. In areas of the state where gator hunting is allowed for about 30 days out of the year, a special state permit and tag are required and the gator cannot just be shot and killed. The stupid law says that it must first be caught (yea, RIGHT) and restrained with a noose before it can be shot. Are any of you guys into alligator wrestling?

I notified the Captain of the Game & Fish Division of Law Enforcement, for that district, and asked him to send some game wardens to trap and remove the gator but I don't know whether he will do it or not.

I asked the last person who called me _itching about it if he knew which would get me less time in jail, killing the gator or the person who put it in the pond. I have always been a law abiding citizen, have NEVER been arrested, and have only gotten one speeding ticket in my whole life. I'm seriously considering breaking the law if the State doesn't give me some help. Can anyone offer me a suggestion to kill and remove that rascal without the neighbors knowing about it?

[roadrunner]

I think the fact you reported it to the proper officials and you legally can not destroy the gator this would go a long way to help you as far as liability. I would think you could get a permit to kill the varmit if it caused a hazard to children and pets.

Who ever is complaining tell them they have your permission to take care of the problem.

[JD7.62]

Where at? Ive got some family down in Autauga County and Birmingham Id stay with if I had permission to trap this thing. I've never done it before but Ive always wanted to move to south Florida and start my own Gator Wrastlin and Critter Wranglin company! Ive caught some big hot snakes so I figure a 6ft gator is less dangerous then a 5ft diamond back!

Im serious, Id love to try and catch a gator. 6ft isnt too bad. All Id need is a nice heavy duty catfish set up rigged with 80-120lb+ braided line, a big sharp treble hook, a rope with a slip knot and some duct tape.

[bassin_bug]

Where at? Ive got some family down in Autauga County and Birmingham Id stay with if I had permission to trap this thing. I've never done it before but Ive always wanted to move to south Florida and start my own Gator Wrastlin and Critter Wranglin company! Ive caught some big hot snakes so I figure a 6ft gator is less dangerous then a 5ft diamond back!

Im serious, Id love to try and catch a gator. 6ft isnt too bad. All Id need is a nice heavy duty catfish set up rigged with 80-120lb+ braided line, a big sharp treble hook, a rope with a slip knot and some duct tape.

You tempt me to tell you where it is just to watch the show. I'll bet if I posted a notice you would make the 5:00 pm news on WJHL-TV, Mobile. I could probably make my first million by charging admission. However, I pity the person who snags a gator with a treble hook especially during this time of year. A mad alligator, with raging hormones, and on the prowl for some love ain't in the mood for that kind of wrasslin' match. Its gator mating season in Alabama! Maybe you could fool him by dressing up as a lady alligator. lol

[JD7.62]

Honestly that is how they trap smaller gators, heavy line and a snagging hook!

The gators instinct, especially at just 6ft is going to dive into the water. So when snagged and you get him/her near the bank he will keep his head toward the water and its unlikely the animal will actually leave the water to get you. With the reptiles head toward the water is when you rope its jaw and then drag him up. Get a couple more ropes on his jaw and your about done!

A 6fter may or may not be sexually mature as of yet so maybe it wont be that awnry!

[bassin_bug]

Honestly that is how they trap smaller gators, heavy line and a snagging hook!

The gators instinct, especially at just 6ft is going to dive into the water. So when snagged and you get him/her near the bank he will keep his head toward the water and its unlikely the animal will actually leave the water to get you. With the reptiles head toward the water is when you rope its jaw and then drag him up. Get a couple more ropes on his jaw and your about done!

A 6fter may or may not be sexually mature as of yet so maybe it wont be that awnry!

This one is a real meanie at this size. He lies beside the road and chases people who stop to have a look. Yesterday afternoon he was lying in the edge of the water at the spillway and someone stopped and was walking over for a closer look (stupid). He didn't move but slammed his tail hard on the water and gave a big yawn to warn them. I think they are teasing him and someone is going to get hurt. He goes into a nearby pond and that's where it gets dangerous because the pond is about 20 feet from their carport. They have two dogs and two cats that drink from the pond.

I did talk to the Captain of Game and Fish Law Enforcement earlier in the day and he said that he had notified a Game Warden who is stationed about eight miles away. I think that lets me off the hook if there ever was a liability, which I doubt, because it is free to move from pond to pond and nobody owns him, certainly not me.

[Bobby Headrick]

iF YOU OWN THE POND THEY MIGHT MAKE YOU PAY A PRO TRAPPER TO REMOVE IT, YOU ALSO MIGHT WATCH A & E TV AND GET THAT PEST REMOVER GUY ON THE EXTERMINATORS SHOW, YOU COULD BE ON TV AND GET RID OF THE GATOR.

[ryan_ekubass]

i would think that if your life was in danger that you could legally take the animal endangered or not... i know if i was walking thru the woods and a big ole endangered animal wanted to have me for lunch i would defend my self with deadly force..... but if i was u i would put up no trespassing signs about 100 feet apart along the length of your property.... and if alligator hunting was legal in your area i would think that one well placed shot with a highpowered deer rifle to the head would do the trick.... if alabama fish and wildlfe are having trouble helping you out notify the US fish and wildlife and tell them about your ferrell gator problem adn the dangers it is imposing on nosy onlookers and see what there response is.... or call that guy on the outdoor channel from savage wild..... i got it best brainstorm yet.. since peta wants to protect adn save all animals from flys on up... call them and get them to come and humanely trap that booger and release it into a Sanctuary...LOL... But seriously i would post my property...

[DJD]

That food supply of pets might start thinning out!

[JD7.62]

I am glad to see gators are starting to spead back into their original range. Last year I saw one about 4ft dead on the side of I65 not even 30 miles south of Birmingham in Shelby County!

[DJD]

When I lived outside Orlando on the East side we heard of Gators under cars or in peoples pools at least once a year maybe more and that was in a suburban area. Rattlesnakes and Water Moccasins were found on a regular basis in garages and yards.

[bassin_bug]

i would think that if your life was in danger that you could legally take the animal endangered or not... i know if i was walking thru the woods and a big ole endangered animal wanted to have me for lunch i would defend my self with deadly force..... but if i was u i would put up no trespassing signs about 100 feet apart along the length of your property.... and if alligator hunting was legal in your area i would think that one well placed shot with a highpowered deer rifle to the head would do the trick.... if alabama fish and wildlfe are having trouble helping you out notify the US fish and wildlife and tell them about your ferrell gator problem adn the dangers it is imposing on nosy onlookers and see what there response is.... or call that guy on the outdoor channel from savage wild..... i got it best brainstorm yet.. since peta wants to protect adn save all animals from flys on up... call them and get them to come and humanely trap that booger and release it into a Sanctuary...LOL... But seriously i would post my property...

I am not in danger because I live 508 miles from this property. There are both "No Trespassing" and "No Hunting" signs posted 10 ft. from the pond and all around my property. The State Fish & Game Law Enforcement Officer called me late last night with a report which I will post as soon as I have time. Sorry I can't do it at this time.