That's a Good Gator ...

[patocazador]

This gator is a cannibal and eats smaller gators. "Good Boy!"

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/04/14/Cannibal-alligators-feast-on-smaller-gators-at-Florida-reserve/7031460659148/

This was taken at a nature preserve south of Lakeland, FL where I have duck hunted in the past. It borders Lake Hancock which has the greatest density of alligators I have seen.

Here's a pic I took of a small one aggressively approaching me while I was in a 12' layout boat duck hunting about 200 yds. from the creek running through that area.

https://servimg.com/view/19440265/14

 

[BigAl52]

Id like to spit some beechnut in that dudes eyes and shoot him with my ole 45.

 

[Muley Hunter]

Bears do the same thing. It's smart though. A bore will eat cubs not for just a meal, but to bring the sow back in heat.

 

[patocazador]

Id like to spit some beechnut in that dudes eyes and shoot him with my ole 45.

We welcome gator-killin' "country boys."

Unlike a lot of people, I'm not a big fan of gator meat .. except the cheek meat. But the nice thing about gator tail is you get 4 long strips of white meat that tastes a bit like frog legs but not as good.


PS: This is the layout boat I used to duck hunt when I took the photo of the small gator.

 

[BigAl52]

Bob
I think your Dog is neat and nice looking. I had some gator tail one time when I went to Jacksonville to see someone. I thought it was pretty good. Taste like Chicken.:lol:

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

Nice pics! 

It is gator mating season now. They get crazy aggressive this time of year. 
Even the little ones pull in close pushing territory like they are mini-Godzillas. 
Good time to see them. Not a good time to be unobservant.

That sure is a good dog, Nyssa. Who made the boat she is on? 

I accidentally clicked onto your photo bucket. You are the real hunting deal! :bow:

 

[patocazador]

That's a Bankes' scull boat made in Port Rowan, Ontario. It's the only scull boat that can't sink .. I tried. I filled it with water until no air was trapped and was still able to paddle it to shore. The gunnels were below the water line. It only has about a 6" freeboard so it's important to have good flotation.

Nyssa is taught to lie flat on the floor in front of me and not raise up when I do (or she'd get her head blown off). When you get in range of rafted ducks, you sit up and shoot, then Nyssa jumps in and retrieves them.
It's a good set-up but old codgers with shoulder problems have to retire from it when they're too worn out to get back to shore. I haven't used it in the last 3 years. :no:

 

[Muley Hunter]

It doesn't look like much protection from gators.

 

[patocazador]

They know I taste bad. Besides, the duck hunting takes place when the ducks come down after Thanksgiving. Then the water is colder. Gators get lethargic in the cold and don't feed much.

 

[Muley Hunter]

It only takes one who's more hungry than cold.

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

Reptiles are predictable. Give me a 40 degree temp and I am no longer worried.

Thanks for the boat info!