Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Southern Boys, New Pet

I won't eat a wild hog because of their nastiness. There is nothing no matter how putrid a gator won't eat.

Yes sir,

It sounds like an awesome camp a lot of us would enjoy if we had that same honor.
I've raised a couple of those critters . I've never liked how the gator people series treated the fine animals even though I hunt and eat game. It just seems a little too sensational with no educational benefits to the rest of us who may have opportunity to enjoy those Cyprus rivers.

It varies from gator to gator, much like people, but they can be very intelligent. I've exposed thousands of people to my gators. I followed safety rules so there's never been anyone exposed to any risks. Perhaps some little boy raised him as a baby like they do box turtles around here. Maybe he is just curious and for whatever reason, friendly.
Whatever the reason he's taken a liking to you, this is my opinion.

IF he bothers you, or you are concerned about possible future behavior, you have two good options.

1. Relocate it to a distant waterway far from roads and homes that has plenty of food and little competition from big gators. It might take someone with experience and a gentle hand, like a zoo keeper of a reptile exhibit. Most people that catch gators don't know how to properly do so without killing them or breaking the spine leading to death. Second thought is that this is not a good option.

3. Carry a long straw broom with you. When he approaches, gently shoe it away. Just carefully push it away in the direction you want it to go...back into the closest line to water. If you do this use much caution and I'd wear heavy leather boots just in case..
They are smarter than they look, usually....
It will eventually get the idea and should quit bothering you. Just be consistent and gentle. It'll learn.

If you enjoy it's company and want it around, then treat it like you would any other wild animal. Don't trust it 100%, and keep a broom handle nearby. Don't let grandchildren too close with supervision. Never allow children around it without supervision. Never feed it, or let anyone else feed it. That includes neighbors. The only way you can prevent that is by talking to them about the fact that he adopted you and one thing you'd like is a friendly around instead of a mean one. Teach them how he will get acclimated to being fed if they ever do that or leave meat scraps out....then your friend might have to be destroyed......Remind them occasionally since they might be tempted. Show them how you direct him with the side bristles of a long straw broom. I'd buy them a broom like that if he gets friendly with them too. Teach them by demonstration when he's over there so they can try for themselves supervised the first time. This might prevent a future unfortunate experience with them. You just use it with the bristles to the ground like you were sweeping her away. Keep it between you and it as a barrier and sweep in the direction it should go but extremely sloooow. Be patient. They are more like sleepy basset hounds than a Chihuahua.

Animals and humans CAN live in harmony even if they aren't dogs. My late Dad was extremely blessed by one of my gators. He liked him as much as any dog. That made for some good memories. They both liked each other and spoke to each other. Yes, they communicate. You'll learn the different tones of grunts, hisses, etc. They are very interesting modern day "dinosaurs."

Gator boots in your future?

Maybe he's waiting until he gets big enough to eat you.

I'm not Steve Irwin and I don't trust reptiles.

Laying there thinking:
"pa says they taste like chicken but I don't see how"

^^ full of chit^^

Probably just a low-slung Doberman with a notch in its tail.

You will have to be more specific.

pics or it didn’t happen

Don’t be a wayneshaw or an elkslayer

I used to see a guy every time we went to Lafitte that had about a 4 foot gator that he walked around with a collar and a leash .

Umm , come to think of it I haven't seen him in a while .

He’s got plenty to eat. The several camps on the bayou all have fish cleaning sheds right on the bayou like mine so no need to feed him and I wouldn’t anyhow, that could only end one way.

Hastings you’re right. Them sumbitches will eat just about anything including each other.

Got another pet hanging real close and is curious also. A large coon that’s almost grey in color. I met him while cleaning off cypress needles and limbs off the top of my main shed overhang that leads to my boat slip shed. He had quite a home built under that overhang from one shed to another. He’s another one that hangs around quite a bit and hasn’t been aggressive.

They are not endangered. Get a tag. Cook him up before he eats you while your napping.

In due time that’s about how this will end or like that in “Ole Yeller”.

I wouldn't trust a gator , he might turn on you .

Deeply profound.
Thank you for that.

Yep. Trust ain’t part of the deal.

I’ll probably need to whack him over the head with a big stick. The time is coming.

Gators have no predators except for us and bigger gators. No need for them to fear anything and mostly, they don’t.

Put me in the hot oil + sharp knife crowd.

Lots of people have been hurt or killed by wild 'pets', everything from deer to snakes to junk yard women. If an animal with less obvious weapons, like a deer, can do you in, one with very obvious weapons, like gators and women, are extra dangerous. They're natural predators.

Heh !

Do you guys remember the Holy Roller pastor north of Baton Rouge in Central, Louisiana, Reverend Tony Spell? He was the one in the news who defied all things covid related and ran afoul of the law and still has stuff pending against him like trying to back his suv over a protester at the church, etc.

Last week he shot and killed a 6’ gator that was in the pond behind his church and put a picture of himself holding it up by the tail on social media. Well,,,,the Louisiana wildlife and fisheries folks took deep umbrage and exception to all of that and popped Reverend Tony’s ass with several heavy violations.

The good reverend’s defense is now that the pond was used for Baptismal ceremonies and he was concerned about the safety of the dunkers and the dunkees.

That defense ain’t flying too well at the moment.

So, back to Gator McClusky,,,I’ll probably just whack his ass and let him know that he ain’t welcome in the camp yard.

happy crapper.