From: PMurray (PJM@WORLDRAMP.NET)
Date: Mon Aug 14 2000 - 22:06:29 CDT
Hey All,
Some of ya'll posed some interesting queries for me to ponder. I had to
think about them thar questions for a spell, but after much contemplation
and consultation with "Gator Dan, the swamp smellin' man", I have been able
to provide ya'll with these here answers...
"Do alligators go into tents that smell of food?"
I have never known of an alligator to approach a tent for any reason.
First, they like water and most tents are not designed to be pitched in a
lake or a swamp. Secondly, lacking an opposable thumb, zippers just plain
elude them. Lastly, they hate the way we look and smell... and you thought
THEY were disgusting!
"How high do you have to hang an alligator bag?"
For what? Most women I know, just carry them on their arms. I guess it
would be helpful to know how big the bag is and from what part of the gator
it was made. I do know it is best to kill the gator before using any part of
him to carry your belongings. As for protecting food; raccoons are a much
bigger nuisance than any gator. I use a Parks Service recommended hard
plastic Bear Bag to keep them at bay.
"Are gators easy to spot in the wild?"
Sure, looky there's one now... attached to my arm! Actually they are great
at camouflage and usually ambush their prey. Not that many logs are in our
lakes and rivers.
"Have you ever really seen a gator hiking?"
Of course, I am a Gator to the core and so is my son! Go UF!!! However, any
path near ANY body of water has the potential for a gator encounter.
Seriously though, gators can be a problem here in Florida, especially next
to any body of water. There has been at least one WEBELOS lost (a few years
ago during a canoe trip), and you just have to be careful. However, they do
remain in the water for the most part (unless there is a drought), and they
do avoid adults. They will cozy up in between canoes at night and leave
rather violently when disturbed, and they don't have the sense God gave a
goose! They do seem attracted to young boys fishing (mostly hoping for a
hand-out DON'T FEED THEM!!!). When that happens, I usually take a long cane
pole and play "Whack-a-gator" to get them to leave the area. Most recently,
a man's arm was grabbed while he was in a boat, and a lady was found with
gator bites on her, but they think that might have been post humously. BTW,
near as we can figure a gator's favorite meal is dog... "suuurrrre, just
keep a yappin' at me... I'm on my way to shut you up!"
Before you ask, those were real questions sent to me, and they were all
good, I just had to have a bit more fun... ;-)
Fla-Bob Pete
I used to be a Bobwhite... NECS-59
I used to be a Knot-Head... SSD-20
Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner
Central Florida Council, Semoran Springs District
-----Original Message-----
From: JIM VAN HECKE [mailto:JVANHECKE@lanl.gov]
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2000 10:30 AM
To: PMurray; SCOUTS-L@LISTSERV.TCU.EDU
Subject: Re: Alligator Alert...
Being from Northern New Mexico, I am very aware of the bear problem, and
carry a small bell on my backpack, and never never never put any food or
sweet smelling items in my tent.
Knowing NOTHING about alligators, however, I would have thought the bell
would serve more as a "dinner bell" than a warning device.
Do alligators go into tents that smell of food?
How high do you have to hang an alligator bag?
Just some stuff I never thought of before :>)
At 05:47 AM 08/14/2000, PMurray wrote:
>Hey all,
>
> While we are talking about the "bear problem", I thought I might
> enlighten
>you to a particular problem we have to worry about while hiking here in the
>sunshine state (other than me, that is!)...
>
>FLORIDA STATE Memo:
>
> The Florida State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers,
>hunters, fishers, and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for
>alligators while in Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, and Orange Counties.
>
> They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little
bells
>on their clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly.
Jim Van Hecke - I used to be an Owl, and I'll always be an Eagle
Vice President - Program, Great Southwest Council, Albuquerque, NM
Kshippehellen Kitchkinet = Swift Current Guide
jvanhecke@lanl.gov OR jvh2099@aol.com
(505) 662-4340 (H), (505) 665-1863 (W)
