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I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 29th, 2015, 6:54 am
by wevans
Copied from facebook
Hi everyone. Our best friends launched at St. Marks' lighthouse yesterday and when they pulled aside to strap on the boat after scalloping all day with us, they put their dachshund down on the street as always before putting him in the car. Within 10 seconds, an 8-foot gator came out of the swampy area (30 yards from the ramp) and snatched their dog, pulling him into the water. Our friends saw the whole thing and even tried to swim in to get the gator, but it was too late. Please spread the word to your friends with dogs or small children. We used to do the same thing with our dachshund (letting him off the boat to relieve himself before driving home when we used to live in Tally) but we will never do that again. FWC came out and is working on removing the gator from that human-populated area. So sad!
Watch your animals and little ones closely folks!!
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 29th, 2015, 7:40 am
by KLONG
Wow. That is crazy. I plan to launch there in the next day or two. Thanks for the heads up.
Waldo, good to see you posting again. K
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 29th, 2015, 8:41 am
by Salty Gator
Super sad. I can't imagine having to watch that. Leash your dogs folks
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 30th, 2015, 7:10 am
by GaryDroze
I often see folks walking the St Marks Refuge levees with their dogs and/or toddlers. Tragedy waiting to happen, especially in the summer, when the 8 footers are both hungry AND competing for alpha reptile status. This is the only time of the year I get chased out of the creeks while wadefishing.
Dog owners, please be aware that your pooches are dinner bells for gators in the refuge.
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 30th, 2015, 9:41 am
by Steve Stinson
Years ago, when we first started the NFGFC, there used to be a large gator down there that had been fed a lot of fish remains and various other snacks. He became rather aggressive about blocking the ramp in an effort to get boaters to toss him a fish. Whatever you do, don't feed the gators or porpoises, both can become a real nuisance.
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 30th, 2015, 11:43 am
by kenfly
Wow! Thanks for the heads up for a lot of times have both with me. ( my dog Camry and my 3 & 6 year old) plan on going scalloping soon and putting in at the lighthouse. I will diff keep a close eye on my babies
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: June 30th, 2015, 1:03 pm
by Salty Gator
It is called St Marks wildlife refuge for a reason
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 1:39 pm
by rockyg
Heard a story recently about a couple guys driving into the refuge years ago for a mid-morning fishing trip only to see an older lady standing on top of one of the picnic tables holding her pet poodle with a 6' gator trying his best to figure out how to climb up on that table and have poodle for lunch. They ran the gator off, helped the visibly shaken lady down and gave her a drink of water. As they left she was heard to exclaim she "was going back to Chicago and never coming back to this God forsaken place".
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 2:12 pm
by zload
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 3:53 pm
by lonesouth
if armed, would you shoot a gator who took your dog?
would it be legal?
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 4:11 pm
by FUTCHCAIRO
YES I WOULD LEGAL OR NOT.
PA
SEMPER FI
P.S. EVER BEEN BIT BY A GATOR?
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 4:52 pm
by zload
Only until the magazine ran out of cartridges or it stopped whichever came first. I'm not a lawyer and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night but pretty sure you still have the right to protect your property and self against 2 legged or 4 legged critters in Florida at least for now...
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 5:03 pm
by DEMON
I'm sure the Federal Judge wouldn't be amused but I would definitely empty a clip on that gator.
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 5:35 pm
by Salty Gator
Until very recently( this year) you weren't allowed to carry firearms on the refuge. I'd guess it might have to do with circumstances. Also not an attorney and did not stay at holiday inn, but I'd think if your dog was off leash, you'd be in some hot water. If leashed it wouldn't be hard to argue you were in fear of your life. When I walk the the refuge, I carry to protect myself. The bottom line is, if your dog isn't off leash, then you aren't going to need to empty a mag, cause the gator isn't coming that close to you at the ramp
Re: I saw this on FaceBook for y'all fishin Saint Marks
Posted: July 1st, 2015, 6:40 pm
by Gulf Coast
Years ago...before....well thats enough of that story...
Sure was fun growing up down there !!