Thread: Fishing Buddy

I'd bet the Gators were here naturally a couple hundred years ago, they were just "restocked" in the 1970's or 80's after being wiped out. It's hard for the young to survive the winters here, but the adults do fine. I'm guessing the one (or more) in Limestone spends the winter in one of the holes off the main channel. I've never seen it over the fall, winter and early spring when I fish the area, but there are numerous old pits and holes in the area. They prefer to eat something that will fit in their mouth whole and are attracted to splashing in the water. I've know guys in Georgia to wade fish arms length from Gators and have been doing it their whole life, but they also don't tie a string of fish to their waist, LOL. Much like snakes, wild dogs and hogs, stay aware and observant and give them their space and you won't have a problem.

There's no point going into the woods if all the animals are dead. You might as well sit at home on the couch and watch the TV.

Pretty cool! I wouldn't worry about them to much just be mindful they are there and don't do anything foolish.

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I’ve saw them there lots of times while on the bank. Just don’t know how I’d react if one was close in my kayak. But I trust you so I’m not gonna let them keep me from fishing. Lol. Been wanting one for to long to not use it.


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You folks that haven't ever been around them don't fret too much. I spent a lot of time on the water when I lived in south AL. I couldn't begin to guess how many gators I've been around. They aren't going to attack you. Don't try to rub one on the head. You'll be fine. Remember, they're just a big lizard. With teeth.

Originally Posted by FurFlyin

You folks that haven't ever been around them don't fret too much. I spent a lot of time on the water when I lived in south AL. I couldn't begin to guess how many gators I've been around. They aren't going to attack you. Don't try to rub one on the head. You'll be fine. Remember, they're just a big lizard. With teeth.

They pretty good eating. Are they on your diet?

Originally Posted by Skippa Chippa

Like the beaver the alligator has no natural preditor to control the population. Congratulations in a few years you will have the largest population of alligators in North Central Alabama and still have beavers.

They have tons of natural predators, but it's the babies and eggs that are predated upon. It still works the same way though. Everything in nature has natural predators, or the ecosystem would crash. But, like someone else mentioned, here in N. AL we're probably at the edge of their natural range anyway. It's very difficult for the young to make to to adulthood.

I've heard all the stories about them being stocked to control the beavers too, but the real reason was that the American Alligator was on the brink of extinction back in the 60's and 70's and biologists were looking for ways to save them. So, they were stocked into the backwaters of wheeler (in the 70's, I think) to have kind of a reserve of them in case populations continued to declined elsewhere.

I see them pretty often in the area where that photo was taken. I know I've seen at least 3 different ones in there. Here's a couple of photos of ones I've seen.

Just part of our fishing day...




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