S Fla Herp Collector Warning

[MilkmanWes]

The Florida State Department of Fish and Wildlife and FEMA is advising emergency workers to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in Osceola, Polk, Manatee, Orange and Dade Counties.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly. They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator. It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity.
People should recognize the difference between small young alligator and large adult alligator droppings. Young alligator droppings are smaller and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers. Adult alligator droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

Saw this on another forum, thought it would be appreciated here.

 

[evilbob200]

lol

LOL, that gave me a good laugh.

 

[JeffG]

lmao...i was taking it seriously in the beginning because i am moving back to fl and would like to do some field hunting, then i finished and was able to relax.

 

[MilkmanWes]

Well the fact that alligators have been displaced and in places you wouldn't ordinarilly find them is true enough.

 

[JeffG]

true...i saw them occasionally when i lived in lutz.

 

[MilkmanWes]

Used to see them when I was canoeing throughout florida. Occasionally near the farms I worked on in felsmere and sebastian.

 

[dtknow]

Doubt pepper spray would work on one though.

 

[Immortal_sin]

too funny!
but I also know they really are a public menace sometimes. I guess shooting one is probably frowned upon as well. However, I also doubt pepper spray is going to do anything but make it more angry!

 

[Raan_Jodus]

sounds like a pre dinner mint to me. Could be effective tho, I haven't been sprayed with pepperspray before, but I can only imagine its not pleasant. Cant remember if its part of bear repellant or not...

 

[MilkmanWes]

So who has a can of pepper spray and wants to give it a go?

I would think it might work to prevent you from being seen as food or against an attack out of curiosity, but if it came to a matter of protecting territory or a mother protecting nest or young I wonder if it would be enough. They have that pesky third eyelid that would keep it from blinding them I bet. Also half the crap in the water probably burns worse, so the pepper spray may feel better. hehehe

I have heard of it being used against other aggresive wild animals but not sure if it is one of those things that anyone who has proof that it doesn't work, can't tell us about it anymore. They did mention pepper spray as a control measure at a zoo in Dallas earlier this year when their gorilla escaped and went nuts on the kids that had been teasing it and tormenting it by tossing rocks in the enclosure. I do not immediately recall what was said about it except that it was mentioned.

 

[Brian S]

too funny!
but I also know they really are a public menace sometimes. I guess shooting one is probably frowned upon as well. However, I also doubt pepper spray is going to do anything but make it more angry!

Yeah goin' into the gator's turf w/ pepper spray might just be the same as going bear hunting with a switch

 

[Scylla]

They did mention pepper spray as a control measure at a zoo in Dallas earlier this year when their gorilla escaped and went nuts on the kids that had been teasing it and tormenting it by tossing rocks in the enclosure. I do not immediately recall what was said about it except that it was mentioned.

They should have used it on the kids, not the gorilla!