Snapping turtles

Very good point!

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Freedom isn't Free

Hi, folks.

We come across both types of snappers here in southern TN/northern AL-- the common snapper and the alligator snapper. Loggerhead may be a local common name for the alligator snapper, but the loggerhead is also a name of a really big type of sea turtle.

In my experience, the alligator snappers are MUCH more relaxed than the common snappers, which is not to say that they're cute, cudly, and friendly. The common snappers are far more ill-tempered and 'snappy.' Either one you find, keep your hands clear of the head AND front portions of the shell. They have an incredibly long neck, and they can strike about as fast as a snake. A larger snapper really can take your hand off, and even the smallest can take a finger or a good sized plug off your hand. Be careful with these guys.

Darren

Loggerhead is the name for sea turtles. Mississippi alligator snapping turtles grow to 200 + lbs & they Can take off a finger or a hand.

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Freedom isn't Free

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Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm.

I'm with southerngurl, "Ewwwww!"

I've messed around with small snappers. They stink when they get ugly! My aunt messed with a somewhat larger snapping turtle one day. It was laying eggs in her garden so she tried to shoo it away, using a spade. Darn turtle bit the spade and dented it!

But no, I've never met one that tried to harm anyone unless they were being harassed.

But eat one? Will I ever get that hungry? I hope not.

The Aligator snapper is out of the question as they are not in central Illinois.
Also, getting all the turtles out of a pond or watering hole would mean taking a lot of smaller turtles. That does not compute for me. If I want to go after them another time I had better leave some seed. The Indians did not kill ALL the Buffalo, you know.
In my area there are several ponds as well as 3 creeks that all have either soft-shells or common snappers. I may take 4 or 5 in a season so that surely will not deplete the population much.
I have caught several turtles on land and have figured out how to get them without much ado. First you must have a strong stick to tap him or her on the nose. Keep doing this and reach behind and grab the tail. HOLD ON TIGHT! and get him off the ground immediately. This seems to paralize them. Beware not to hold them too close to your body or let them get close enough to grab anything. If you loose your grip you had better know the 2-step till you get him diverted. Then put him in a cut-off plastic barrel or just in the pickup bed. With the tailgate shut they can't get out. Need to get them in some water ASAP.
They know their tail is the weakest point and can spin faster than your reflexes if you don't keep pestering their nose with the stick. Dave

In the old days, guys frequently "polled" for turtles.

You take a long cypress pole, and attach a steel hook on the end. Walk down the banks of the bayou, tapping with the hook in the holes off the side of the banks. When you tap a turtle, hook the shell, and haul him up on the bank.

They would then take a large needle, and some cotton-sack thread, and stitch a back foot together with an opposing front foot, leaving the turtle on his back. You'd then continue your business on down the bayou, until you made your run, turn around, and pick up your catch on the way back.

Don't know if anybody does ths anymore, as I've only heard of it, not seen it.