06-30-2007, 07:20 PM
[cool][#0000ff]There are always the "what if" questions for newbies. Dealing with potentially dangerous critters...farm animals, dogs, skunks, snakes, gators, turtles and such...is always a concern...or should be. The good news is that with proper planning and on the water awareness, you should never have to worry as much about dangerous wildlife as you do about getting home safely on the roads afterwards.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a copy and paste of some words from my book chapter on Comfort and Safety:[/#0000ff]
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[font "Times New Roman"]WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS: [/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Fishermen are not the only creatures that like to hang out around the water. Very few species of birds, mammals and/or reptiles turn down the opportunity to take up residence near a lake or stream. Many of these critters merely add to the pleasure of a day upon the water. Just seeing them enhances the enjoyment of the trip.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There are plenty of the other kind, though. We have nothing to fear from birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks. However, a few water birds, like gulls, grebes and cormorants, are potentially dangerous when accidentally hooked. They have sharp beaks and a nasty disposition. When attached to a line they can poke holes in both you and your craft. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There aren’t too many mammals you need to watch out for. Obviously we want to avoid skunks, which hunt along the edges of lakes and streams. You need to be especially watchful when hiking to and from the water, especially in the dark. Skunks are not timid. They are prone to stand their ground and they have a powerful defense.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The danger of bears, lions or other dangerous carnivores is not much of a factor, except perhaps in Glacier Park or some waters in British Columbia and Alaska. The greatest danger from animals comes from packing your tube across a field guarded by a farmer’s bull…or protective cows with calves. Nasty dogs can be hazardous too. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Reptiles are an important consideration. Snakes are at the top of the list. Nobody likes snakes. Lots of snakes like the water, and some of them are venomous. The worst customer, in many southern states, is the water moccasin. It is common in and on many waters and it can be aggressive. If you hike the banks, going to or from fishing, you can also encounter copperheads or rattlesnakes. It’s a good idea to watch carefully and to avoid any snake you see.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Although, neither copperheads or rattlers spend a lot of time in the water, they both swim well when they want to or need to. If you don’t stay in touch with what is going on around you at all times, you might belatedly discover one trying to climb up onto your craft with you. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Alligators are another type of potentially dangerous reptile. Big ones are to be avoided at any cost. Smaller ones are usually more timid, but can still inflict some damage. It’s never a good idea to launch in waters that are known alligator habitat, unless you have a big boat with high sides.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The final mention in the reptile department, as potential hazards for flotation fishermen, are turtles. The most dangerous is the alligator snapper. Although they get to be huge, large ones are seldom seen anymore, due to over fishing. These babies can take off a finger, quick as a
. If you see them, avoid them. And, don’t attract them with stringers of fish hanging over the side.[/font][/size] [font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]PREVENTION & REMEDIES: [/font][/size] [ol] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Include a wading staff in your accessories. This can double as a “whacking stick”, to fend off or dispatch encroaching critters. Use it to first push intruders away. If that doesn’t discourage them, then use some “applied psychology”.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Poisonous snakes. Stay away from them. If your passion for fishing outweighs your common sense, then at least go prepared. In addition to a “whacking stick”, carry a small caliber pistol (where legal) loaded with shot shells…”snake loads”. Don’t shoot at every snake you see. Employ the gun only as a final measure to keep dangerous snakes from joining you in your craft, if they become insistent.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Snake bite. Get out of the water and seek immediate help. Don’t try cutting and sucking or any of the old mumbo jumbo. Leave your tackle and your craft if you need to, and get to a hospital for qualified medical attention. If you get there promptly, your chances for survival are usually good.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Hooked water birds. Cut your line if you can’t control the bird enough to extract the hook. Use your landing net to subdue the bird, but watch out for the sharp beak. They will go for your eyes if you bring them within reach. At the minimum, they can put a hole in your hand or your craft. [/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Turtles. If you hook one, be careful of their bite while you are extracting the hook.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Bears and alligators. Don’t even think about tubing or tooning in any water where there is the likelihood of an encounter with either of these critters. Use a boat. A BIG boat.[/font][/size][/li][/ol]
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[#0000ff]Here is a copy and paste of some words from my book chapter on Comfort and Safety:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[font "Times New Roman"]WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS: [/font]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Fishermen are not the only creatures that like to hang out around the water. Very few species of birds, mammals and/or reptiles turn down the opportunity to take up residence near a lake or stream. Many of these critters merely add to the pleasure of a day upon the water. Just seeing them enhances the enjoyment of the trip.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There are plenty of the other kind, though. We have nothing to fear from birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks. However, a few water birds, like gulls, grebes and cormorants, are potentially dangerous when accidentally hooked. They have sharp beaks and a nasty disposition. When attached to a line they can poke holes in both you and your craft. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There aren’t too many mammals you need to watch out for. Obviously we want to avoid skunks, which hunt along the edges of lakes and streams. You need to be especially watchful when hiking to and from the water, especially in the dark. Skunks are not timid. They are prone to stand their ground and they have a powerful defense.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The danger of bears, lions or other dangerous carnivores is not much of a factor, except perhaps in Glacier Park or some waters in British Columbia and Alaska. The greatest danger from animals comes from packing your tube across a field guarded by a farmer’s bull…or protective cows with calves. Nasty dogs can be hazardous too. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Reptiles are an important consideration. Snakes are at the top of the list. Nobody likes snakes. Lots of snakes like the water, and some of them are venomous. The worst customer, in many southern states, is the water moccasin. It is common in and on many waters and it can be aggressive. If you hike the banks, going to or from fishing, you can also encounter copperheads or rattlesnakes. It’s a good idea to watch carefully and to avoid any snake you see.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Although, neither copperheads or rattlers spend a lot of time in the water, they both swim well when they want to or need to. If you don’t stay in touch with what is going on around you at all times, you might belatedly discover one trying to climb up onto your craft with you. [/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Alligators are another type of potentially dangerous reptile. Big ones are to be avoided at any cost. Smaller ones are usually more timid, but can still inflict some damage. It’s never a good idea to launch in waters that are known alligator habitat, unless you have a big boat with high sides.[/font][/size]
[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]The final mention in the reptile department, as potential hazards for flotation fishermen, are turtles. The most dangerous is the alligator snapper. Although they get to be huge, large ones are seldom seen anymore, due to over fishing. These babies can take off a finger, quick as a
. If you see them, avoid them. And, don’t attract them with stringers of fish hanging over the side.[/font][/size] [font "Times New Roman"][size 3] [/size][/font] [size 3][font "Times New Roman"]PREVENTION & REMEDIES: [/font][/size] [ol] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Include a wading staff in your accessories. This can double as a “whacking stick”, to fend off or dispatch encroaching critters. Use it to first push intruders away. If that doesn’t discourage them, then use some “applied psychology”.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Poisonous snakes. Stay away from them. If your passion for fishing outweighs your common sense, then at least go prepared. In addition to a “whacking stick”, carry a small caliber pistol (where legal) loaded with shot shells…”snake loads”. Don’t shoot at every snake you see. Employ the gun only as a final measure to keep dangerous snakes from joining you in your craft, if they become insistent.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Snake bite. Get out of the water and seek immediate help. Don’t try cutting and sucking or any of the old mumbo jumbo. Leave your tackle and your craft if you need to, and get to a hospital for qualified medical attention. If you get there promptly, your chances for survival are usually good.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Hooked water birds. Cut your line if you can’t control the bird enough to extract the hook. Use your landing net to subdue the bird, but watch out for the sharp beak. They will go for your eyes if you bring them within reach. At the minimum, they can put a hole in your hand or your craft. [/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Turtles. If you hook one, be careful of their bite while you are extracting the hook.[/font][/size][/li] [li][size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Bears and alligators. Don’t even think about tubing or tooning in any water where there is the likelihood of an encounter with either of these critters. Use a boat. A BIG boat.[/font][/size][/li][/ol]
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