Panic over gator attacks?

[dixieangler]

Fox news is running with it. Journalistic sensationalism=no journalistic responsibility to the public for the facts. This happens on every network, not just Fox. Something must be done about the gator attacks.....right now! Result=folks killing gators (against Florida State Law without a permit by the way). The perceived panic is unfounded by the numbers.

[url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,195447,00.html:bfdd9]Gators Kill 3 in a Week[/url:bfdd9]

If the article is carefully read,

Suarez's death was the 18th confirmed fatal alligator attack in Florida since 1948.

By the numbers, not that drastic of a crisis considering how many people are either moving into or are already in Florida. More folks living with gators=more confrontations. I would probably have a better chance of getting hit by a car while crossing the street or getting killed by a doctor's botched medical surgery than getting bit by a gator. By the numbers.

"There are some things that can cause alligators to associate people with feeding opportunities," Morse said.

The signs say "Don't feed the Bears" up north and out west. Same here in the south. Don't feed the gators and don't feed the bears. Maybe the FWC should invest in posting signs on all waters since most folks seem to be ignorant of the state laws (ignorance of the law is no excuse). Both in the north and the south, feeding these animals is against the law because it kills people. Bottomline.

The article fails to mention if the gators were being fed but its a good bet.

Didn't that TV commercial where the guy throws the fish to the bear in the road get to you? It was not at all funny to me. Talk about teaching folks to break the law.

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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 15 May 2006).]

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Robert,

You make some good points on the gator
problems. Here in SC, problems have been
few, however, I can easily discern that many
gators are losing thier natural fear of
humans here. Even large mature gators seem
unconcerned and sometimes curious of my
presence. It was not many years ago that
one really had to look hard and exercise
great stealth to get a good look at a wild
alligator. Not so now, perhaps to the
feeding and encroachment on thier habitat.
Odds are very much in favor of increased
confrontations. Eventually, I suspect the
gators will pay the price in large numbers
killed for the irresponsibility of a few
thoughtless people. Warm regards, Jim

[dixieangler]

Yeah, Jim. I hear you. The media is not helping the situation at all by inciting panic.


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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[parrotheadcrb]

Its just Newtons law evOlution.

Law #1: If to slow to outrun mighty gator must not wrestle or play in and around them.

Law #2: It doesnt matter if you know the stove is hot the stupid ones have to touch it for themselves. Signs are to protect the inquisitive people who might consider feeding but them realize what can happen.

Law #3: Most old people in the country and hungry gators dont mix.


Hey Dixie, I got you some feathers on the way to Florida. PLease dont entice the gators with them.

[dixieangler]

Thanks, Charlie. Looks like I'm going to have to start carrying a picture of an ugly broad to flash at the gators to scare them away . Apparently my fishing buddy and me aren't ugly enough to scare them off . They move off real slow these days (lately). Further proof that they are getting more comfortable with people around (not good) . But at least they are moving off . The big boys though aren't scared of anything when they get that big.


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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[GILs_GONE_WILD]

dixieangler,

By the numbers ...

... I would think that "3 in a week" is quite drastic since there's only been 15 deaths since 1948 until this "3 in a week".

Not counting the current "3", that rounds out real close to about 1 death by gator for every 4 years but now we have "3 in a week"!?

Hmmm ... what's your criteria for "drastic"? Just curious.

Gil

p.s. The media HAS to hype this up to get it into the skulls of the masses that it is mating season and later on, baby gators will hatch and momma gator will get really stoopid should you get near them.

[dixieangler]

FL_SKIBUM,

Only 18 deaths by gators in 58 years out of the however many millions of people in Florida (2004 census was at 17,397,161) is not a drastic situation but media incited panic is. The public needs to be "informed", not panicked. You are apparently looking at the short term but I am looking at the long term numbers which are extremely low given the amount of people living in Florida. Even short term, the numbers are low (excluding the one week) again, given such a large population.

Even the FWC backs up the numbers.
[url=http://myfwc.com/gators/faq/lwa.htm:7f2e3]http://myfwc.com/gators/faq/lwa.htm[/url:7f2e3]

Another article on the gator attacks.
[url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/15/us/15cnd-gator.html?hp&ex=1147752000&en=8c36c7ec6c97c213&ei =5094&partner=homepage:7f2e3]In Florida, More People, More Gators, More Attacks[/url:7f2e3]

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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 15 May 2006).]

[old geezer]

You keep the gators and I'll enjoy Bliss with no gators . no snakes, no critters, except fish to catch. Snapping turtle once in a while, thats it.
I miss the SkiBum Hopin to see ya Gil with the women.

Philip

[Mohawk16]

Sam Crutchfield is a well known writer/sportsman in Ft. Pierce , Fla.
[url=http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/04/27/fl/lake_okeechobee/aok02.txt:c053d]http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/04/27/fl/lake_okeechobee/aok02.txt[/url:c053d]

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GOD BLESS AMERICA
USMC - VIETNAM VET

[dixieangler]

Yep. From what I have read, there are supposed to be over 1,000 gators in Lake Istokpoga alone. The problem on Istokpoga with the poor fishing has already been discussed and is known in Highlands County (hopefully by the county commission and the lakes association in addition to the water management folks). The lake has been sprayed with chemicals for invasive weeds and plants but the problem is that many of the aquatic weeds and plants where the baitfish and other fish food sources hide and use for cover is gone. So the fish food sources are not being able to replentish themselves due to the removal of the weeds and plants they use for cover (protection). I would not doubt that gators are starting to eat each other and do things they normally would not do after the fishing has fallen off due to this problem (domino effect on the food chain). Thanks for the article, Mohawk16.

Related articles and links on Lake Istokpoga

[url=http://www.highlandsswcd.org/everything/current%20events/istokpoga%20water%20quality%20evaluation.htm:f334b]Istokpoga Water Quality Evaluation[/url:f334b]

[url=http://highlands.tbo.com/sports/MGBSAU7SVJE.html:f334b]Is Lake Istokpoga Endangered?[/url:f334b]

[url=http://www.highlandsswcd.org/everything/lake_summaries/istokpoga.htm:f334b]Istokpoga[/url:f334b]

There are actually two boat ramps, one at the north end and the one at the south end (shown).
[url=http://www.htn.net/lplacid/lakes/Istokpoga.htm:f334b]Istokpoga[/url:f334b]

[url=http://friendsofistokpoga.homestead.com/:f334b]Friends of Istokpoga[/url:f334b]

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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL

"Flip a fly"

[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 15 May 2006).]