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Near Bastrop (Austin area) last week a man fatally shot an alligator that was over 11 feet long and some 20 to 30 years old. Bastrop is over 150 miles from the ocean and not a place where alligators are often seen.

The alleged poacher then boasted about his deed on Facebook. The case is being investigated by Texas Parks and Wildlife, but no charges have been brought.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/weird/ ... ormal-Size" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.statesman.com/sports/outdoor ... 10004.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

According to the latter article, poaching is a class C misdemeanor, but civil penalties in this case could exceed $5,000.

- Jim

Does shooting = poaching?

Grog wrote:Does shooting = poaching?

Illegal hunting = Poaching

Killing a wild animal out of season or without a license or permit is poaching. In this case they can also pile on the charge of wasting game (Parks and Wildlife Code Sec. 62.011).

BTW, Section 62 defines a number of offenses that people may not be aware of.

- Jim

TPW should set an example for all scofflaws, past, present and future, to ponder as their cellmate gives them the eye.

What does the ocean have to do with alligators? Alligators can be found anywhere near swampy areas, lakes, or large ponds. I live much further than 150 miles from the ocean and it is not rare to see an alligator.

jmra wrote:What does the ocean have to do with alligators? Alligators can be found anywhere near swampy areas, lakes, or large ponds. I live much further than 150 miles from the ocean and it is not rare to see an alligator.

I know that's right. Mrs. Oldgringo, Boo (our kitty) and I spent three or so days at Hunstville SP last spring and photographed a gator from our boat in the park's Lake Raven that had to be at least 9 feet long.

So if a gator is waltzing up my driveway and I shoot it, have I done something illegal?
Am I supposed to let it eat my dog, or a child before I can fire?

I'd be please to send him over to the neighbor for a snack....

RoyGBiv wrote:So if a gator is waltzing up my driveway and I shoot it, have I done something illegal?
Am I supposed to let it eat my dog, or a child before I can fire?

Apparently gators' have rights too.

RoyGBiv wrote:So if a gator is waltzing up my driveway and I shoot it, have I done something illegal?
Am I supposed to let it eat my dog, or a child before I can fire?

Obviously, you can protect yourself/children/pets against an attack/imminent attack, but IF there is no immediate danger (and you better be able to prove it), then leave the gator alone and call the TPWD.

Alligators (in Texas) are one of the most heavily regulated animals. There are many restrictions...and some hefty fines that can be assessed.

Some Alligator info:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wi ... ndex.phtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... 0_0162.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... 0_1011.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RoyGBiv wrote:So if a gator is waltzing up my driveway and I shoot it, have I done something illegal?
Am I supposed to let it eat my dog, or a child before I can fire?

I'd be please to send him over to the neighbor for a snack....

Waltzing? Go inside. Running at you? Would not be much different than shooting a coyote that was trying to attack you dog.

Other than self-defense, most gators attack from the cover of water.

Would a .40 JHP slow down a gator?
I think I'm running for cover, if that option is available.

Serpentine, Shelly.... Serpentine.. !!

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We have a few gators in the lakes in the DFW area. Always makes me think twice about that late-night swim!

RoyGBiv wrote:Would a .40 JHP slow down a gator?
I think I'm running for cover, if that option is available.

You would have to get a CNS (Central Nervous System) shot on a gator to get a "stop". That is not to say...the gator might not be turned or decide to give up the chase...if hit, but less than a CNS shot is unlikely to stop a committed attack.

Also, if the gator is close (10 yds. or less) you aren't going to outrun it (they are fast over short distances), so make sure that the "cover" you are seeking is close by.

An option to seeking cover...is to have someone slower than you nearby. (This works for Wild Hogs too BTW).

flintknapper wrote:An option to seeking to cover...is to have someone slower than you nearby. (This works for Wild Hogs too BTW).

This reminds me of a story about two guys hiking in the woods and they come across a bear. After seeing the bear, one of the guys sits down on a log, takes off his hiking boots, reaches into his backpack and takes out a pair of running shoes. As he is lacing up his shoes the other guy looks at him and says, "What are you doing? You can't outrun that bear!". He looks up at his friend and smiles, "No, but I can outrun you!"