[Paddlewise] Lightening and Gators

The recent discussion of lightening, with side comments about gators,
prompts an often overlooked advisory for the blackwater paddlers in the
south. We have pointed out that "lightening season" seems to correspond
with "paddling season" and the discussion has been interesting. However,
May and June are the months that gators "come into season". When that
happens, those normally reclusive beasts can get pretty testy.

During the first phase of the period, the bulls are trying to show
dominance and can be very aggressive toward other things in *their*
territory. They will attack boats if those boats are in their claimed
area. And it's not just us little boats - news reports of attacks on big
bass boats aren't uncommon. Once the territory is claimed, the bulls get
lusty and woo lady gators, and they don't want you around for that
either. After mating, the bulls stop caring, but the females are very
protective of their nests and, later, of their young.
 
Normally, a gator will try to get out of your way and we enjoy seeing
them in the water with us. This time of year, it's best to cut a wide
path and avoid them completely when you can.

A couple of years ago, we lived in a river cottage on the St Johns
River, south of Jacksonville, FL. One day we were fishing off the end of
our dock in an 8' (yes, eight) "BassHunter" which is basically a two
person plastic pontoon with seats. We hadn't been there long when a 12'
gator surfaced, opened his mouth wide and hissed right in my wife's
face. We got the message and headed to shore quickly. The old bull
patrolled that spot for several hours, cruising back and forth, making
sure we didn't return. That's an experience which will be in our
memories forever, and we hope to keep it *only* a memory. Unfortunately,
"Ol' Wally" was killed a few months later about a mile down river after
he adopted a family's yard - the 12' length was *not* a product of our
fear. Although he gave us quite a scare, we were sorry to see he had
been killed - he was absolutely regal gliding through the water on his
daily patrol and we missed him.

Anyway, as you're paddling the bayous, rivers and lakes of the south,
don't forget to keep an eye out for gators while you watch the weather. 

Kurt
Lake City, FL

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