Re: [Paddlewise] Yum Yum Yellow

My initial posting re the three "effs" brought on some "interesting" 
responses.  I believe someone took offense to my "man" (read scientists) 
line.  I believe he was a Bulldog and just cannot tolerate any sentence with 
the word Gator.  At any rate, I sensed a genuine concern from Sandy about 
paddling with gators.  Here would be my thumbnail suggestions for gator 
etiquette which I am sure a number of people will disagree with.  But first 
the credentials.  Experience, experience, experience.  From September till 
June, I paddle the backwaters of North Central Florida.  I try to paddle 
three times a week.  On some of the smaller creeks the gators are quite close 
and often rather surprised to see humans.  My primary focus while on these 
trips is nature observation.  I am an outfitter but I never lead groups 
larger than four.  My first concern is for the natural world not the 
manufactured one.  When the local tourism gurus caught on to the buzz of 
Ecotourism, I became involved with the citizens advisory board.  My spot was 
on the ethics committee.  When I realized that promotion was the focus and 
not protection of resources I withdrew my participation.  The gurus wanted me 
to reveal my paddling spots in order to create a slick glossy brochure that 
would attract millions.  My response was this, "Telling you where my paddling 
spots are is like being fifteen years old and telling everybody what a good 
kisser your girlfriend is, after two weeks they are all agreeing with you."  
So these are my credentials, I have made a life choice to forgoe fortune in 
order to more fully appreciate the natural world around me.
 This is some of what I know about gators and the three "effs."
 If gators are present, you are in their world.  Respect them.
 Food-Opportunistic feeders.  Don't eat daily or on schedule.  If you are 
smaller than them, you look like food.  Most gators that you will see are in 
the 6-8 foot range and don't want much to do with a 16 foot boat.  They 
probably assume that you are there to eat them.
 Family-if you see little ones 12-20 inches, a bigger one is nearby.  Best to 
observe from a safe distance 40-50 feet.
Let's say the third "eff" has something to do with reproduction.  This is the 
easiest as like most animals it is a springtime thing.
 I am sorry if I cannot cite page or volume numbers as these are things that 
I just know.
 I think that most fears relating to natural situations are irrational and 
simply the result of man's disconnection with nature.  I also believe that 
the reason many people paddle is because of a heightened sense of being one 
with nature when they paddle.(particularly solo) Which is why I am an 
outfitter.  I try to guide people on the path to nature appreciation which 
fosters the caretaker mentality.(which is very good for the world in general)
 I apologize in advance to anyone who misinterprets this as a commercial.  
That is not the spirit in which it is intended.
And now that I have laid bare my soul in this embarrassingly long post, I 
would ask a question of the Paddlewisers.  How do you feel about the 
explosion of this activity and does it detract from your reason for paddling?
 Once again, free apologies,
 Bruce D. McCutcheon
 Whole Earth Outfitters
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