Caught my first one

[k0ua]

As bugs bunny would say "what a maroon"...

 

[Shaneard]

I took our son fishing 2 Sundays ago. We were fishing with live worms. We were casting 5-6 foot from the bank catching small brim and bass. We had been there about 30 minutes and as soon as my worm hit the water it went under and my rod bent. I thought it was a large bass, turns out it was a snapping turtle about 18" across. Got him to the edge of the bank almost out of the water and my line broke. The landowner was standing there with us and said "I wish I had my rifle" I said I have my pistol but it was too late. 20 minutes later our son caught it (he's 7), I said give your rod to Ernest, Ernest got him almost to the bank and the hook straightened out, I shot and missed. It all happened quick and when I saw his rod fly back it was too late but I shot anyway.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

As bugs bunny would say "what a maroon"...

You got that right. I'd be surprised if his hand didn't rot off after that. Turtles are anything but sterile; even the ones sold as pets or for the aquarium. Friend of a friend running a trot line; instead of pulling the fish in the boat, had a habit of running his hand down the staging line and lifting the fish into the boat that way...until he hooked a big snapper. It grabbed his hand between the thumb and forefinger; had to cut off the turtle's head to get him loose.

 

[ruffdog]

Even Chuck Berry warned people about those snappin' turtles when he sang "My Ding-a-Ling". Be careful swimming across Turtle Creek! Enjoy and smile!

 

[k0ua]

You got that right. I'd be surprised if his hand didn't rot off after that. Turtles are anything but sterile; even the ones sold as pets or for the aquarium. Friend of a friend running a trot line; instead of pulling the fish in the boat, had a habit of running his hand down the staging line and lifting the fish into the boat that way...until he hooked a big snapper. It grabbed his hand between the thumb and forefinger; had to cut off the turtle's head to get him loose.

An antibiotic shot and topical cleaning sterilization would be in order.

 

[oldballs]

When I was a kid, we ate "turtle soup". As I recall, it was pretty good. We also ate squirrel, rabbit, duck and goose, none of which i eat anymore.

 

[Shaneard]

Smallest snapping turtle I’ve ever seen I found it deer hunting a couple years ago. It was dead already.

 

[TractorGuy]

We have a controversial turtle tunnel to save them from crossing Hwy 27. I personally knew and worked with the grad student that got it passed and built.

Unusual News - The Case in Favor of a $3 Million Turtle Tunnel - AllGov - News

 

[Steppenwolfe]

As I've gotten older, I've gotten a lot softer. Generally pick up turtles and move them if they are in the middle of the road as long as it's safe given the road.

Always moving box turtles, but this guy had me perplexed because he was so small and color. Never really come across them, last one was last year when we moved one off the road (VERY carfeully) when we were out on a walk last year sometime.

View attachment 608674

That's pretty cool. I have seen two snapping turtles along our creeks in the last 7 years. I always thought of them belonging in a pond, but I guess not. I always leave them alone. We also have tons of eastern box turtles... cute little buggers.

 

[MossRoad]

Eastern box turtles are getting rare around here. We used to see several each summer. I've only seen two in the last 20 years.

Last summer we were hiking in Missouri and found a three-toed box turtle. That was cool. It could pull all the way into its shell and close the door! :laughing: