Quicksand Fans

Two separate queries for the forum.

1. I’m heading to south Florida towards the end of the year. Is it even worth looking for mud there or are gators and other dangerous animals/insects too prevalent there?

2. Was looking around central Missouri on the maps and noticed a lot of seemingly great conservation areas along the Missouri River and it’s tributaries. Has anyone gone? Are they as appealing as they look? Would be tempted to plan a trip if I knew it would be worth it.

Ive been in south Florida since 1978.
You probably could find reasonably safe places to sink, but finding them could take considerable time.
The risks if encountering wildlife or some nasty critter IS significant. Ive heard Florida be called " the Australia of America"...if that tells you anything.
Since you brought up gators, I will use them for an example...5 years ago, the gator population in my county and the two adjoining ones exceeded 45000. It is likely that the number is higher now.
Its a common saying here that if you see any body of water, theres a gator in it.
There are venemous snakes to consider, most of the top poisonous spiders, scorpions, bobcat, bear, boars and panthers to consider as well.
Ive been sinking locally once since 2002. While i was fortunate enough to avoid all the nasties, it was hard to enjoy because there is so much submerged vegetation, logs, branches and such.
I had one occasion many years ago where my left leg sank to calf deep and i couldnt extract it. As i labored to get it out, a wild boar, unaware of me, emerged from the woodline. It stood six feet down from me, upwind. It left without incident. .Im estimating it weighed 120 pounds, not huge for the species...had it attacked, it would have been very bad for me.
I recommend extreme caution ( read; if you dont know someone that has knowledge of a safe place like a quarry, reconsider looking ). Even if you never sink, all the risks are in the hike to get to it and back.
Hope this helps. Sorry to be a killjoy.

No, that’s totally fine, thanks for the response! Better read that here than experience it without knowing what I’m getting myself into. Kinda assumed south Florida might be like that. Just out of curiosity, is northern Florida the same?

Its ablittle morr forgiving...tidal flats in the Jacksonville/ St Augustine area are supposed to be good. Threats there include the tide itself and hidden oysters

I live in Jacksonville. There is amazingly deep and thick tidal mud out here with plenty of places for privacy. Oyster beds are an issue, but if you're wearing a pair of water shoes or boots, you should be fine. I've never had any issues with wildlife outside of a couple snakes during the summer,. It's been a bit chilly the past week or so, but not unbearable and the mud underneath the surface has been pretty warm.

I hope you are not considering looking in Missouri at this time of year. I am 90 miles SOUTH of the Missouri line (in Arkansas) and this morning the temperature was 16F. The mud might be a bit TOO thick right now.

enerj29 wrote:Two separate queries for the forum.

1. I’m heading to south Florida towards the end of the year. Is it even worth looking for mud there or are gators and other dangerous animals/insects too prevalent there?

2. Was looking around central Missouri on the maps and noticed a lot of seemingly great conservation areas along the Missouri River and it’s tributaries. Has anyone gone? Are they as appealing as they look? Would be tempted to plan a trip if I knew it would be worth it.

Won’t be near Jacksonville, but as someone who has never lived near the coast, what are the dangers of oysters? Are the shells pretty rough and hidden in the mud?

Not planning to go to Missouri now by any means. But saw what looks like some nice wildlife conservation areas in cenrtral Missouri on the maps and was wondering if anyone had actually visited.

Oysters will slice the crap out of your feet and ankles

Good to know, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all. Thanks for the FL tips, if I ever go to Jacksonville I will keep that in mind.

Has anyone gone sinking in the Missouri mud in the summer? Saw what looked like some great wildlife conservation type parks online, but curious what they’re actually like.