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Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:46 am
by cj125
If that were me, even if the gator chilled there and never moved once while observing it, I would not chance sinking near it. If it decides to make a move and you are eye level with it in the mud, you are at the complete mercy of a predator and that probably won’t go well for you.

As much as it sucks to say, it might be best to abandon the spot.

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:42 am
by TK421
cj125 wrote:If that were me, even if the gator chilled there and never moved once while observing it, I would not chance sinking near it. If it decides to make a move and you are eye level with it in the mud, you are at the complete mercy of a predator and that probably won’t go well for you.

As much as it sucks to say, it might be best to abandon the spot.



^This. Gators are not just well known ambush predators but they are also opportunistic hunters. While we may not be on the menu (Well, not supposed to be anyways), they are also known to be highly territorial. Even if only waist level in mud, you're leaving things to chance. I can just about promise you that an adolescent gator can swim or even crawl faster than you can pull yourself out and that is just counting the one that you can see ;) .

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:15 pm
by Black Clay Lord
I'm in agreement with the others. Best to avoid the spot if gators are present.

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:32 pm
by Fred588
Its not completely relevant to the immediate topic but about five years ago we were filming a night scene at the Studio clay pit, when the model looked to one side and was startled - terrified would be a more accurate term for a few minutes - by the glowing eyes of a Possum looking at her from behind some bushes not more than eight feet away.

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:17 am
by Mynock
How big a Gator?

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:50 pm
by Duncan Edwards
A handful of firecrackers solves all wildlife issues for a while. Critters don't like them. Even 'gators.

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:05 am
by TK421
Duncan Edwards wrote:A handful of firecrackers solves all wildlife issues for a while. Critters don't like them. Even 'gators.


So now we know what your other job was (in addition to the other hats you wore) while shooting with Dave :D :lol:

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:00 pm
by Duncan Edwards
TK421 wrote:
Duncan Edwards wrote:A handful of firecrackers solves all wildlife issues for a while. Critters don't like them. Even 'gators.


So now we know what your other job was (in addition to the other hats you wore) while shooting with Dave :D :lol:


Yes, critter dispersal was one of very many hats I wore at various times. Out of all that though, Dave still got stuck with 98% of the work. :mrgreen:

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:17 pm
by Fred588
One of the more interesting critter-related things, here at least, is the frequent morning discovery of a six-inch-wide, curved track across the peat pit, and sometimes across the clay also. Apparently many of the local testudines are quicksanders, along with the Ranidae

Re: Wildlife while scouting.

Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 11:02 pm
by Duncan Edwards
Fred588 wrote:One of the more interesting critter-related things, here at least, is the frequent morning discovery of a six-inch-wide, curved track across the peat pit, and sometimes across the clay also. Apparently many of the local testudines are quicksanders, along with the Ranidae


Interesting because some dinner plate sized testudines at Camp MPV used to do the same thing. :mrgreen: