Kayaking with Gator

Gators love to eat cajuns.

Gators love to eat cajuns.

Apparently he didn't have much of a sweet tooth on that particular day

In my vast experience with gator, this is the first big one that has surfaced next to the boat. I usually don't see them again at all once they disappear. However, the little ones will sometimes pester me alongside the kayak. Little, as in less than 7 feet. My kayak is only 9.5 feet and I'm right on the water, so it can definately be intimidating being around these sizable creatures.

There are no guarantees out there.

Apparently he didn't have much of a sweet tooth on that particular day

In my vast experience with gator, this is the first big one that has surfaced next to the boat. I usually don't see them again at all once they disappear. However, the little ones will sometimes pester me alongside the kayak. Little, as in less than 7 feet. My kayak is only 9.5 feet and I'm right on the water, so it can definately be intimidating being around these sizable creatures.

There are no guarantees out there.

You live life dangerously. There is no way I'd be in a kayak in that swamp water around all of those big gators. They almost turned you over. Great video footage though.

'sonuva' is right.skeery.

One would have freaked me out, but there was a whole family of them out there! You could have been their lunch! (very cool though on film!)

from the looks of that berm where the big one was and its reaction to you, it probably was a "she".

That was great. I saw a pretty big gator in Tucker Bayou early this morning. He went under and came back up one time. Also saw a raccoon on the bank nearby, seemed odd to see him out there in full light with a gator not far away.

Thank you for sharing....your videos are VERY cool!!

Regarding the 'sex' of the big one, I'd guess it was a male because of its size, but hey, I'm no expert. If I were back in Louisiana I would be in a particular bayou system where, in my kayak, I could easily spot well over 100 on any given day. I never shot video at that time but wish I would have some of that footage.

It seems like you guys are interested in gator. I actually love my snake videos a bit more but maybe that's because I am use to seeing so, so many gator in Louisiana. Part of my quest is still to get a great big Eastern Diamondback on film. Right now I'm hurting from all of my recent walking and the head cold that seems to be accompanying my efforts. I may go out in my kayak and try to see some more gator tomorrow.

I do get afraid and nevous and do get school girl shills sometimes when I'm out there. I've studied about gators and interestingly, almost all the attacks and deaths from gator occur here in Florida. And I have read that they are more prone to go after someone in a kayak than in other craft. It may be due to the craft being so low to the water. If you think about it, physically, all they see is a small frame, your upper body.

The other problem is that even zoomed all the way with my camera(I only have a 3 times zoom) I have to get right on the damn thing to have an effective filming. If I can be stealthy and sneek up on them I can get a good shot. Preferably, I can get up close and then get out on land and shoot some film.

I brought my bass boat back to Louisiana, when I was thinking about moving back, but I still have my kayak here. You know, I may look into getting a roommate to offset my expenses. Then I could take a few excursions and not leave behind such a high monthly bill for this place. My darn account is so, so down from my not working consistently. Should I be surprised? lol

Btw, I'd love to get some mammal footage of a coyote or deer. But again, with my zoom capability I'd need to be within 30 or 40 feet to get any kind of a shot. A stand in a good spot might be the ticket. Anyway, thanks for all the responses.

That was great. I saw a pretty big gator in Tucker Bayou early this morning. He went under and came back up one time. Also saw a raccoon on the bank nearby, seemed odd to see him out there in full light with a gator not far away.

Where is Tucker bayou? I was thinking of maybe paddling Black creek in hopes of seeing some gator. That seems like a good place to spot some. I've paddled it before and remember seeing a few, but nothing in great numbers. Now would be a good time of year though, so I guess I'll give it a try.

I've seen only a few in the dune lakes and they're usually skitish like turtles who scatter off in quick fashion.

If anyone can suggest a great place to paddle to see numbers of gator, please advise. I really have mostly kept my adventures on 30-A since moving here. I thought of going up Peach Creek also but don't remember seeing any gator there when I've gone.

thanks Mike...keep'em comin'!

You could try Black Creek and near the shipyard (Mallett Bayou?) in Freeport. I can remember seeing a bunch while boating up that way.

Thank you, Mike, for another wonderful video! Those gators were HUGE!

Love the Hampton Inn in the background. Kind of fun to think about all the people staying there who have no idea that "Gatorland" is right behind them.

crazy. I'm just shaking my head.

U crazy

I always enjoy " Mike's Walks"but this last one was something else.
Mister you are "loco", please take care so that we can enjoy more of your trips.
Thanks

In this episode of 'Another Walk with Mike' we'll actually travel by kayak and not by foot. And we'll kayak with the Big Reptile... the American Alligator.

This encounter came after I returned my little prizes to their mother and knew of some gator near Daphne, Alabama where the highway bridge meets dry land. You can view these gator from the bridge while coming from Mobile to Daphne. I decided to get a closer look.

I was almost toppled. In the video, which I had to edit due to an expletive that shot out of my mouth, by accident of course. A huge gator had just entered the water and I was filming its wake when suddenly, I looked down and he was eye ball to eye ball with me, less than a foot from my kayak. I inadvertently said, "Oh ----" and I guess the gator had the same reaction and split in a hurry.

The water was muddy and it is very uncommon for a big gator to surface close to your water craft. It happens all the time with the smaller gator. Luckily, when he thrust down under, his body did not contact my kayak, but he did send plenty of water onto me and into my kayak. It was a close call to be toppled as even just in his submergence my kayak was dancing on the surface.


YouTube - Kayaking with Gator

Thank you, Mike, for another wonderful video! Those gators were HUGE!

Love the Hampton Inn in the background. Kind of fun to think about all the people staying there who have no idea that "Gatorland" is right behind them.

Yes, isn't it interesting how close to 'civilization' wildlife can get. I remember the first time I realized how many coyote were amongst us all. As far as danger though, or being loco, that was funny, you guys make me think I'm doing something dangerous.

I remember the same reaction in Louisiana when a big boat stopped me to ask if I was okay, wondering if I were lost becaue I was about to get into an area that was swarming with gator and was only in my kayak. But what people don't understand is that I work out.

Seriously though, I just don't feel in much danger. Not anymore than driving on most highways. With the snakes my biggest chance of getting bitten is as I'm walking, which is no different than anyone else. When I'm photographing them they will invariably try to get away. I had a few strike at me in these videos, but I've worked something out where I don't get quite as close now. I sometimes hold my camera out on a stick for the extreme close ups.

Regarding the gator, I am a little worried about that, I must admit. But I have been right over a 15 footer, and it was big, big around and nearly crossed the Louisiana bayou I was in. Probably my most intimidating moment in my 9.5 foot kayak. But yes, that gator there in Daphne was the closest a big one has come to my kayak. The only way something bad would have happened is if it had tipped me over and I'd landed on him. He may have bitten out of a reaction or its tail, which would have been a more realistic problem, could have hit my head, knocked me out, and without a lifevest I'd have drowned.

My biggest problem, as I've noted, is my camera is only a 3 times zoom which is rediculous. I need to get very, very close to have any kind of adeqaute shot. It is an underwater camera though so the cost was higher and I got less of a camera for the price, but with underwater capability. I was losing too many cameras and phones because of my propensity of being in the vicinity of water.

I read about this guy one time who was creating a 'suit' that could withstand almost anything. He wanted to take it out in the wild and have a grizzly attack him. They make chain suits for people swimming with shark. There are snake boots and chaps for walking in snake infested terrain. I wish I had some snake boots and chaps. The boots are maybe 150 bucks and the chaps, I don't remember, maybe under $100. It would help me to walk through areas that are thick, whereas now I have to stop all the time and retrace my steps all the time.

We'll see what today holds. I'm hungry now. Let me check my fridge for gator ;-)

Re Tucker Bayou - it is the body of water alongside Point Washington. Many mistakenly think that is still Choctawhatchee Bay, but it isn't. Tucker Bayou shoots off from the eastern end of the bay, just south of the "entrance" of the Intracoastal. Peach Creek is an offshoot of Tucker Bayou.

Although we had a couple of good-size gators in the canal behind my house when the water was high a couple of weeks ago, I think they have moved on. If I was actively looking for an alligator, I would go to Jolly Bay and "south mouth" - the areas where Black Creek and the Choctawhatchee River empty in to the bay. Very close to Bunker.

Re Tucker Bayou - it is the body of water alongside Point Washington. Many mistakenly think that is still Choctawhatchee Bay, but it isn't. Tucker Bayou shoots off from the eastern end of the bay, just south of the "entrance" of the Intracoastal. Peach Creek is an offshoot of Tucker Bayou.

Although we had a couple of good-size gators in the canal behind my house when the water was high a couple of weeks ago, I think they have moved on. If I was actively looking for an alligator, I would go to Jolly Bay and "south mouth" - the areas where Black Creek and the Choctawhatchee River empty in to the bay. Very close to Bunker.

Thanks. I went to Black Creek today, briefly, as I am hurting right now. If gas prices and vehicle wear and tear wasn't an issue I'd head back to South Louisiana and make a video that would make people's head spin. The amount of gator there is unreal. I know parts of Florida are that way too. But the concentration of areas in Louisiana is amazing. Actually, the area you're referring to, I've been in before and it looks exactly like Louisiana.

If I can get my body to feel rejuvinated I may head to St. Vincent island, near Appalachicola, in the next few days. I don't know. In making a drive like that I'd like to make it at least a two day event to get bang for the buck, which will require some planning and for my body to be up to two days of 6 to 7 hours of hiking each day. I've kinda messed things up by being a little too rugged in my hiking techniques. The other day I had my ankle and feet and legs bleeding as I walked because I kept getting snagged on vines with thorns that would not release. My hips, back, neck (from constatly looking down for snakes) knees and internal mechanics are asking for a rest.

I saw a neat apparatus for hiking (don't know if it is any good) but that attaches to your waist and angles down to a wheel behind you as you hike. You put your pack on the part going down, which reduces the weight load on your body. Anyway, not really applicable here, but it is something I will look into for future hikes in areas like Arches, Yellwostone, Yosemite or maybe the Appalacian trail. Now that would make for a nice episode.

Btw, I watched a video on the Florida Trail, which starts in Big Cypress down in the Everglades area and proceeds to Pensacola, taking a few routes. It passes through St. Marks and Eglin. A lot of retired volunteers have helped to make the trail a reality. I like when people do things that matter to them, when they want to leave a mark or be part of something bigger than themselves.

Honestly, that has been part of the fun in mkaing the videos. I have seen so many amazing sites over the years of my explorations. I've often remarked about sigts seen, that National Geographic would have jumped all over video of my experiences. Well, now I'm kinda doing something about that.

My 94 year old granddad was an adventurous sort and I'd love to let him see some of these videos. He isn't the computer type at his age. I know he'd love to take a trip from Dawsonville down to Okefenokee with me. I wonder if I could make that happen. He's an active sort, shooting trap 3 to 4 times a week. But he's given up hiking in the woods because he says things reach up and grab his feet, making him fall too often. But I wonder...

Mike, are you an lsu fan, www.emeraldcoastbayoubengals.com...are you in our chapter?

Mike, are you an lsu fan, www.emeraldcoastbayoubengals.com...are you in our chapter?

Big, big LSU fan. My friends B and Terri go to your events but as of now I'm not a member. I think I saw you guys were having a crawfish boil. I looked into it but didn't see a ticket price.

The SEC was down last year, in my opinion, including LSU. Florida was the only strong team, whereas we usually have at least 3 or 4 titans. I sure hope we (LSU) get back this year.

Well Mike--you have given me cause to be more watchful as I do my kayaking on Camp Creek Lake--I am already looking around more--always a good thing, I guess.

Also, your videos have actually reduced some fears about gators while in my 12 foot kayak. Generally speaking, I am sure they are much more affraid of me, but a watchful eye is a good thing! Thanks for the vids!

Richard Simmons

Well Mike--you have given me cause to be more watchful as I do my kayaking on Camp Creek Lake--I am already looking around more--always a good thing, I guess.

Also, your videos have actually reduced some fears about gators while in my 12 foot kayak. Generally speaking, I am sure they are much more affraid of me, but a watchful eye is a good thing! Thanks for the vids!

I wouldn't worry about gator in Camp Creek or any of the other dune lakes I've been in. I've been in them all. There are a few gator in there, but not many at all and they tend to stay anonymous. In Alligator lake, oddly enough, I had one coming toward me and someone came running from their backyard to warn me that a gator was there. I thanked them. I wonder if that gator was fed because of how it approached me.

The ones I've seen in Deer lake have been very skidish. I saw one in Camp creek that disappeared immediately. I've seen a few smaller ones in Western lake and other lakes, but that's another thing. All the ones I've seen in the dune lakes have been relatively small, maybe the biggest being 8 feet.

But in the dune lakes, in my opinion, you have absolutely no reason to be concerned. As I've said before, in Louisiana in a spot I use to paddle, I stopped counting at 126 one day and I came across some monsters. While a few times I had a little fear becase I worried a big gator had narrow exit points, I generally felt fine. Many little gator surfaced inches from my kayak and seemed surprised that I was there, and they would flurry away.

I think a gators jaw pressure might be around 3000 pounds. I could be wrong about that. But if it is, I lift that much when working out so I should be able to withstand its bite and even seperate its jaws from my frame. I also have loose hips from my disco dance routine I do in my home workouts (Richard Simmons) so I could probably shake out from a death roll. I hope I don't have to test my theories, but it's nice to be as prepared as I am .