The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-01-21
ABOUT ALLIGATORS.
Their ---abit5 and How They Are
I-u:ltod in Swa.lps.
Naturally Timid, Sometimes They Be-
como Fcrocious Man Eaters-One
Nights work in Which
Five yvcro I.il.ed.


that in some parts of the south the
hunting of these animals forms quite
profitable industry. Men band them
selves together in couples and in COM
panies of half dozen, provision their
boats for weeks or q months trip
and seek the wilder and more secluded
streams and bayous
So thorough arc such hunts and so
crafty and cunning are the hunters
that locality that previously con-
tanned from ten to fifty gators will at
the close of Il hunt be either totally de-
populated, or at best, possess but one
or two cautious, wary old fellows that
are next to impossible to get view of,
to say nothing of near enough ap-
proach for Z shot.
This mode of systematic hunting has
had tendency to make the alligator
extremely rare in many sections of the
country, and to forever drive them away
from some. They arc queer, uncanny
brutes, and u few facts in regard to
them may prove interesting.
To begin with, stories of alligators
measuring fourteen and sixteen feet in
length may safely be put down as ex-
dS5RcLi1ttO.l1. lOtDU IL SUCn u ono
exists: twelve feet is tremendous size;
and rarely, very rarely, they run to
twelve and half.
/ have measured alligGtors innumer.
able, and fully ninoty-ciGht per cent
run FROM nine to eleven and a half
feet. So scarce is enc attaining the
mythical fourteen feet that reward
| of five hundred dollars for ono of this
| size has been unclaimed Tor the last
twenty years.
The part of the skin used for COM
mercial purposes is cut from line
along the side, just where the heavy
scales begin, and includes the sides
and belly, the back being SO tough as
to be utterly worthless and almost i'm
| pervious to q rife ball
In fact the two vulnerable points are
the eyes and just behind the fore leg,
| in any but direct limo will glance Off
| as if from q metal plate.
Although denizens of the water, they
have the most abjcct horror of rain,
and no sooner does the first faint
sprinlsling manifest itself than, plung-
ing from the banl, or log, they seek
dry quarters beneath the surface. On
warm, sunny days they basli on the
banks for yours, but even when cloudy
it is unusual to see one.
AS rule they continc themselves to
what nature has provided for food, oc-
casionally varying their diet with q
stray deer or calf, but at times they
become man eaters, and are then
tcrrors to all. Like the tiger, having
once tasted human flesh, they prefer it
to everything else, and with watchful
eye envy all who come within reach.
At times the community organizes
and institutes q regular siege, which
sooner or later ends il capture
1t was my pleasure in the winter of
'S1-SS, together with u friend, to be
more or less Intimately associated with
a party of alligator hunters on the up
per St. Johns river il Florida, and
upon one or two occasions to partici-
pate in some remarkable hunts.
We were cncamped on sluggish
little creek beneath q group of pal
mettos mile or moro from the river,
and for some weeks past had been in
vestlgating the bird life of the sur
rounding region. Alligators were par
ticularly numerous, and their roarings
and bellowings could be heard on still
nights from creeks and sloughs five
| miles distant
One dark night just as we were
about TO turn il bright light came
suddenly around the bend and boat
with three men, armed and equipped
for "'gator shootin'," pulled up to our
camp They proved to be just out
| from Voluria, and, an accident having
happened TO their coffee can, they had
come up to borrow OF us.
They informed US of their intention
of remaining in the ncighborhood for
some time and extended cordial invi-
tation to join them in the chase.
There arc Two modes of alligator
| hunting. First, and best of all, is fire.
| lighting or iire-jacking; second, by
| floating in tho daytime. For the first
strong reflector light is placed in the
bow of the boat and provided with q
dark slide or door: the man who is to
shoot for the evening sits directly be-
hind it, while his companions propel
the boat.
The light, flashing full in the ami
| Sanis lace, appears to blind him and
make him insensible 10 al danger, but
the slightest soond proceeding from
| the boat is sufficient to arouse him.
| Nearer and nearer the boat creeps
until the distance is minimum, when
| the riileman, taking o careful aim,
| pours lnurderous discharge into the
most available part of his body.
Those killed ct night are pulled out
on the beach and skinned the follow
ing day, while those killed in the day
time are usually skinned on the spot.
The second method of floating con-
sists Of stealing softly within range of
a aslceping gator by day. 1t is diff
cult thing to no, and, on the whole.
unremuncrativo. It is usually prac.