15 replies to this topic

[I'm_A_Drifter]

http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acces...QAdIdZ206774259

[Coachman]

The problem with a baby snapping turtle is that it will someday be an adult snapping turtle. These are wild animals, and can be dangerous. Of course I'd be more worried about it if it was a bobcat kitten or a wolf cub, but still, in my opinion, that turtle belongs in the wild. Maybe you could buy it and set it free?

Is it even legal to keep one as a pet?

[chilli]

Good thing he isn't selling it because that would be illegal. You can't sell Canadian wildlife. Would make a cool pet outdoors though.

[I'm_A_Drifter]

I wasn't sure if it was even legal to keep one. Aren't they becoming an "endangered" specie in Ontario?

[chilli]

They have changed the status so perhaps but they are a dime a dozen around Niagara. Hey we could export a coulple thousand around the province!

[I'm_A_Drifter]

chilli, on May 23 2010, 04:42 PM, said:

They have changed the status so perhaps but they are a dime a dozen around Niagara. Hey we could export a coulple thousand around the province!

I know there was a big un in the Muskrat River last Wednesday in Pembroke. So they do have a healthy range.

I think I saw a blurb on their endangered status in a Ontario Out of Doors...can't remember which one because I left 'em on base.

[chilli]

Ya well these people on the SARA board also said sturgeon were to move up the list. I think SARA could easily be infiltrated and run by the anti hunting/fishing idiots and just add everything to the list. It is scary to see how much power that legislation has. I had to stop on Point Abino rd today for the usual snapping turtle crossing. Big bugger too.

[Dark_Edge]

If you guys want turtles, we could figure out some way of importing them from Oklahoma. There's so many down there, in a lot of waters, they're a detriment to the fish populations. Turtle traps have been used, but it barely put a dent in the numbers. One lake I know of, fifteen traps were put out, and each was emptied twice a day. And not because that was policy, because they were so full, no more turtles could get in. When you're hauling off a six wheel dump truck of turtles from one lake every day, you know that's a lot of turtles.

[chilli]

Dark_Edge, on Jun 14 2010, 06:30 PM, said:

When you're hauling off a six wheel dump truck of turtles from one lake every day, you know that's a lot of turtles.

Wow the guys from China would love to hear that story!

[hammercarp]

When I was a kid I had a baby snapping turtle as a pet. My own little monster. I kept it until the next year and realeased it. They grow very slowly and live a long time. They are laying there eggs now. I have eaten them. I had the meat done in a coating and deep fried. It's good. I tried eating the eggs too. I don't recommend them. Yuck. But coon and skunks love them.

[smerchly]

Snapping turtles are so ugly, but the baby ones are cute ! I have caught a few of the BIG ones and it took a month to get the smell off my hands ! I don't think I have the stomach to indulge ! Some people do eat them , make snapper soup out of them , but I'd rather let them play in the mud thank you very much .

[Dirka13]

chilli, on Jun 14 2010, 06:49 PM, said:

Wow the guys from China would love to hear that story!

lol if this was youtube you woulda got a thumbs up from me on that one chilli

[chilli]

Actually I have a youtube video of a snapping turtle that gets so many hits they offered me revenue sharing. I checked the statistics and the majority of viewers were men from China between 30-45 years old. It's a long drive from China to St John's pond though

http://www.youtube.c.../30/k3MqA-uQMAU

[davincan]

Cool video.

My most memorable encounter with a snapping turtle was also one of my most memorable fishing moments. Was fishing with my oldest boy (5 at the time) up in Algonquin Park. We were catching so many little smallmouth bass off the docks out front of the outfitters on Opeongo that he started to get bored with it. So he would cast out a simple worm on a hook with his little kids rod/reel combo; then hand me his rod and go bug catching; leaving me instructions to call him over once there was a fish on so he could reel it in. Anyway, I felt what seemed like a good nibble so I gave a tug to set the hook only to feel the unmistakable dead weight of a snag. But the 'snag' was not fixed completely to the bottom...it was moveable...obviously a submerged branch or something that I would have to haul up from the bottom. Up...up...up...until it came out of the darkness and saw me! Then it freaked out! I think I may have screamed a little too I called out to my sons and my wife while I was fighting this thing and got the wife to grab her camera. When 'Snappy' finally gave up the fight he just came to the surface and looked right at us; opened his mouth and hissed! (I had no idea they could do that!) That's when the wife took the pic that now serves as my avatar. Right before I had her reach down and cut the line about 2" from the hook to set Snappy free.

This turtle was massive. A truly impressive creature that could make a person wonder if they should swim in lakes inhabited by the likes of it. You can use the simple 6" snelled hook and snap swivel to give the photo a bit of scale. Claws were a couple of inches long. No idea how much it weighed but it was hea_vey! Here's a closeup:

[Coachman]

I've hooked up on turtles too, but never "landed" one. I'm surprised he didn't just bite through the line.

[Bassmaster]

That thing just looks nasty.. I'd probably scream like a girl too if that thing was on the end of my line too...

I knew this Yugoslavian guy years ago.. he was fishing Mohawk Lake and was catching carp.. well there are snappers in there too.. the snapper decided he wanted some lunch and grabbed one or two carp off this guy's stringer.

Well ol snappy came back for thirds and that sealed his fate! The snappy was captured and stuffed for posterity.. when this guy had an auto shop on Erie Ave.. the stuffed turtle sat on this desk with the news article about it.. LOL LOL