News for Florida animal advocates

Last Saturday, an ARFF representative attended a training and orientation class for alligator hunters in Dania Beach. The class was offered by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and led by program coordinator Steve Stiegler.

Spending a couple hours surrounded by men and women who enjoy killing animals is not our favorite way to spend a weekend afternoon, but as ARFF prepares for a protest on opening day of the 2009 “alligator harvest,” it is important for us to learn as much as possible about the recreational killing of alligators in Florida.

During the class, attendees learned about weapons used to capture and kill alligators. A firearm called a bangstick is commonly used by hunters to kill alligators after the unfortunate animal has been harpooned or hooked and dragged close to the boat. Mr. Stiegler advised that the bangstick should be used only after the alligator is “thoroughly exhausted” from attempting to escape. He also recommended discharging the bangstick underwater because of the danger of flying fragments of bone from the alligator’s skull.

If hunter’s cannot get close enough to an alligator to use a harpoon, the use of a three-pronged “snatch” hook attached to a fishing rod, or a baited wooden peg, can be used. The short wooden peg is attached to a line, baited with beef lung or road kill and then thrown out into the water. Mr. Stiegler explained that once an alligator swallows the bait, the hunter retrieves the line and the peg gets caught in the alligator’s throat.

At this point in the class, a member of the audience asked about using live bait. The question was received with much laughter by the audience. Mr. Stiegler’s answer was disappointing. He stated that the FWC does not specifically prohibit the use of live chickens (his example), but that local laws may prohibit the practice. In our opinion, tying a live chicken to a wooden peg and throwing the animal into the water to attract alligators would cause unnecessary suffering and/or a cruel death, and therefore would be in violation of the State of Florida’s cruelty to animals statute (828.12).

ARFF has faxed a letter to Diane Eggeman, Director of FWC’s Division of Hunting and Game Management, urging the FWC to clearly discourage the use of chickens or other live animals as bait during this week’s alligator-hunting classes in Tallahassee, Tampa and DeLand.

You Can Help
Florida’s 11-week alligator hunt begins August 15. Please join ARFF in protest of the alligator hunt on opening day in Belle Glade. Visit ARFF’s website for details.

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