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Sleuthing, Hunting, Cooking

It’s been a busy week, and I’ve been involved in a wide variety of things, so I thought I would share a couple photos with you.  By the way, I’m still trying to sell my alligator article called “Hunt for Hide”, and if I can’t sell it, then you will get to read it here, exclusively, FOR FREE!!!!

But for now . . . .

SLEUTHING . . .

The trip to Grand Isle was not quite as eerie as the last time I went.  Since I was on a different mission this trip, I did not get to do as much sleuthing.  However, I still had to sneak around to get a few photos . . .

There weren’t nearly as many tents . . . nor were there any lights like before . . .

Then there were these piles of sand all up and down the beach BUT NO WORKERS in sight.  Hmmm.  Makes me wonder if all that hustle and bustle cleanup activity was solely for the concert that was happening the week after my other report?  Now that all the BIG DOGS have come and gone, there’s no need for the hustle and bustle . . . . hmmmm.

HUNTING . . .

Next day, back down on the bayou, was the first day of Alligator Season.  For the first time in a couple of years, alligator tags were issued.  Even though the price is only a measly $20 a foot, lease holders must take the tags, hunt the gators, sell them to the buyer and at least hope they can pay their expenses.  Remember, alligator hunting was once the way the Bayou People earned their fall income.

I was hanging around the marina hoping for a photo op when the Swamp Dweller came long, still dressed in his “day job” uniform and said his older brother was out there with a big gator and needed help getting it in the boat.

So, I hopped in the boat and across the lake and up to the swamp we went.  Oh my goodness, it is so beautiful this time of year.  Those of you who have taken my tour will recognize some of these places.

It took the strength of both of these men to land this ten footer.  This attempt failed, so I had to put down my camera, hold the boats together so they could both get in one boat and pull together.  Heave ho!!!

One by one, Swamp Dweller hauled the gators from his brother’s boat into ours so we could save him a trip back to the landing, where they will be sold “whole”.

And we’re off to the selling dock with a boat load of gators and it’s barely lunch hour!

COOKING . . .

With the August shrimp season in full swing, we bought about 25 pounds off a neighbor’s boat today.  The Captain broke the heads, I put them in freezer containers, and left out a mess to boil with potatoes and onions and seasonings.  I don’t know what dispersant tastes like, but all I tasted was pure shrimpy goodness!  So, don’t be afraid to eat Louisiana seafood.  We all ate it and we are still fine many hours later!

More about alligator hunt coming next . . .

BW

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30 Comments

  1. My mouth is watering looking at those shrimp. Hope I don’t ruin the computer! Do y’all eat gator? We love it fried. I’ve never had it prepared any other way though.
    BTW…Just today I made (Sept) reservations for Grand Isle. I know the beach isn’t open at the state park yet, but it is in other areas. Do you happen to know where they drew that line in the sand? The Bridgeside beach area is open , but that’s all I’ve read about. I think I know what is on tomorrow’s menu. No gator in the freezer, but I do have 40 lbs. of shrimp!

    1. Well, I know you don’t particularly care for the killing of any animals . . . but honey we have way too many gators running around these parts nowadays. This will be a good thinning out.

  2. Lordy, those look good! As for the gators, I’ll pass. Hubby loves fried alligator and I have tried it but…I think it is the thought of what those suckers were eating before we ate them.

    I wish we were near an area with fresh shrimp. Too expensive in the stores. Hopefully the price will go down some with shrimp season open. I had planned to make your redneck gumbo today but, I didn’t have the shrimp! And, I was too tired tonight to go to the store.

    Have you watched the new show on the History Channel called the Swamp People? I think it started this past Sunday night and it was about hunting/tagging alligators in the bayou. I do not think I want that job. Uh uh, no way!! But, I really liked the show.

    1. Cammy, I don’t have any kind of TV guide, so I missed the show, although I had wanted to see how they would portray the “Swamp People” so I could tell you how accurate it was or wasn’t. I hate to say this, but the people in the photo online looked like they were black and not exactly Cajun. I don’t want to incite a riot, but there are very few blacks that hunt gators, at least down on these bayous. Can you remind me when it’s showing again? LOL! By the way, gators eat seafood just like we do LOL!

      1. It is on Sunday nights, History Channel (not sure what channel that is for you) at 10pm eastern, 9pm central. I think think the dark skin color was mainly from the cameras. Here is a link to some info on it. Also, I think I saw a video spot to click on to watch a full episode on your computer.
        http://www.history.com/shows/swamp-people

        I only watched one episode last week but, there was two on. I was too tired to sit up later. I do know that at one point in the show, I would have sworn there was a mention of Terrebonne.

        1. Ok, thanks. Let’s see if I can remember that come Sunday night. Might have to write a note and stick it to the TV screen!!! If I get some headphones for my computer, I can listen/watch the ones I missed online. How about that technology, huh? I’m sure they mentioned Terrebonne. We have so many gators here it’s unreal.

  3. Just found your blog and started following it. I’m from LA too. I live in St. Gabriel, about 20 minutes south of Baton Rouge. Always fun to connect with local bloggers. I have a blog too, its a gardening blog. Only been blogging a few months, but I enjoy it!

    1. Hi Mary and welcome to the bayou! It’s always good to meet and welcome a fellow La. blogger! I’ll be sure and check out your blog. Thanks for leaving such a nice comment! Come back often because we are giving away some original handmade jewelry next week !!! BW

  4. That is wonderful news about the shrimp and thank you for the informative ‘tour’ about gator hunting. Very interesting indeed. How long does the season last? Who buys the whole gators? Were they trussed up in nets to get into the boat? Hope your story sells, BW.

    How’s the move goin’?

    1. I just went back to August of 2008 to see if I ever posted the last alligator hunt I went on. Right after the hunt we had to hurry and evacuate for Hurricane Gustave, so I didn’t get to do the post in real time. But here is the post I did while we were evacuated . . . it shows you exactly how the traps are made and put out. I will be doing a very similar post this season, meanwhile I think you will really enjoy this one. If you ever want to see if I’ve written about something already, in depth, just type the key words in the search bar up there in the header on the home page. It will list the posts from newest to oldest. There are now three year’s worth of information, photos, articles in the archives that you would really enjoy!!! They are just called “buyers”. They broker the hides to tanneries. And although we are moved in, we are not totally moved out. Does that make sense? LOL!

      1. Many thanks, BW, for the link and the reminder about the search box. I got so deep into reading all your posts of Sept 2008, post-Ike, that I’ve not searched on “buyers” yet—but be assured I will.

        I may just have to go back to the beginning and read a month’s worth each evening!! Thank you again for starting this blog. It is **such** a worthwhile legacy to have out on the ‘Net for years to come.

        1. Did you start with the post that shows what the inside of my house looks like before we evacuate? And then I journaled the WHOLE evacuation. I think I’ll go back and read the whole series myself. Thanks for your continued interest, Egret. About buyers: Typically, the alligator farms bid on two things: The egg harvest in July and the wild gator harvest in September. Turns out, an alligator farm from Vermillion Parish got the bid . . . same people that rented Camp Dularge for the egg harvest back in July, which I don’t think I ever wrote about. Man, I have some catching up to do. And can I just bend you ear a minute since you seem to care? This blog does not make money . . not even a sponsorship . . . so the only way I get paid for actual articles is if I can sell them to print magazines or e-magazines. The problem with that is America is not cool with killing things for a living, so it’s hard subject matter to sell. With the oilspill, tours, charters, and camp rentals have been greatly curtailed, and I still don’t have any takers for articles . . . . so, I guess it’s time to publish another book . . . . maybe that will sell!!! BTW, LilSis has been encouraging me to publish a Wetlands Calendar from my photo stockpile, but I just don’t know if they would sell. And then, if I order 1000 and they don’t . . . then I’m stuck with the bill and the calendars! It’s a gamble! Ok, so much for TMI. I should have written you an email. Thanks again for your comments. BW

          1. Thank you so much for the indepth reply BW. I googled ‘magazines about hunting and trapping’ and was amazed at the amount of info in that niche market! Rest assured that I **never** would have found myself researching such a topic, if not for you!! 😉

            I can see what a gargantuan task it would be to contact each outlet and try to sell. I’ve been mulling LilSis’s idea about a calendar. It does seem like a big outlay for uncertain results. Maybe a poll on the sidebar would help you gauge interest on buying?

            It seems nowadays that many folks are trying seriously to reduce the amount of paper coming into their household; however the idea of a paid subscription to get online “A Photo A Day” from the wetlands accompanied by a funny/pithy/philosophical quotation from the various personalities ‘down the bayou’ might be a consideration. I think a lot of people would be interested in that, especially if they knew a small percentage of the fee was set aside for the purchase of marsh grass plantings.

            Folks want to help others. The outpouring of donations to Haiti proved that; but nowadays people also want the process from pocketbook to recipient to be quick and easy. I don’t know how the Paypal donation setup works on blogs but I see it frequently.

            Anyway, this has run longer than I intended. Just some thoughts that popped up. I’m off to read thru your Aug 2008 entries. Today’s post about the 88 gators was great, btw.

  5. All I hear about is Swamp People the tv thing. I just remind them its a tv thing and F Troop was a tv thing too.

    Good to see. Is capt. John gatoring??

    1. Yes, Blu, he and his sons are gatoring and first day they have hauled in the MOST and the biggest. First day was a great one but I missed the photo op . . . wrong place wrong time and failed communication . . . wanted to actually produce pics of their bounty . . . . biggest of Day one was 12 foot 3 . . . .a monster!!!

      1. That is a monster!! Will make a nice pair of boots for someone. I have got to follow your link above to your other post and read up some more.
        If one wishes to know the truth about an area and its people, talk to the people! And you have a lot of great info on your site. I have learned a lot about the wetlands thru you.

  6. I hope the Negdu put a post on the Du. Trying to get me and Mark fired up for a Everglades area trip. I been working out and loosing weight etc etc etc.

    1. bw, now im really home sick. I remember the gator hunts in the glades. wow takes me back. and blufloyds post made me jealous. some times I really miss my everglades so much. gettin to be time for a trip to the marsh to calm my homesickness. tha shrimp look good too. sure hope I catch. God Bless

  7. I echo your sentiments about the safety of the seafood, BW We’ve had shrimp and crab twice in the last three weeks with no after effects worse than contented bellies 🙂 Yum!

  8. Great post, BW! Very interesting. A few years back they pulled a really big alligator out of a marina here. They found a couple of Louisiana boys who knew how to handle them, and they got it trapped.

    I was there when they pulled it out, wrapped that snout with duct tape and flipped it over. Danged if I didn’t get to rub its tummy! Eventually parks and wildlife showed up and took him off – I think he went to live over by Caddo lake. Anyway, he was a lucky one and got relocated. (Or so they said)

    I went back and found your “yes” on the book about magazine publishing. It’s around here in a box somewhere – might be in storage. If I haven’t found it by Labor Day weekend I’ll find it then and get it in the mail to you.

    Did you see the nice article about Bayou Fabio in the Houma Courier? Good stuff.

    1. No hurry on the magazine. Rickey told me last week that NSU was coming again (it’s a regular event) and I told him he really was getting famous and that one day he might even find that “blonde with brains” he’s been holding out for all these years! LOL! Yes, nice article and thanks for sharing. I’ve not had time to read the paper this weekend.

    1. My article is about his family . . . and was hoping to get just the right photo to go with it but mis-communications have prevented that from happening . . . maybe today. All else fails, I have permission to borrow his photo.

  9. A reminder for you BW. Swamp People is on tonight @ 6 and 9 (History Channel). I’ve got the DVR programed already in case Hubby has control of the remote!

    1. Thank you, I watched it at 9. Interesting. I have NEVER seen anyone shoot a gator more than three times. Oh that’s right. It’s TV. They have to make it dramatic. Also, hunting gators in the swamp is different from the marsh and bayous. We stick poles in the bank to hold them . . . not tie the rope around a tree. Oh and I love that weird dude with the dog!! I want to go meet him!