Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I HAVE BEEN READING THESE FORUMS FOR A FEW YEARS, I HAVE JUST NEVER POSTED UNTIL NOW. I LIKED YOUR POSTS, AND BILL MOSSES OF COURSE AND I ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR PICTURES. YOU MENTIOMED A WHILE BACK ABOUT MOVING TO SOUTH CAROLINA, AND ROURKE FERGUSON(BIG SNAKE DADDY) SAID IT WAS A BAD IDEA WITH YOUR GATOR AND ALL. WELL I LIVE OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, IN THE COUNTRY AND LET ME TELL YOU THERE ARE GATORS IN PRIVATE HANDS, VERY WELL KEPT I MIGHT ADD. IF YOU EVER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AREA LET ME KNOW. I AM FROM BOSTON ORIGINALY, BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS. lATER

Au contraire.....Never once stated that "It was a bad idea." Only stated that bringing a gator (without prior authorization)was not in his best interest.. In fact living in SC is a wonderful idea. I did however state that obtaining permits/regulatory authority was under the umbrella of SCDNR.....It would be up to the individual to approach the regulating authority and apply. Best regards....

SORRY ROURKE, DIDN'T MEAN TO OFFEND YOU. I HAVE THE HIGHEST RESPECT FOR YOU AND ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. IN FACT YOU HAVE HELPED ME OUT IN MANY WAYS BEFOR, AT THE SAME TIME IF YOU SAW ME YOU WOULD LOOK AT ME LIKE I THINK I KNOW HIM BUT JUST KEEP WALKING. MY POINT TO RAVEN WAS SIMPLY NOT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ANIMAL INCLUDING DNR. A WHILE AGO, I HEARD OF SOME PEOPLE KEEPING ALLIGATORS IN COLUMBIA AND SELLING THEM, YOU KNOW THEM TRUST ME(THAT IS AS FAR AS I WOULD GO WITH IT, TRASH) WELL I GO AND CHECK IT OUT AND SURE ENOUGH, THEY HAD A THREE FOOTER IN A 75GAL. TANK, THE WATER WAS BLACK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I TOOK IT HOME AND NURSED IT BACK TO HEALTH, I LOVED THIS ANIMAL. I GOT IT TO ABOUT 41/2 FOOT AND HAD A HUGE ENCLOSURE, SO I DECIDED I WOULD TRY TO FOLLOW THE LAW. I CALLED DNR ABOUT 100 TIMES AND TOLD THE SECRETARY MY SITUATION, I TOLD HER I HAD A GATOR IN SC, IT WAS A RESCUE AND I WANTED TO DO WHAT WAS BEST. SHE TOLD ME EVERY TIME THAT A CERTAIN MAN WOULD CALL ME BACK...NEVER..... i DID GET IT A GREAT HOME, I SHIPPED IT TO PENN. A MAN HAS A HUGE COMPLEX. BUT I REALLY WISH I KEPT IT, I ACTUALLY LOVED THAT ANIMAL. SOME LAWS ARE MENT TO BE BROKEN. i HAVE FIVE ACRES, I SHOULD HAVE KEPT IT, I WILL ALWAYS REGRET IT.