Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey i was wondering how i could catch some snappers i live in louisiana but i dont wanna wade in the water or swim in it i will go in but not more then like around the edge because he have really alligaters lol big like 9 and 10 footers anyone got any help?

I'm in Louisiana also. What part of the state are you in? I trapped a lot of turtles last summer and only caught a handful of snappers, and no alligator snappers. The easiest way to get them is to buy some hoop nets, but they aren't cheap.
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That's not just a woman; it's a way of life!
-Roland T. Flakfizer

Hey I live in Bossier City Louisiana the only play i know of is on the eastside of base but there is a lot of aligators in flag lake but really wanna try to catch some so how far out do i put the trap and what do i put in it?> how much did yours cost?

You wanna catch snappers then just trot line for em.' If you are catching them to keep then tie a thick string with a fish head attatched to it and throw it in the water. I live in Ohio and when we trap turtles it works everytime.

Make sure you check the regulations before you try and catch any alligator snapping turtles. These turtles are protected almost everywhere and just last year they became protected in Louisiana. But, I think the protection in Louisiana only limits the number of turtles you can catch, not provents you from catching them. These turtles really should be let alone in the wild or they will soon become endangered. Why don't you just buy some turtles from a breeder? You can purchase baby alligator snappers for $8 and baby snappers for $5 if you search the classifieds.

you are more likely to get bitten by a water moccasin, or for that matter, to get struck by lightning, than get hauled off by a gator.
i would have to say that i have caught more turtles (of all kinds) in crawfish traps (basket nets) baited with chicken liver or bacon, or on trot lines than i have ever caught while actually 'turtle huntin'.
the biggest thing youll have to get over if you want to catch snappers in the wild is the fear of whats in the water!
i can tell you all kinds of places within 30 minutes of you where you can catch turtles.
btw, i answered your email!

Don't trot line for snappers.
Don't use any kind of hook or net.
They are endangered.
They take forever to reach maturity.
An alligator snapper will swallow a stainless steel hook, which will never go away in his system. He'll die.
Buy hatchling for 10 bucks.
I know people who trot line for catfish and catch alligator snappers all the time. They usually kill them on the spot
Its this kind of stupidity that makes them almost non-existant in the wild now. an animal can live for 80 years , and then be hooked and killed in one night.
People are being too polite here. They are NOT a replacable resource. They are dissappearing. They are not like a fish or other species of turtle that each maturity and can reproduce in a relatively short number of years.
Its assanine to trap alligator snappers in any way or method.
I'm sorry, but only humans will come into contact with a species like this and the first thing we want to do is kill it.
Like I said , people on this forum are being WAY TOO POLITE.
You can buy captive bred alligator snappers. Do not support in any way, people who take alligator snappers out of the wild.
Humans make we want to puke most times.

I agree with MikeST 100%! I know that this is an old post but I felt I needed to post and support what Mike said. Hooks kill turtles and it has to be a painful way to go, and yes, turtles have feelings! Too many people think of animals as simply objects and show no concern to them regarding pain. If you really want an alligator snapper, then buy captive bred animals. Right now you can get them in the classifieds for $8. If you really like the species, then please don't contribute to it's demise! ~Christy