Question on Gators--How close is too close

[corralup]

I can only take so many yard shots and my property pictures. Now its time for a road trip to BBSP.
I'll be taking 4 lens my longest being 300mm with a 2x.
I can't believe its been 10 years since the last time I was there.
I bet its changed a bunch.
So what is the safety zone for those gators? How close can you get to the babies? I know many of you go out there on a daily basis. I figured this is the best place to ask.
Thanks for your time.

Sandy

[ldelacruz]

Move slow, stay aware of your surroundings and you can get very close. I stood 10 feet from the babies and 15 feet from the mother for over 2 hours with no problem...I noticed that hikers that walked up quick to see what John Godwin and I were doing really agitated her...you'll have to ask John what one family did...I am still shocked to this day...remember they are wild and dangerous.

[bigjon0107]

About 15-20 feet should be enough. They have a quick burst of energy for about 5-8 yards, so try to keep out of that range. If for some reason you get them mad, there is not going to be any way you could get your camera and gear up and move before they get to you. Growing up in Florida, we used to wrestle them...but i don't recommend it . Just remember that is there is a baby around, momma is usually pretty close by. If for some reason, one does start chasing you, run in zig-zags while going away from it. They can move quick forward, but when it comes to side to side they slow down a ton.

[Duffy Pratt]

For short stretches (up to about 25 feet) they can move 10-11 mph. They accelerate to full speed almost instantly. That means if you are 20 feet away, and one starts for you, you've got 2 seconds to react and another half second to move 6+ feet. If you are paying attention, and not in too awkward a position, that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

[Steelsun]

I've been as close as 2 feet (but that was on Right Eye, a one eyed gator and I was on the blind side).

BB gators are used to people and are fairly calm in most cases.

The 2 exceptions are:
Mating Season (which is about now through Early May, so be very careful - the males are especially aggressive)
Hatching Season - the Females get very protective of their nests and babies. I've even been charged once.

I'll be hitting BBSP alot in the coming months to get male mating behaviors again.
The 2 lenses I used most are the 70-200 and 100-400.

[Steelsun]

And remember - you don't have to be able to outrun a gator, just outrun another photographer.

Also - tripods make nice blocking sticks. This year I may also hang a camou sheet from the tripod to disguise my legs and help keep them calm.

[PIC]

Originally Posted by corralup

I can only take so many yard shots and my property pictures. Now its time for a road trip to BBSP.
I'll be taking 4 lens my longest being 300mm with a 2x.
I can't believe its been 10 years since the last time I was there.
I bet its changed a bunch.
So what is the safety zone for those gators? How close can you get to the babies? I know many of you go out there on a daily basis. I figured this is the best place to ask.
Thanks for your time.

Sandy

Don't mean to spook you ...
But do you remember that Woman Jogger in Fla that got killed ??
It is said they can also run up to 40 MPH for a short distance.
No one said how short is short.

I got a Boston also.

EL

[Duffy Pratt]

Yes, its said that they can run 40 mph, but its not true. They accelerate to max speed almost instantaneously, which is why people think they can run so fast. But top speed is really about 11mph.

Duffy

[bigjon0107]

Originally Posted by Duffy Pratt

Yes, its said that they can run 40 mph, but its not true. They accelerate to max speed almost instantaneously, which is why people think they can run so fast. But top speed is really about 11mph.

Duffy

Actually they can lunge/run at 30 mph for 10 or so feet. They can not do this for any length, but in short bursts, they can. This is according to the NPS website here

Edit: to the OP, the running away from them in zig-zags....its a myth, no one has proven it either way....plus by the time you think to do it, you are either going to be in big trouble or out of their range

[12stones]

Besides, if you're running zig-zag, you need to watch to make sure you don't accidentally run into another one.

[canoflan]

Took this one with a 70-200 on a 30D (1.6 crop) and a 2x multiplyer from 40 feet away at Anahuac Wildlife Refuge a month ago.

[Tim-in-TX]

The closest I ever got was about 4 or 5 feet away. It was a smaller one, about 4 or 5 feet long. I got bold because it was early in the morning, rather cool (in the 50's, low 60's) and the gator was trying to warm up on the bank. If it is cool enough, and the gator has not been out of the water long, then you can get pretty close...but not TOO close! Being cold blooded, it takes them a while to warm up and "re-charge" their inner "batteries". I also try to keep the tripod between me and him at all times too!
If she is a momma, then the further away the better.


besides, as someone else stated above, you only have to be faster than the slowest person!

[Chayelle]

Sandy...
please leave Misty at home!!!!!

[bburton]

Fish and Wildlife Advisory

The Texas Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, golfers and tourists in general to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in the Gulf Coast area.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their shoes or clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly. They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator.

It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity. People should learn to recognize the difference between small young alligator and large adult alligator droppings.

Young alligator droppings are smaller and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers. Adult alligator droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.

[CaptainTom]

In the water and swimming away from you is a nice comfortable distance