Went to run my rig a couple hours ago, brought my golden with me... When I got to the ramp there was no one there so I let him out the kennel so he could go pee as he usually does and didn't think much of it.. He ran to the water and went for a quick dip while I unhooked the boat straps put the plug in and backed it into the water. When I got out the truck I hollered for him to heel... As he did I saw what I thought was a log behind him prolly 5ft, went around the back of the truck and looked again as he was coming out the water and prolly a 9-10ft alligator took a lunge at his tail end, was extremely close call. Just figured I'd share with y'all in case yall do the same thing, might be best to keep the dogs in the kennel until it's time to get underway, Or keep a leash, I usually don't bc he's extremely well behaved. That would have been a very sad/ expensive lesson

Got to be careful this time of year

When it gets time to hunt gators we use live ones from the pound, they can't resist it!

Mine stays at heel with shock collar on until we are in the boat. She doesn't get out of the truck until it is parked away from the water to do her business so I can keep and eye on her for that very reason.

I had a similar incident in Scarsdale boat launch last year after duck hunting. Got out of boat after hunt at launch, let her go up to water's edge after scanning the area and then let her take a drink as I stood right next to her. When she was done she heeled and onto the truck in kennel she went until I was done unloading boat. When I went back to boat after kenneling her (maybe a span of one minute) there was at the minimum a 10 footer with the biggest fucking head a mere 5 yards from the bank (facing it) exactly where she was drinking.

So I know exactly what you mean by a close call. Not quite that close, but close enough.

Yes sir it can happen very quick and anytime!Remember,They are our buddies that will pick up our ducks with no question asked,It is our job to keep them safe

Gator would have taken a bullet

This high school boy got him the new Certified Texas record 800lb 14'3" beast on Choke Canyon.

That puts his size in perspective!

Wait a minute...I thought the 8'ers they pull in on swamp people weigh 700 pounds or better. That would make that 14'er weigh around 1200-1300 pounds. They need to check their scales.

My biggest fear here in Ind/Ky is not gators at the ramp its people leaving a big glob of chicken liver with a hook buried inside laying around at the ramps. I keep my Airedale close by until she hops in the boat. There is all kinds of hooks and crap people leave laying around at the ramps.
Glad your dog did not get nipped.

If I saw a fraukin gator where I live I would shiat myself. To cold up here in the North for them sunsabitches. But we do have rattlers that love to bite. I kill everyone I see. Good eating tbh. Glad ur dogg is fine. Did he figure out that the gator was after him or just come and heel?
Smoke