I’m waiting on the DNR to come down on this guy for shooting an alligator without a permit.
What Long thought was a snapping turtle slithering through the upper reaches of the Milwaukee River in Washington County was actually a nearly 4-foot-long alligator, which he promptly shot.
“At first, I thought it was turtle tail,” said Long, 31, of Greenfield, who was in the river hunting for duck Saturday. “Then it turned and came back at me. I seen the eyes come up out of the water, but my brain didn’t click. This is Wisconsin. There’s not supposed to be gators in Wisconsin.”
When the gator’s eyes went back under the water, Long fired, hitting the reptile and leaving it stunned.
According to a portion of the article you did not quote the DNR thanked him for removing an invasive species.
Worried that Long may have broken some law, they called the state Department of Natural Resources violation hotline. They said a warden later called them and told them they were not in any trouble and had removed an invasive species from the river.
Warden Bill Mitchell confirmed Sunday that they had called the hotline and he called back to tell them there was no violation.
It was tongue in cheek, John.
Mmmm… gator… tastes like rattlesnake.
‘Tongue in cheek’... That’s gotta be a violation to somebody, somewhere.
Sorry, missed that.