Well, I was taking a walk today next to a canal (very large one that goes all the way to the everglades, and only about two miles away), and found a green line staked into the ground. The thing that stood out to me was the line used. It didn't look like typical fishing line (although I'm no fishermen). It was some kind of green twine, rather tough stuff.
But anyways, it wasn't the line or the stake. It was what I saw when I pulled the line in....
Excuse the horrible pictures, as I was trying not to disturb her to much. She's a beautiful 16 inch florida soft-shell (apalone ferox), for those who don't know. The poor girl was stuck there, with a hook way back in her mouth. I've taken hooks out before, but unfortunately, its to far back into her mouth, and she's to angry. She'll be going to a vet friend of mine to be put under and have the hook removed.
I just can't believe people do this. I'm no fishermen, but this seemed specifically designed for catching turtles. Something seems horribly cruel about catching a turtle on a hook. It's one thing to catch fish with hooks; they don't have as much feeling. For a turtle, its very painful....
I take walks like this a lot, and I always cut any baited hooks like this I find. I could care less whether they are trying to catch something else other then a turtle; they very likely may catch a turtle. And usually, from what I've seen, those people don't know how to take the hook out. They just cut the line and let that turtle swim away with a hook lodged in its mouth. This can prevent them from being able to eat it; or worse, they might swallow the hook.
Unfortunately, this is legal in florida, except in may 1st through july 31st (egg-laying season).
But regardless, she will be able to go back to her home with minor injures within a week...This girl might have some eggs in store for the coming months
.
But anyways, it wasn't the line or the stake. It was what I saw when I pulled the line in....
Excuse the horrible pictures, as I was trying not to disturb her to much. She's a beautiful 16 inch florida soft-shell (apalone ferox), for those who don't know. The poor girl was stuck there, with a hook way back in her mouth. I've taken hooks out before, but unfortunately, its to far back into her mouth, and she's to angry. She'll be going to a vet friend of mine to be put under and have the hook removed.
I just can't believe people do this. I'm no fishermen, but this seemed specifically designed for catching turtles. Something seems horribly cruel about catching a turtle on a hook. It's one thing to catch fish with hooks; they don't have as much feeling. For a turtle, its very painful....
I take walks like this a lot, and I always cut any baited hooks like this I find. I could care less whether they are trying to catch something else other then a turtle; they very likely may catch a turtle. And usually, from what I've seen, those people don't know how to take the hook out. They just cut the line and let that turtle swim away with a hook lodged in its mouth. This can prevent them from being able to eat it; or worse, they might swallow the hook.
Unfortunately, this is legal in florida, except in may 1st through july 31st (egg-laying season).
But regardless, she will be able to go back to her home with minor injures within a week...This girl might have some eggs in store for the coming months
.
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