I have three ponds from 1/2 to 3 acres in size. I bought 17 welsh harlequin duck hatchlings back in early April so now they are about full grown. I witnessed a large alligator snapper take a chunk out of one of my ducks thighs and pulled it under freaking the geese and the ducks out enough that no one went back in the water for several days. Now for those who know about snapping turtles...these are not common snapping turtles that can get 26lbs. No these are straight from the pit...150 lbs average with some as large as 250+ and unlucky for me only inhabit the southeast. I saw his head and neck which is bigger than my fist. I got the duck carcass out and wired it half in the water and when he came up for it the next day I shot at it with a 3.5 inch 12 gauge turkey load at about 30 feet. Didn't phase it. I tried a shot with a 30.06 no go. I have now ordered a large trap 4 feet square and was wondering if anyone else has been blessed by the presence of these creatures. Apparently they take out fish as well as they sit on the bottom and bait them in with a red tongue (likely forked LOL). I saw one of my large 30 inch catfish with a large chunk taken out of his back prior to the duck incident and wondered what happened but he lived and it healed. I may have to drain (thankfully it's the 1/2 acre pond) most of the pond if the trap doesn't work. Any stories out there on alligator snappers...nothing in the archive searches I've done on here. I can't use a trot line or the catfish will get on it.

21 Acres 3 great ponds all spring fed. A 3 acre a 2 acre and a 1/2 acre