sm
member
September, 1978.
Major flood hit my area.
At one point the river was going over the lock and dam. Lives were lost, homes and businesses, washed away.
A few days later I drove as close as I could to the lock and dam, I met up with a Sheriff and a Game and Fish Officer, "Gonna be a spell before things get normal, be a awhile 'fore we know what all damaged."
Sheriff and G&F, said to me "grab your gun lets take a walk , but betcha snakes gonna be about...rules and regs...your helping us".
I grabbed my 45ACP, and my 22lr pistol, and we set out. Parallel to the river we followed what was left of a trail...heard the strangest noise...Sheriff and G&F drew their wheelguns, I followed, we rounded the corner...
"I'll be...heard of 'em, never seen it ....now what we gonna do?"
We had run across Walking Catfish --darndest sight I'd ever seen. I piped up " what do you guys think about rounding these up and donating so we can feed the folks in the shelters...can we do that?. A call was made and since a state of emergency had been implemented, not sure if they'd survive going back into the river...the go ahead was given.
We made a quick trip to a bait shop close by and the owner loaned us his 22 pistol, gave us some ammo Ice chests, 2 wheeler, and the use of his truck. Plans made for some charity groups to pick up the fish, clean, take to shelters and cook them up.
So with two rimfire pistols we hunted walking catfish, dunno the proper method, but we did. Pop in the head with a 22lr, chunk in ice chest. Now some of these things were pretty big...15 # cat 'walking to another spot of water" for breathing purposes can get to be a handful in a hurry. Laugh if you dare...but you ever handled one on land? Big ugly whiskered thing out of his enviroment...can cop an attitude
Between the catfish, keeping the snakes at bay, two wheeling a full ice chest back to the truck, returning...we plum wore ourselves out.
Filled that truck up,literally. The charity people met us-astonished-but we did it. A good effort by all. A few days later we 3 invited to a shelter to join in the dinner...pulled at your heartstrings...but a good feeling.
Game and Fish officer turns to me with a quirkey grin and " By the way, you gotta license to hunt or fish...not rightly sure which applies?" Sheriff almost chokes with laughter as I pull out my "combo" license.
Major flood hit my area.
At one point the river was going over the lock and dam. Lives were lost, homes and businesses, washed away.
A few days later I drove as close as I could to the lock and dam, I met up with a Sheriff and a Game and Fish Officer, "Gonna be a spell before things get normal, be a awhile 'fore we know what all damaged."
Sheriff and G&F, said to me "grab your gun lets take a walk , but betcha snakes gonna be about...rules and regs...your helping us".
I grabbed my 45ACP, and my 22lr pistol, and we set out. Parallel to the river we followed what was left of a trail...heard the strangest noise...Sheriff and G&F drew their wheelguns, I followed, we rounded the corner...
"I'll be...heard of 'em, never seen it ....now what we gonna do?"
We had run across Walking Catfish --darndest sight I'd ever seen. I piped up " what do you guys think about rounding these up and donating so we can feed the folks in the shelters...can we do that?. A call was made and since a state of emergency had been implemented, not sure if they'd survive going back into the river...the go ahead was given.
We made a quick trip to a bait shop close by and the owner loaned us his 22 pistol, gave us some ammo Ice chests, 2 wheeler, and the use of his truck. Plans made for some charity groups to pick up the fish, clean, take to shelters and cook them up.
So with two rimfire pistols we hunted walking catfish, dunno the proper method, but we did. Pop in the head with a 22lr, chunk in ice chest. Now some of these things were pretty big...15 # cat 'walking to another spot of water" for breathing purposes can get to be a handful in a hurry. Laugh if you dare...but you ever handled one on land? Big ugly whiskered thing out of his enviroment...can cop an attitude
Between the catfish, keeping the snakes at bay, two wheeling a full ice chest back to the truck, returning...we plum wore ourselves out.
Filled that truck up,literally. The charity people met us-astonished-but we did it. A good effort by all. A few days later we 3 invited to a shelter to join in the dinner...pulled at your heartstrings...but a good feeling.
Game and Fish officer turns to me with a quirkey grin and " By the way, you gotta license to hunt or fish...not rightly sure which applies?" Sheriff almost chokes with laughter as I pull out my "combo" license.
