Florida Man Arrested for Tire Dumping and Gator Shooting

Here's a sure fire way to get the Florida man arrested. So this dude decided his day wasn’t exciting enough, so he went out to dump some tires. Not just anywhere, though. He drove onto private property already known for being a tire graveyard. Thousands of tires were piled up there. Now, you’d think this guy would quietly drop off his load and bounce. But nope, destiny wants this Florida man arrested. According to FOX13, He spots an alligator, whips out a gun, and starts blasting away from his truck window.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, who were patrolling the area, must have thought they were seeing things. Here comes this dude, dumping tires and shooting at a gator like it’s just another Tuesday. The officers watched in disbelief as he continued to unload more tires after taking his shots at the gator.

So, they swooped in and got the Florida man arrested.  And boy, did they hit him with a bunch of charges. Illegal tire dumping, trying to nab an alligator, driving an unregistered vehicle, and, to top it all off, having an open container while driving. This guy was checking off all the boxes for “What Not to Do.”

Now, here’s a fun fact for Florida, it’s a third-degree felony to mess with gators. You can't kill them, injure them, or even think about capturing them without getting into serious trouble. There’s a hunting season for these ancient reptiles, but it runs from mid-August to early November. If you’re lucky enough to get picked for the Alligator Super Hunt, you get until the end of December to bag yourself two gators. That is only for law-abiding Florida man.

If you’re itching to get in on the action legally, you can apply at a tax collector’s office, a license agent, or just hop online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. But let this guy's story be a lesson. Don't be the next Florida man arrested. If you’re in Florida, respect the gators. Like maybe, you don't shoot at them. And also, dispose of your tires properly. Make a swing out of them if ya have to. Let's not add to the tire graveyard.

In the world of Florida alligators, courtship typically begins during the month of April. May and June are the usual alligator mating season. Though we are only two weeks into the month, there have already been a handful of reports in the state detailing strange alligator behavior.

Last week in Oviedo, a crew of public workers were surprised to find a five-foot alligator staring at them while examining a stormwater pipe. They had been tasked with looking into various potholes in Seminole County.

"Using a four-wheeled remote-control robot with a built-in camera, the team scrutinized the underground piping for any defects or blockages, only to discover a 5-foot alligator blocking the drains," Newsweek reported. Apparently, the crew followed the alligator through the pipe. Eventually, their robotic camera got dismantled and the alligator roamed away. The Newsweek report has still of the incident.

In the Fort White area, three women were casually floating down the Ichetucknee River on tubes. Suddenly, they were greeted by an alligator hissing at them. The alligator was resting upon a log. It was believed to be protecting its nest. Fox 13 secured some video clips of the strange sounds.

Last week, a Kendall resident found a not-so-friendly alligator enjoying a swim in their backyard pool. UPI reported that wildlife officials responded to the call and attempted to capture the 10-foot gator. The pool was not screened in. There is also a body of water close by where they believe the alligator might have come from. A crew member who came to the rescue explained that any alligator captured over four feet will be put in captivity.

Finally, Field and Stream has footage of other recent strange occurrences that have happened during alligator mating season. These include one alligator bending a metal fence, one walking across the street in Naples, and one at the front door of a house.

Here are a few things to know about the May and June alligator mating season in Florida.

You are more likely too see an alligator during mating season. Mating season aligns to this time of year partially due to the weather warming up. This in turn makes the alligators more comfortable with coming out. It was not uncommon for alligators to be seen more than usual this past winter due to the weather being warmer this year.

These are the times of day when an alligator is most active. They can be found in any body of water. They react to any splashing of water. At water's edge, they likely think any movement is an animal. Lower water levels also increase their movement abilities.

There are some general precautions you can take during alligator mating season. You should never feed them. In Florida, it's against the law to feed any animal living in the wild. It also makes them more comfortable around humans when you you feed them; it also teaches them to associate people with food. Keep your pets away from alligator friendly areas and bodies of water that have rising waters. Be aware that the size of the alligator does not matter in regards to how much damage it can cause. Smaller sized are also dangerous. If you were being chased by an alligator, it is best to run away in a straight line.

Lastly, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can always be contacted here, where you can also find additional information.