That's it. We are getting a fence. The gators - have gone utterly mad around here

kit_kats_mom wrote: There have been 3 fatal gator attacks on adults within the last few days in Florida. I'd said earlier that the big one in the pond out back was acting pretty aggresively towards a neighbor the other day and had made me nervous enough to not only not go in the back yard but to also not allow the kids on the screened in porch unattended and to check the entrance closeley before I open the door in case one is in our front yard. Having one plow through the screen to get one of my babies or getting eaten while checking the mail are not really very high on my list of things to accomplish.

So, we are finally putting up a fance. I've got the letter in the mailbox to the HOA requesting the OK and I'm looking at fencing today. We've been holding off because it will really ruin the view we have but I have a lovely yard and I'm too afraid to go into it. Plus, once we put up a fance, we can put a sandbox, swingset and other storage shed outside too.

Kaitlin'smom replied: got to do what you have to do. Darn gators, so what are the hunting laws on them there?

lisar replied: I understand why you are putting a fence up. You do know they make some nice fences that arent like a privacy fence. That you would still have some of your view.

mckayleesmom replied: I don't blame you Carrie. That is why all the houses I have been trying to find get marked off my list...they don't have fences.

BAC'sMom replied: I don't blame you, that is scarey.

Bee_Kay replied: Geeeeez! Having a "gator out back" would scare the bejeepers outta me! Living in MN I've never even seen one (except on TV).

I don't think I'd leave my house!!!

amynicole21 replied: Smart idea. You could always get privacy fencing on the side but keep the back fence low so that you could still enjoy the view...

These alligators are really freaking me out.

coasterqueen replied: Oh I would so do that in a heart beat! Course I would be so freaked out in general I'd force my DH to move.

moped replied: WOW - that is so scary! I guess that is FLorida. I hope you can go into yourd yard again - got any pics?

C&K*s Mommie replied: As mentioned, you do what you gotta do without hesistation. Esp when it comes to the safety of your kids. I hope you can get the approval from the HOA, and it gets done quickly for you.

DVFlyer replied: Gators???

And I complain about Gophers. I'd put up the Great Wall of China in my backyard if there were Gators.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: My friend has a pond behind her house and she has a nice, rod iron fence. Maybe you can do that so you will still have the view? I understand that HOA would have to approve it and you would definitely want something safe. I'm just thinking rod iron would be pretty sturdy.

Good luck. I can't believe you have Gators in your back yard. That's unreal. I didn't know they just wandered loosely like that.

CantWait replied: YIKES, that's pretty scary. I'd be doing the same thing.

Cece00 replied: Can you get a fence that is electric???? I'd worry that the fence alone wouldnt be enough if you have a gator "out back". I'm scared of reptiles, though

luvmykids replied: I just heard about that on our lunch time news scary!!!

Will they plow through a fence or can they get over one? I was thinking maybe you don't have to do a 6 footer or anything, just enough to keep them out and then you could still have your view .... Aimee's idea of wrought iron sounds good too. Good luck, stay inside!

kit_kats_mom replied: I don't think that they are really great jumpers on land. I know they can jump out of the water to catch a chicken on a hook though.

We've discussed doing a picket style in the back. That may be the route we go. I'm not sure if we can do two different styles though. According to the HOA we can only have the white vinyl or wood fences. I'd love a wrought iron one but I think that rule is in place to keep folks from putting up chicken wire. LOL

C&K*s Mommie replied: I just thought about this, the post above jogged my memory. My boss in Tallahassee, had a bf who was a gator gigger (sp), he told her that he had in fact seen gators try to scale chain link fences, and once was witness to a gator on its hind legs propped up against a sliding glass door. NOT trying to scare you, because he may have been pulling her leg, but I just remembered that. Hope you are able to find out the facts about gators and what they can and cannot do on land, though. Be safe!

My2Beauties replied: I heard about these attacks on the news during lunch. That is awful and scary I would be putting a fence myself pronto!

ashtonsmama replied: Yikes. I would too!

jdkjd replied: 'Bout time. I was wondering when the "great view" wasn't going to be worth not being able to use your yard. It really is nice to be able to run the girls outside without worrying.

The thought of gators scaling anything freaks me out though. I've seen them up close but never heard of anything like the past month down here. I guess it's Gator Season then Hurricane Season.

MomToJade&Jordan replied: I just read this article and apprently it is the middle of the gator mating season. Might explain the attacks a bit since the males can get pretty aggressive during this time of year. Also because of the drought and the developement of natural habitats the gators are moving around more. I think a fense is a great idea and the picket style would look nice back there Cary.

luvbug00 replied: ITA with DV put some electricity on that bad boy! LOL!!! seriously though Do what you gotta I'd be freaked beyond words!

MomToJade&Jordan replied: Oh I found an interesting article about the gator population and about gator hunting.

Gator Season Is Time To Be Careful And Time To Hunt