Snapping Turtles

Tales from the backyard…One year I was fishing on a small bay on Center Lake for panfish.  I had on my waders and was in about 4 ½ feet of water when I noticed something rolling over and over and coming my way.  When it got closer I saw that it was a huge Snapping turtle of about 30 or so lbs and looked to be battling a small Carp.  I love turtle meat so I took my pole to shore and went back out.  When the Turtle got close enough I grabbed it by the tail.  Never grab a turtle by the tail when its making love.  Up popped another, larger than the first and it wanted me bad.  Being bitten by a large snapper is not something I cared to do, so I waited for a chance and grabbed this one also.  Now with one in each hand I began to back out of the water, with the snappers stretching their necks full length trying for a piece of Pete.  I clapped them together trying to keep them occupied.  The closer to shore I went, the shallower the water and the heavier they became.  My arms were aching from the weight but I eventually made it and finding some sheep fence wrapped them up and then rested.  Sitting there I saw another 2 rolling my way in the water, so off I went again.  This time prepared, but the turtles were no less humorous.  All in all I caught 14 turtles that day and put them in the back of my truck and showed them off for two days.  I then took them to Osceola WI. to a lab and sold them.  392 lbs. and all in all they averaged 28 lbs. each, the largest just over 35, that’s after sitting in the sun in the back of my pickup for 2 days.  I forgot to save one for myself, but I did get a hefty check.