Despite the large population of alligators in South Mississippi, state wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. So, how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March? Of course, alligators are also something to watch out for along the Pascagoula River. This story was originally published February 20 . Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch currently has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators. The following year, in response to a U.S. Visitors are welcome here everyday and are able to stroll through the lush green woodlands to spot a variety of animals including deer, skunks, raccoons, birds and more. Flynt expects the Pascagoula River to once again produce the so-called trophy alligator, which would top 600 pounds and 10-feet long, despite Hurricane Isaac dropping nearly 20 inches of rainfall on the area during the final weeks of the season. "It was kind of fake it till you make it," says Erin Napier. "Crocodilians, which includes alligators, have a uniquely designed heart that allows them to store oxygen without beating," Flynt said. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Adults-only Shows from $61.00 per adult (price varies by group size) The area 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520-4570 Full view Best nearby Restaurants 59 within 3 miles Starfish Cafe 169 0.2 mi$$ - $$$ American Seafood Mediterranean Serious Bread Bakery 173 330 ft$ Bakeries American Cafe The Blind Tiger 614 Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. "It was just us and the feral cats. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. Of those, about five are fatal each year. People are investing in their townnot to garner attention or elevate property values but simply to make Laurel better because this is where they want to stay and work and enjoy life. 13. Address: Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, 10300 Hwy 90, Moss Point, MS 39562, Winter Opening Times: (November 1st February 28th): 8am to 4pm, Summer Opening Times: (March 1st October 31st): 8am to 6pm. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. Each tag holder is allowed to harvest two alligators that are a minimum of 4 feet. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. That's my measure. He leads a Laurel that's worlds away from the town of his childhood memories. Miss Pearl can be businesslike, but they know I'm fair and I love them. "When my daughter graduated high school, she said she was going to leave. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Built in 1910, it's listed on the Mississippi Historical Registry and was owned by William Carroll Gartin, Laurel's mayor in the 1960s and a three-term lieutenant governor of Mississippi. The city lies on a low ridge between Tallahala Creek to the east and Tallahoma Creek to the west. [19], The United States Postal Service operates the Laurel Post Office and the Choctaw Post Office, both located in Laurel. More than 6,000 acres of the land are licensed to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to manage wildlife within this area. This is your guide to discovering Laurel, Mississippi, the official filming location for Home Town on HGTV, starring Laurel's own Erin and Ben Napier. That is where I became interested in cooking. ", "I was born and raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from here. The numbers vary among different sources, but most indicate there have been about 60 deaths from black bear attacks in North America since 1900 and just over 20 of those happened in the United States. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. I grew up in a community called the KC in a three-room shotgun house. As long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there have been people who hunted the creatures. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. Amtrak's Crescent train connects Laurel with the cities of New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and New Orleans. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. Because alligators are. Laurel was the big city for us. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. Something was pulling us back here. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 61.3% African-American, 29.8% non-Hispanic white, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native American, and 1.0% reporting two or more races.[17]. Did you know that 84 species of reptiles, 426 species of birds, and over 120 species of fish make Mississippi their forever home? LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). The Waterfront Hiking Trail In Mississippi Will Capture Your Imagination, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Velvet Cream In Mississippi, This Secluded Nature Trail In Mississippi Is So Worthy Of An Adventure, This Enchanting And Historic Island In Mississippi Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, 15 Things You Quickly Learn When You Move To Mississippi, 12 Things Only True Mississippians Can Tell You About Life In Mississippi, 10 Reasons Why People From Mississippi Are Unbelievably Tough, 11 Stereotypes About Mississippi That Need To Be Put To Rest Right Now, 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. With their business partners, Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. Alligators are found in coastal habitats from Texas to South Carolina, and occasionally venture into saltwater. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). If a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the Mississippi State Department of Health suggests keeping the affected area at or slightly below the level of the heart and getting the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible. By the 1920sthe peak of Laurel's lumber productionthe area's four mills were producing a total of one million board feet of lumber per day. The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside city limits. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. "I put my foot where I couldn't see," Sanders said. When they die, some must sink into the deep ocean. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. Trapper Wayne'snuisance animal control made its biggest catch yet,an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes in the United States, Whats the Largest Man Made Lake in Pennsylvania, The Most Alligator Infested Lakes in Mississippi. All rights reserved. In the late 1960s, American Alligators were thought to be on the verge of extinction in the marshy wetlands bordering the Mississippi River, but they have since made a remarkable recovery. However, the last significant sighting dates back to 2017, when someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he saw three alligators at the lake. In 2011, the . For hunters, there is another serious danger that awaits. That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. And the python was missing its head. According to TWRA, all of the confirmed gator sightings have been in the extreme southwest part of the state. The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. I started doing research into all these different places. He is also one of the 25 people in the state that can legally trap alligators. The mayor is elected at-large. I'll take you.' Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. By 1891, Kamper's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, leading Kamper to sell the mill and extensive land holdings in the area (more than 15,000 acres), to Clinton, Iowa, lumber barons Lauren Chase Eastman and George and Silas Gardiner, founders of the Eastman-Gardiner Company. In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. In 1906, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their own lumber mill in Laurel. There may be alligators in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, but they're only found in the marshy swamps around the river. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. Flynt, who has caught and handled alligators for years in his research, said only larger alligators require two hands to hold their jaws closed and that's because the mouths can be too large to grip with a single hand. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. "That rating of a two goes to a nine or 10," Flynt said. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. The rebirth of Laurel, Mississippi, is proof of what real people can do with a little creativity, a lot of commitment, and a deep well of love. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. The Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico. I'm an HGTV junkie, so one night I was hunched over my computer, and here came a new TV show, Home Townfirst season, first episode. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. "I totally trust that lifeline. The gator was not harmed while being relocated. 11 The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million. The Pascagoula River has a very large alligator population with estimates ranging from 7,500 to 12,500 this represents 25% of Mississippis total alligator population. The heaviest one taken (during the 2012 permit hunting season) down there was 636 pounds. "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. Laid end to end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles. Hes keeping a century-old business alive. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. Jackson County may be home to a 1,000-pound alligator in the fertile waters of the Pascagoula River. . There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . The most relevant alligator sighting here happened in 2011 when a visitor at the lake spotted and captured a photo of a small 3-foot alligator at the Mississippi River. 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