I hope you read this

[BroadHopper]

Early Saturday morning about 7:30 near the Gilford/Alton line on Rte 11, I was heading east when I saw this big turtle making its way across the road. I have never seen such a big turtle pick itself up as it walk across the road. I stop to make sure other motorist pay attention. A few motorists behind me actually enjoy watching the guy! A few cars going West slowed down and were careful going around the turtle. I'm surprise no one would stop to make sure no one would run over the animal.

There was a white Navigator traveling fairly fast west and I flash my lights hoping the driver would slow down. All of a sudden those behind me were also flashing and honking their horns. The driver is not letting up!

I notice some blonde bimbo driving without a care in the world. The turtle's body was bouncing to the side of the road. I notice out of state plates on the Navigator. She did not slow down or stop!

There was utter silence among us. This was totally uncalled for!

I have no regards for thoughtless and careless people. I hope she is satisfied with her visit to this great state.

[Chaselady]

There seems to be a number of people like that in this world...unfortunately they aren't on this forum!

[jetlag100]

So what happened to the turtle? Did he get thrown around, or did he die?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Early Saturday morning about 7:30 near the Gilford/Alton line on Rte 11, I was heading east when I saw this big turtle making its way across the road. I have never seen such a big turtle pick itself up as it walk across the road. I stop to make sure other motorist pay attention. A few motorists behind me actually enjoy watching the guy! A few cars going West slowed down and were careful going around the turtle. I'm surprise no one would stop to make sure no one would run over the animal.

There was a white Navigator traveling fairly fast west and I flash my lights hoping the driver would slow down. All of a sudden those behind me were also flashing and honking their horns. The driver is not letting up!

I notice some blonde bimbo driving without a care in the world. The turtle's body was bouncing to the side of the road. I notice out of state plates on the Navigator. She did not slow down or stop!

"mmmmm, but if your a slow turtle and your in the middle of the road...what happens?....Austin......."
There was utter silence among us. This was totally uncalled for!

[Onshore]

not surprising...
http://news.yahoo.com/college-studen...182457207.html

[NHBUOY]

Sad article right there ST. That isn't what I would call "...the dark side of human nature..", that is defective mentalities at work. Sad & sickening.
And BH the turtle wrangler gets a thumbs up..

[gravy boat]

That's right where our little slice of heaven lies.

So sad.

[aquabones]

Last year there was a turtle crossing the entrance ramp onto the Tenney mt Highway. I stopped the car, got out and made my husband pick up the turtle and put it on the other side of the road. Next thing-- a police car pulls behind me and reprimanded me for what i just did. At least I got the turtle to safety.

[wifi]

I know there is a courteous/caring/human SUV drive out there........somewhere......

[gillygirl]

I had a high school classmate in freshman English who put a turtle in a trash bag, set it in the road, waited until a car had run over it, then placed the bag on the English teacher's chair. The following year he strangled his girlfriend, tied her body to a tree, and set her on fire. They say serial killers start with animals.

[8gv]

A few weeks ago I saw a large snapping turtle facing the traffic lanes of 93. He was poised to make a mad dash across the highway. There was so much traffic I doubt he made it across.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by gillygirl

I had a high school classmate in freshman English who put a turtle in a trash bag, set it in the road, waited until a car had run over it, then placed the bag on the English teacher's chair. The following year he strangled his girlfriend, tied her body to a tree, and set her on fire. They say serial killers start with animals.

Did hr drive an SUV ?

[dpg]

When you try to help and pick them up ALWAYs carry them in the direction they were heading. Never put them back to the side of the road from which they were coming. They're always walking in a particular direction for a reason. Seems like common sense but ya never know!

[tis]

WE have stopped for many turtles and helped them across the road. We also stop for chipmunks and squirrels which I swear someday is going to get us rear ended. Just can't bear to hit them though.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by tis

WE have stopped for many turtles and helped them across the road. We also stop for chipmunks and squirrels which I swear someday is going to get us rear ended. Just can't bear to hit them though.

I'll hit the brakes for animals if there is no one behind me, otherwise I'll run over it, usually they get out of the way, but occasionally........

Slamming brakes on for small animals with someone behind you is dangerous, human life is more important.

[NH_boater]

Originally Posted by wifi

Did hr drive an SUV ?

Strange that you found humor in this post.

[CateP]

If it's any consolation, we rescued a painted turtle the other day. We actually relocated it in a nearby pond, FAR from any road. Felt good to do that.

Unfortunately some visitors to our region are not "nature aware" or "tuned in to their environment." Sad for them. They are missing out.

[dave603]

From what I've noticed, too many are too busy talking on cell phones to notice a turtle, sometimes not even my truck towing the boat.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by CateP

If it's any consolation, we rescued a painted turtle the other day. We actually relocated it in a nearby pond, FAR from any road. Felt good to do that.

That turtle was probably trying to get to a place to lay eggs; if so, bringing it to a pond, especially an unfamiliar one, was not doing it any favors.

[HomeWood]

I just move them across the street in whatever direction they were going. They're not lost (usually). We have lots of Box turtles here that get hit.

If it's a Snapping turtle that needs a hand, don't be afraid to grab it by the tail if you're brave enough. You won't hurt it and it's head can't reach around to chomp you.

[hilltopper]

That reminds me of a funny story. I had some family coming over to the house one day. They get to the house and pull a large box out of the minivan. I look in the box and there's a large snapping turtle. I ask my Mom why the heck she has a turtle with her. She says she found it down the hill from the house and thought the kids would enjoy bringing it to the pond/marshland that we have about 200 or so yards into the woods behind the house. I suggested we bring it back to where she found it but she was adamant.

A couple of days later I'm in the kitchen doing something and I look out the window and see the snapping turtle walking down the driveway. Over the next few hours I watched its progress as it made its way down the hill presumably back to where Mom found it.

[Pineedles]

The DEEP in CT is about to announce a hunting season on snapping turtles with specific dates for harvest and limit number. Their reasoning is that commercial turtle hunters are diminishing the population of the turtles and by establishing a season the population will be better protected as there are no laws presently governing their capture. On the surface some folks are aghast at this but actually it makes sense.

[CateP]

Originally Posted by Dave R

That turtle was probably trying to get to a place to lay eggs; if so, bringing it to a pond, especially an unfamiliar one, was not doing it any favors.

Hmm. Didn't think about that. Looks like I need to learn some more about turtles crossing the road.

Here is a good resource:
http://www.turtlerescueleague.com/crossing/titr.html

Key take-aways...
"Make sure to put the turtle in the direction it was heading, NEVER TURN THEM AROUND! The turtle is on a mission, and if you turn it around, it will simply go back across the road when you drive away."

"Although you may be tempted to relocate a turtle, don't. Many turtles have "Home Ranges", a territory they call home, and when relocated, they will search out ways back. Besides risking many additional road crossings, some turtles, if they cannot find their way back will stop eating and just wander listlessly."

THANKS DAVE R for the good advice.

[Billy Bob]

Key take-aways...
"Make sure to put the turtle in the direction it was heading, NEVER TURN THEM AROUND! The turtle is on a mission, and if you turn it around, it will simply go back across the road when you drive away."

"Although you may be tempted to relocate a turtle, don't. Many turtles have "Home Ranges", a territory they call home, and when relocated, they will search out ways back. Besides risking many additional road crossings, some turtles, if they cannot find their way back will stop eating and just wander listlessly."

This explains a lot !!! My mother in law has the same issue , also can't eat till she makes it to our house

[Begonezvous]

I was out for bike ride this morning and came across a small turtle crossing a well travelled road. I picked up the little fella and placed he/she on the side of the road (the side he was facing). I hope he had not just turned around to see how much progress he had made?

[aquabones]

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

Key take-aways...
"Make sure to put the turtle in the direction it was heading, NEVER TURN THEM AROUND! The turtle is on a mission, and if you turn it around, it will simply go back across the road when you drive away."

"Although you may be tempted to relocate a turtle, don't. Many turtles have "Home Ranges", a territory they call home, and when relocated, they will search out ways back. Besides risking many additional road crossings, some turtles, if they cannot find their way back will stop eating and just wander listlessly."

This explains a lot !!! My mother in law has the same issue , also can't eat till she makes it to our house

this is a good fact for people trying to help the turtles.

[Misty Blue]

I have been told that when you see a turtle crossing the road it is a female heading to lay eggs. They are very particular about the location.

'Saved two BIG snappers this year. One was as big as a monopoly board!

A motorist had stopped and was warning other drivers of the situatiion and I pulled over. I got a strap put of my truck and passed one end to the helpful driver and we put it in front of the turtles head and it snapped it up. As we were slowly dragging it across the road (same direction!) one irate driver tooted his horn and said "Hurry it up". With a wink and a smile I called back that we were hurd'en turtles and it takes time! He shook his head and with a smile gave us a thumbs up.

Lotsa nice folks out there too!

Misty Blue

[ChocolateGypsy]

Originally Posted by ITD

I'll hit the brakes for animals if there is no one behind me, otherwise I'll run over it, usually they get out of the way, but occasionally........

Slamming brakes on for small animals with someone behind you is dangerous, human life is more important.

i thought drivers were supposed to keep a safe distance so they wouldn't run into a car which had to stop suddenly? (i.e. 1 car length per every 10 mph.) I was also told I was not supposed to overdrive my ability to stop if something should suddenly appear ON the road ahead of me... I wonder how many motorcyclists have been killed by the car behind them?

[RailroadJoe]

Have you driven the roads lately? One car for every 70 miles per hour is standard to some.