What About Gus?

[Noah M]

http://www.swampsite.com/gus_onebear.html

I came across this, and I wasn't sure what to think. So I'm soliciting opinions from other people before I formulate one of my own. I ask that you also explore the website a bit, there is more to see than just the page linked above. Does anybody here know him?

[Fieldherper]

There is no valid justification to free handling potentially deadly snakes like that. A bite is almost guaranteed to occur eventually. It sets a bad example for all--especially kids. If he gets bitten, who pays for it? Hope he has good insurance to cover the $100,000+ that a bad EDB bite will cost. This behavior doesn't show love, respect, or a genuine curiosity for the animals, imo. I am afraid that it casts all herpers in a negative light as well.

FH

[cbernz]

That first photo, and his bio mentioning Tarzan 3 times in 3 paragraphs, tells me all I need to know, though the several dozen pictures of him manhandling vipers and alligators helps, too. The "Swamplicious" page, featuring average-looking young women baring their cleavage and pointing guns at the camera is a nice touch as well.

As for this guy giving herpers a bad name, I'm not really too worried about that. Here's the first line of Gus' page:

"WARNING: What you are about to read are true life occurrences. This is NOT an educational or training manual on the subject. We advise never to try these stunts due to the high risk and danger involved."

He says it himself: stunts. He's a stuntman, not a herper.

[Noah M]

Wow, I missed the Swamplicious page. What caught me was the overall unprofessional nature of the site, but then he also had this, which seemed well produced.
http://www.swampsite.com/eastern_diamond_back.html

Now I know why it sounds better than the other parts of the site.
https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/f ... damanteus/

He lifted the information straight from the FLMNH page! I call that plagiarism.

I think you're right though that we don't have to worry about him giving a bad name to herpers. I'm still not sure what to think of the whole thing, but these comments are helping to give me perspective.

[mtratcliffe]

I like how there's a portion of his page dedicated to Bible verses, and another section with attractive girls hired for some music video or something grinding on a dude.

Also, what's the most recent thing on his page? Perhaps his luck already ran out.

[Brian Hubbs]

Gator wrestling is just so "old hat"...

[Kelly Mc]

Big man w micropenis.

simple dimple.

[Kelly Mc]

You know, it was worth reading to get a refresh of the Haast quote though.

[jonathan]

In his (extremely limited) defense, when I briefly scrolled down the front page I did catch this sentence near the bottom:

Today Gus doesn’t free handle as much but will use this method ONLY when needed, other than that no reason to free handle venomous snakes for Gus is very aware that he has been lucky.

So there seems to be some acknowledgement there that his previous obsession with freehandling was foolhardy and unnecessary.