Related funny story, the ONLY trouble I've ever had with a Wildlife Officer was when I tried SAVING a gator at my previous home.
During a particularly dry year, I got quite a shock finding a 5' gator crossing our dry yard as it was on a trek to find a new home (guessing where ever it came from had dried up). I would have been ok with leaving it be on its trek but the Mrs. and visiting M.I.L. freaked out over the perceived risk to 3 young cousins also visiting who honestly were so crazy scared of the gator they weren't about to put themselves in harms way.
Tried calling the FL nuisance gator hotline but it was after hours and didn't meet emergency criteria (actively attacking, in carport area, etc). Sooooo.... with perfect river home 5 miles from the house I decided to play Crocodile Dundee and capture it. Called my neighbor and asked for his assistance. At first he was really big on the idea of shooting it in the head but slowly warmed to the idea of getting a laugh or two watching me try to wrangle it. My plan was to use a root bar to pin the head down and then wrap it up. It had moved at crawling speed the entire time I watched it... until the first attempt at pinning it with the root bar.
Dadgum sucker did multiple 180 spins and lunges at lightning fast speeds. Ultimately though we got him pinned down, I taped him up, and put him in my truck for a trip to release him at the local river.
Rarely had seen wildlife officers at this particular river, but as fate would have it there are 3 officers parked at the mouth doing some sort of sting operation as I pull into the dirt parking area. Versus driving away and still having the darn gator to deal with, I pull up directly to one of the officers, roll down my window, and explain that I'm there to release an alligator to a wonderful home. Officer just shakes his head for about 5 seconds, and then proceeds to tell me that transport is illegal, and had I been caught with it in transit no one ever would have believed my intent to release it alive. Says he'll take it from there, but not to test my luck again.
100% true story. :emoji_joy: