Dick, I remember your article in Yankee Magazine on John Rogers, the turtle catcher. You had a photo of the pond at Woodstock filled with skinny dippers if my memory serves me.
Thanks for this. A much needed defense! It took me years to unlearn the lesson taught me by my maternal grandmother who, on encountering a large snapping turtle crossing our island road one long-ago June day, stopped the car and fetched an ax-toting woodsman to separate it from its head. I knew John well. When I worked for the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife he’d show up with the biggest snappers he caught, some over 70 pounds. These he would always release. He had a list of his best snapper lakes, coded because he imagined someone might get hold of it and go snapper hunting. For a long time he resisted my efforts to do a piece about him. Finally, after I left the Division, he gave in. He kept the turtles he caught in an old swimming pool, and when he had enough he’d pack them into his van and drive them to NY restaurants. He had scars on his neck, but not on his legs. I asked him why. He explained that the snappers would never bite him when he waded among them in the pool. But when he had to slam on the brakes of his snapper-filled van, they’d lurch forward and nail him. Since then, I’ve tickled submerged snappers under the chin when snorkeling with impunity. Other turtles retreat into their shells when threatened. But snappers can’t, so they snap.
Ted, if you have posted your profile of Rogers anywhere, could you post a link here or send me a copy? I had the same experience, after Mel Allen at Yankee told me about him and asked me to write a story. John ignored my requests for a long time. But I'd heard a rumor about where he had a cabin in Maine. One day, when some other assignment I was working on fell through or got delayed, I jumped in the car and drove north. Found the cabin and cornered him there late that afternoon. We talked well into the night and I went home with the story. He remained a friend until his death a few years ago.
I went looking for a copy of my story the other day and couldn't find it, but it's around here somewhere and I'll send it when it turns up. Sorry about that experience with your grandma. The mindless savagery people inflict on these guys or rather girls is disheartening.
No links to Mass. Wildlife Magazine. But I found this piece by my late pal Mark Blazis. I hadn’t realized that the world record was caught by John.
Outdoors: It’s a snap to hunt, enjoy turtles
Massachusetts proudly claims the world’s largest snapping turtles. Commercial turtle hunter John Rogers took the 76-1/2-pound world record in 1996 out of Lake Rohuata in Orange. It likely had spent much of its early life in and around the Millers River. Rogers sold it live to the Toronto Zoo.
A good sized lady snapper was crossing our main road which caused the driver across from me to stop, said which fortunately led me to stop. About 5 cars behind me folks were getting a bit agitated-of course they couldn’t see the reason for our delay. After some ambling she successfully crossed. Felt good.
I love it, especially since I know the road and some of the neighbors. And you know that dune, where the salt marsh exits. It will be harder to see the turtles in August when the babies hatch. They're maybe half the size of the palm of your hand, and they also have to cross the road to get back to water. Glad to hear mama made it.
Recently had the pleasure of watching a large lady haul herself across a path en route to her pond. She paused for a photo and some respectful observation. What a face!
Fascinating as always! We were seriously frightened as kids when our fishing line reeled up to reveal a snapping turtle on the hook. We’d cautiously cut the line and back into the murky Cedar River it would go…🙂
I try to not walk on snapper eggs that are regularly laid right near where we live. Have never been brave, or foolish enough, or strong enough to lift such a huge snapper.
Dick, I remember your article in Yankee Magazine on John Rogers, the turtle catcher. You had a photo of the pond at Woodstock filled with skinny dippers if my memory serves me.
Evan
That sounds right.
Thanks for this. A much needed defense! It took me years to unlearn the lesson taught me by my maternal grandmother who, on encountering a large snapping turtle crossing our island road one long-ago June day, stopped the car and fetched an ax-toting woodsman to separate it from its head. I knew John well. When I worked for the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife he’d show up with the biggest snappers he caught, some over 70 pounds. These he would always release. He had a list of his best snapper lakes, coded because he imagined someone might get hold of it and go snapper hunting. For a long time he resisted my efforts to do a piece about him. Finally, after I left the Division, he gave in. He kept the turtles he caught in an old swimming pool, and when he had enough he’d pack them into his van and drive them to NY restaurants. He had scars on his neck, but not on his legs. I asked him why. He explained that the snappers would never bite him when he waded among them in the pool. But when he had to slam on the brakes of his snapper-filled van, they’d lurch forward and nail him. Since then, I’ve tickled submerged snappers under the chin when snorkeling with impunity. Other turtles retreat into their shells when threatened. But snappers can’t, so they snap.
Nat Geo had a picture of the weigh-in
Ted, if you have posted your profile of Rogers anywhere, could you post a link here or send me a copy? I had the same experience, after Mel Allen at Yankee told me about him and asked me to write a story. John ignored my requests for a long time. But I'd heard a rumor about where he had a cabin in Maine. One day, when some other assignment I was working on fell through or got delayed, I jumped in the car and drove north. Found the cabin and cornered him there late that afternoon. We talked well into the night and I went home with the story. He remained a friend until his death a few years ago.
I went looking for a copy of my story the other day and couldn't find it, but it's around here somewhere and I'll send it when it turns up. Sorry about that experience with your grandma. The mindless savagery people inflict on these guys or rather girls is disheartening.
No links to Mass. Wildlife Magazine. But I found this piece by my late pal Mark Blazis. I hadn’t realized that the world record was caught by John.
Outdoors: It’s a snap to hunt, enjoy turtles
Massachusetts proudly claims the world’s largest snapping turtles. Commercial turtle hunter John Rogers took the 76-1/2-pound world record in 1996 out of Lake Rohuata in Orange. It likely had spent much of its early life in and around the Millers River. Rogers sold it live to the Toronto Zoo.
Sorry. I've written nothing about him, but I will try to find the piece published in Mass. Wildlife.
A good sized lady snapper was crossing our main road which caused the driver across from me to stop, said which fortunately led me to stop. About 5 cars behind me folks were getting a bit agitated-of course they couldn’t see the reason for our delay. After some ambling she successfully crossed. Felt good.
I love it, especially since I know the road and some of the neighbors. And you know that dune, where the salt marsh exits. It will be harder to see the turtles in August when the babies hatch. They're maybe half the size of the palm of your hand, and they also have to cross the road to get back to water. Glad to hear mama made it.
Lovely piece. Damn, you’re good! Geoff (
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Thank you, sir.
What a wonderful tale and magnificent creature. Great picture of you with the big one. Love the happy ending.
Recently had the pleasure of watching a large lady haul herself across a path en route to her pond. She paused for a photo and some respectful observation. What a face!
Very frustrating that Substack doesn't let you post pictures in notes. I'd love to see it.
Here’s a link to a BlueSky post…2 photos. https://bsky.app/profile/laraber.bsky.social/post/3llwegdz3dc2m
Thank you. That face reminds me of one or two nuns who taught me in grade school.
Fascinating as always! We were seriously frightened as kids when our fishing line reeled up to reveal a snapping turtle on the hook. We’d cautiously cut the line and back into the murky Cedar River it would go…🙂
I try to not walk on snapper eggs that are regularly laid right near where we live. Have never been brave, or foolish enough, or strong enough to lift such a huge snapper.