What Long thought was a snapping turtle slithering through the upper reaches of the Milwaukee River in Washington County was actually a nearly 4-foot-long alligator, which he promptly shot.

"At first, I thought it was turtle tail," said Long, 31, of Greenfield, who was in the river hunting for duck Saturday. "Then it turned and came back at me. I seen the eyes come up out of the water, but my brain didn't click. This is Wisconsin. There's not supposed to be gators in Wisconsin."