Ernie Brown, Jr. (aka the Turtleman) has been diving into murky Kentucky ponds in search of snapping turtles for nearly 40 years.

Born and raised in Washington County, KY, he spent his childhood exploring the woods and learning the ways of the animals that occupy them.

Turtleman caught his first snapping turtle, a 25-pounder, when he was just seven-years-old, after his father and uncle taught him the risky technique.

^[0]