We're talking bugs, snakes, reptiles, small to fairly large mammals, and birds beyond count. I loved capturing the frogs, turtles, snakes and large hairy caterpillars, and bringing them home to proudly show my mother and siblings. Bless my mom, as she tolerated my antics despite her loathing for most animals inside the house. There were more than a few occasions where (ahem) something got loose, and it would turn up in the strangest places. Sometimes I found them before any harm (or fear) was done. Other times....well...there was some drama involved. Thankfully Uncle Kevin is an adept Pinto pilot, as the snake never caused an accident.... 
My father loved fishing and hunting, so we boys typically got to tag along for trips in boats, or to a friend's farm to wander the back 40 acres (or 200 acres). Many days and a few nights were spent on the Mississippi or Rock Rivers, or in the aforementioned ponds. My dear friend Becky's father ran a fishing business for a few years, and we'd run lines on the river at night, and check them in the morning.
We never paid for bait - we'd simply drive a truck down a country road, whilst shoving a large, sturdy butterfly net into roadside brush. After a few minutes - it would be filled with all sorts of pissed off insects - some that were mostly harmless.....and always a few that could retaliate! The fish most common in the area included several variations of catfish, spoonbill (or paddlefish), alligator gar, sunfish (blue gill, pumpkins, etc), bass, strippie, carp and the occasional sturgeon.
The catfish, spoonbill, gar and sturgeon could get really big! Three, six or even 10 ft in siez at the record levels. Some weighing 100 lbs or more! The same applied with the Alligator Snapper. During one trip to Lake Spooner (Wisconsin) in the 70's, my brother spotted a huge - potentially record breaking turtle along the bottom of this glassy lake. He shouted with excitement at his discovery, gaining the attention of my dad, Uncle Jim and I. It took me a second to put down my pole and reach the other side, when my father forcefully pushed me back across the boat. We came close to tipping too far and potentially capsizing the boat. Not good in a lake filled with 3-4+ ft Northern Pike and Muskie (essentially fresh water barracudas).
My dad commented that it was "only" an old truck-tire covered in moss....until Uncle Jim noticed it moving and said, "No Lee - that is a turtle!” And it was damned large. The three of them managed to hook it (snag it) and get it to the surface. I saw its huge back break the surface, and it really looked like a large, moss-covered rock. As soon as the turtle realized it might be in danger - it took its four powerful legs, gave a brief push - and promptly broke all three fishing lines (we were using maybe 10 lbs test).
By the time I was allowed to safely a take peek over the side (it was about 15 ft deep), it was just hitting the silky bottom, and the mud and debris wrapped it in a murky cloak of protection. We spent the better part of the hour trying to find and capture it....but it was gone. We estimated the weight conservatively at 150 lbs, perhaps as much at 200 lbs. It was much bigger than the alligator snapper being held by two men (picture below).
Moving away from the Midwest, I discovered theonly "wildlife" in Southern California involves going to Hollywood or East LA, so I decided to make a portion of our yard a mini-wildlife sanctuary. My relatives Barre & Linda would be proud - as I have one painted turtle, 3 red-ear sliders, an unknown (but probably shrinking) number crawdads, several dozen large (well fed) goldfish and three catfish, which at last sighting were about 20 inches with rather gaping mouths on them.
PS - they all LOVE cat food! The pond also attracts dragon and damselflies, birds and lizards along with other visitors. We had one heron drop by - but either the dogs or the cats discourage it from visiting. And a red-tailed hawk landed on the swingset, but I think it was after our miniature rabbit. Our cat, Wishes, was initially stalking it - which I noticed from my desk. Going to investigate, I was surprised to see the large bird of prey on our swingset. It was eyeing the cat as either a pest - or perhaps a meal. Thankfully opened the door, which caused the hawk to re-evaluate its dinner prospects, and it gracefully flew off. As good of a hunter as Wishes is, that bird would have ripped that poor kitty to shreds!
