Florida Alligator Hunting How-Tos:
Each state has laws and guidelines as to weapon, permits,
licensing and so forth. Make sure you check the local laws
where you plan to Alligator Hunt. It is very important to
know that there are vile bacteria growing in every gator's
mouth. If you are just scratched by the teeth of an
alligator, seek medical attention immediately to ward off
infection. The Alligator is a very aggressive
animal to hunt. Make every safety precaution recommended
by the pro hunting guide and follow all hunting laws.
Alligator Scouting Tips:
- Eye/Nostril Exposure. The inches between the
alligator's eye and nose is a good estimate of the length in
feet of the alligator. For example, if you have about
7 inches from the eye to the nose, you should have about a 7
foot alligator.
- Look for matted down grass or barren ground where the
alligator has made a path.
- Look for claw prints or crawl marks on levees and banks.
- Typically alligators feed at night and early in the
morning.
Alligator Harvesting Techniques:
(Check your state for approved harvesting methods)
Harpoons: Harpoons have been used as an effective
method for attaching a restraining line to harvest an alligator
that is consistent with Commission rules. Harpoons or gigs
consist of a penetrating point such as a straightened fish hook,
detachable dart, fish gig, or spear point attached to a
restraining line (a diagram is included on page 14). A float may
be attached to the restraining line, but it must always be
attended. The harpoon point is typically mounted on a pole,
arrow shaft, or spear.
Snatch Hooks: Snatch hooks also have been used as an
effective method for attaching a restraining line to harvest an
alligator that is consistent with Commission rules. A snatch
hook is a weighted treble hook attached to a restraining line
that is hand-held or used in conjunction with a long, stout
fishing rod and reel and heavy line. The hook is typically cast
over the alligator or over the area where he last submerged. The
hook is then retrieved until it contacts the alligator, at which
point it is set with a strong pull. The line should be kept
tight until the animal fatigues and can be approached; the hook
often falls out if the line is allowed to go slack.
Baited Wooden Pegs: Baited wooden pegs less than two
(2) inches in length have been used as an effective method for
attaching a restraining line to harvest an alligator that is
consistent with Commission rules. A baited wooden peg is
attached to a restraining line that is hand-held or used in
conjunction with a long, stout fishing rod and reel and heavy
line. The baited peg is typically thrown or cast near the
alligator or near the area where it last submerged.
Snares: Wire snares attached to a restraining line
loosely mounted (using a small rubber band or piece of tape) to
the end of a pole are most commonly used to secure the alligator
once it has been harpooned and brought under control near the
boat. Snares must be hand-held or attached to a hand-held device
and cannot be left unattended.
Bang Sticks: Bang sticks have been used as an
effective tool for humanely killing alligators attached to a
restraining line. Bang sticks or power heads are devices
typically used by divers to kill fish. They
discharge a firearm cartridge by contact and are effective for
killing alligators. For a humane kill, the shot
should be centered immediately behind the skull cap and angled
toward the brain. It is recommended that
the bang stick be used in compliance with the manufacturer's
safety recommendations. The bang stick
should be discharged below the waterline when killing an
alligator to reduce the potential for aerial
dispersal of bullet and bone fragments. Keep in mind that the
alligator must be attached to a restraining
line using methods such as those describe above before it is
legal to use a bang stick to kill an alligator.
Because it is difficult to ensure that all of the shot is
removed from the alligator meat during
processing, some alligator meat processors may not accept
alligator carcasses if the alligator was
killed with a bang stick using a shotshell.
More Alligator Hunting info from Florida Wildlife. |
863-634-3262 - In Florida, Alligators can be taken year round with
any weapon. We typically hunt with a rifle or bow from a
swamp buggy on private property. We have access to several
different ranches with literally hundreds of alligators ranging
from 4 to 13 feet. If you don't get the gator you size you
want - you don't pay! 