2022 Alligator Season

[Loper]

How’s everyone’s gator season going? Anyone got any big ones yet? What’s been your method, baiting, snagging them with treble hook on a rod, crossbow, etc? Where are you hunting?

I know in Florida not every phase has started but they will soon.

I didn’t see a thread for this year yet so iI thought I’d start one. Post photos if you have any.

 

[Dunndm]

Always wanted to gator hunt.. following for the pics!


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[philos]

My low country brethren will be on 'em soon.

 

[bobr1]

Interesting topic. I’m in the west and forget about alligator hunting. There should be a sub for that lol. I’d actually be really fascinated about seeing and reading about this topic. I need to research about nonresident alligator hunting.

 

[hunterjmj]

I'm here for pictures as well. Never been to the south but if I do I want to hunt for them.

 

[Texastrouthunter]

Ive got my hunt Sep 12-16, can't wait!!

 

[Mike Islander]

I'm here for pictures as well. Never been to the south but if I do I want to hunt for them.

They are here waiting on you. I've seen 10+ footers up close. A little intimidating if you happen to be in the water...float fishing in an inner tube.

 

[Jacack]

I got tags for my local lake this year. Lake Trafford. 4 season so it starts Monday.

Going scouting tomorrow with my 9yr son. He is excited to get a gator.

Going to probably snag but do have some hog lungs on the required wooden pegs if we see a good one we can't snag.

Not many huge ones on my area but hoping for 9-10 ft

 

[Loebs]

I didn't draw this year, but two guys at work did and my BIL. So far 10' and a 9'6". Not to bad. Heat and lots of rain are making all the difference this week. We always use a combination of baiting after the sun sets and throwing snatch hooks during daylight. Here's a 10'8" from past season.

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[Carr5vols]

Not mine but impressive.

 

[Carr5vols]

If you have not seen this video or story very interesting. Guy was a mile from a river when this one walked by...

 

[hunterjmj]

What all do you guys do with the meat? I've had it a few times and thought it was great. Can you grind it and make sausage or make burgers? As you can tell im ignorant to what you do with it. I'm curious because I'd like to kill one when we go to Florida for an anniversary trip. I'd like to bring the meat home if I'd be lucky enough to get one.

 

[StorMay05]

Personally I keep the ribs and legs for grilling. Keep the tail meat for frying in nuggets. If you clean it yourself make sure to get all, and I mean every last bit of silver skin off. A little bit can really mess up the taste.

 

[realunlucky]

Interesting topic. I’m in the west and forget about alligator hunting. There should be a sub for that lol. I’d actually be really fascinated about seeing and reading about this topic. I need to research about nonresident alligator hunting.

Bobr1 they hunt them in September! I had plenty of points before my schedule opened in September and I went last year. It was nothing like this guy from out west had ever seen before. Glad I went and experienced it for sure.

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[realunlucky]

What all do you guys do with the meat? I've had it a few times and thought it was great. Can you grind it and make sausage or make burgers? As you can tell im ignorant to what you do with it. I'm curious because I'd like to kill one when we go to Florida for an anniversary trip. I'd like to bring the meat home if I'd be lucky enough to get one.

I asked my guide about this. He said you'll want to fry it. Yeah I know you can fry it but how else do you cook it? He smiled and said you can change the breading you fry it in.

I've smoked some and it wasn't bad but yeah we fry it.

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[hunterjmj]

I watched video where these guys bbb'd a whole gator then chopped up all the meat and made samiches on hoggie buns. It looked pretty dang good.

 

[Dunndm]

I’ve heard when you fry it lightly with breading it tastes identical to breaded chicken


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[Forkieslayer]

I got my first gator last weekend. Took 6 years of applying in GA and the hunt only lasted 1 hour. He was almost 10 ft and ended up with 67.5 pounds of meat from him.

 

[hunterjmj]

View attachment 448242
I got my first gator last weekend. Took 6 years of applying in GA and the hunt only lasted 1 hour. He was almost 10 ft and ended up with 67.5 pounds of meat from him.

That's awesome! Congrats!

 

[TSAMP]

If you have not seen this video or story very interesting. Guy was a mile from a river when this one walked by...

Perfect. A new unrealistic fear for when I walk in to the stand in the dark. Thanks for that.