2022 Alligator Season

TreeWalking

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 22, 2014
Messages
273
9 years ago this week. Not giants but I drew the tags in the public draw and hunted on public land in Florida with a crossbow.

Can only hunt from just before sunset until just after sunrise. Electrical storm passed though so got a late start out on the water. Had hired a guy with an airboat. Never been so surrounded by insects that would crawl into your ears, tear ducts, back of shirt, up pant leg, etc.

When the airboat spotlight would come on then were hundreds of insects around those lights in seconds. Maybe 200 in the size of a basketball. Those spotlights would reveal hundreds of pairs of alligator eyes, too. I was on a flooded area which had been dairy lands. The water is intended to leach out chemicals from the soil but alligators soon moved in as is a given there. I think the deepest spot on the lake was 8' and this place was over a mile wide and much longer.

Not giants but was a fun night. You coast up towards a pair of big eyes and then if the alligator does not submerge you are in business. The smell in the boat once you drag one aboard is horrendous and even bleach could not get the stink out of my shoes. And, so, so many bugs. Zero interest in hunting like this again but glad I did. The method of take varies by state so if are interested look at SC, too.

I made chili with some of the meat for a Super Bowl party which was a huge hit. The meat needs cubed or ground a couple of times, imho. I tanned both hides and got a fancy party clutch purse made for my wife and some key rings to give out to friends.

Alligator 1 and 2 open mouth in airboat Melbourne FL Sept 2013 Crossbow.jpg

Alligator mounts.jpg
 
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FLATHEAD

WKR
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
2,297
9 years ago this week. Not giants but I drew the tags in the public draw and hunted on public land in Florida with a crossbow.

Can only hunt from just before sunset until just after sunrise. Electrical storm passed though so got a late start out on the water. Had hired a guy with an airboat. Never been so surrounded by insects that would crawl into your ears, tear ducts, back of shirt, up pant leg, etc.

When the airboat spotlight would come on then were hundreds of insects around those lights in seconds. Maybe 200 in the size of a basketball. Those spotlights would reveal hundreds of pairs of alligator eyes, too. I was on a flooded area which had been dairy lands. The water is intended to leach out chemicals from the soil but alligators soon moved in as is a given there. I think the deepest spot on the lake was 8' and this place was over a mile wide and much longer.

Not giants but was a fun night. You coast up towards a pair of big eyes and then if the alligator does not submerge you are in business. The smell in the boat once you drag one aboard is horrendous and even bleach could not get the stink out of my shoes. And, so, so many bugs. Zero interest in hunting like this again but glad I did. The method of take varies by state so if are interested look at SC, too.

I made chili with some of the meat for a Super Bowl party which was a huge hit. The meat needs cubed or ground a couple of times, imho. I tanned both hides and got a fancy party clutch purse made for my wife and some key rings to give out to friends.

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I fully understand.
I drew a Florida tag once, never applied again.
The bugs were on a level I cant explain.
 
OP
L

Loper

WKR
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Messages
1,104
Some of you have tagged some big gators. Congrats!

You know it’s gator season when you see a big one tied down to the back of an SUV.

661d48fb5100f006908f9cbe9e1f511c.jpg



 

FLATHEAD

WKR
Joined
Jun 27, 2021
Messages
2,297
Yeah, that whole night only was a killer.
Here in Bama it's pretty much the same.
Night only.
I'm not a night person. Gets dark, I need
to be near a bed.
 
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
96
Looking for info on hide care and where to ship?? Can I just freeze it like a deer hide?? also what is the average cost to tan a hide around 10 feet??
 

Jacack

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2018
Messages
650
Location
Florida
Best one we could find Saturday that wanted to cooperate. Not a monster at 9'1" and skinny but good for now.
Will fill the other tag after elk season .
 

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Maz7869

FNG
Joined
Mar 5, 2021
Messages
59
I got two on second week tags, snagged both of them.
 

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elfeyes

FNG
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
21
I got a 5'6" gator on a public land hunt. First one ever. Hopefully next time I'll get one with some size

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