Posted: 8/20/2010 1:27:05 PM EDT
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I have beening thinking about going on an alligator hunt and have a few questions.
First what is the best state to go to? I would assume Florida but it appears that the tag for a non resident is $1000. Georgia and a few other states appear to be cheaper. Secondly, does anyone know of any good guides? I do not want a "zoo hunt" (drum up the whole experience only to find out that it is a half tame animal in a fenced in area) that I have seen some guides pass off. Finally, some states allow the use of firearms depending when and where the alligators are hunted. Personally the idea of hunting one with a firearm sounds more exciting then using a heavy fishing line and a bang stick but this is all new to me. Any other suggestions would be appreicated. |
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I am a gator hunter myself here in Florida. It is the biggest thrill I have ever had to this day and I have hunted some weird stuff. In my opinion, hunting with a firearm would be way less exciting then
hooking the gator pulling him to the boat/bank and spearing his back (death roll!) then fight him and pull him over again and use a bang stick to pul a .357 mag into his brain. My last kill was 12.5 feet and 600 pounds, it took 8 .357's to the skull/brain to get him to stop moving. As for guides, I know two people but I can not vouch for them, as I always go with out a guide. Both guides I know are here in Florida as well and work only certain areas so you would have to get a tag for their areas. I highly recommend you going. |
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Went last Sept in GA, it was a BLAST! Pulled a tag third year.
Was only $50 non res, plus cheap,3 day hunting or fishing license(<$10) but now up to $250, same as SC. SC appears to be the current, hot lick, but you missed GA andSC's draws for this year. We used harpoons, then gaffs, then severed spines at base of skulls. Bang stick was never loaded. 
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Went last Sept in GA, it was a BLAST! Pulled a tag third year. Was only $50 non res, plus cheap,3 day hunting or fishing license(<$10) but now up to $250, same as SC. SC appears to be the current, hot lick, but you missed GA andSC's draws for this year. We used harpoons, then gaffs, then severed spines at base of skulls. Bang stick was never loaded. Did you take 2? What size? |
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A few months ago I thought about going but looked at Florida's fee. 
Maybe next summer I will look into a kayaking trip to the keys and find a gator hunt. Those combined would make a perfect vacation! Those two options are pretty far apart, unless you somehow get a Glades tag... which I dont think they give to non residents. |
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A few months ago I thought about going but looked at Florida's fee.
Maybe next summer I will look into a kayaking trip to the keys and find a gator hunt. Those combined would make a perfect vacation! Those two options are pretty far apart, unless you somehow get a Glades tag... which I dont think they give to non residents. I wasn't thinking of hunting near the Keys. Just wanted to put the two into the same 1-2 week vacation. |
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A few months ago I thought about going but looked at Florida's fee.
Maybe next summer I will look into a kayaking trip to the keys and find a gator hunt. Those combined would make a perfect vacation! Those two options are pretty far apart, unless you somehow get a Glades tag... which I dont think they give to non residents. I wasn't thinking of hunting near the Keys. Just wanted to put the two into the same 1-2 week vacation. Ahh, makes alot more sense. I travel to the keys to kayak and fish all the time, its an 7 hour drive or $99 flight and my brother lives down there. Its a great vacation spot. |
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Went last Sept in GA, it was a BLAST! Pulled a tag third year. Was only $50 non res, plus cheap,3 day hunting or fishing license(<$10) but now up to $250, same as SC. SC appears to be the current, hot lick, but you missed GA andSC's draws for this year. We used harpoons, then gaffs, then severed spines at base of skulls. Bang stick was never loaded. Did you take 2? What size? Brother and I each pulled a tag. 6'9"and 9'3". Saw some MUCH bigger, but couldn't get on them and/or missed a few (sorry, we were new to hurling harpoons at WOT at 0200  )
2009 SC AVERAGE was over 9'!!!!!!! (it will come down fast, as a few seasons pass) |
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Wow, thanks for all of the information!
So it sounds like South Carolina and Georgia are two of the more economical options for a non resident hunt. I will make sure to get into the drawing for next year. Maybe hunting then with a harpoon or the like wouldn't be too bad. I kind of wanted to use my 10mm and was bumed that some states only allow a bangstick. Any other suggestions? The information has been great. |
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Wow, thanks for all of the information! Maybe hunting then with a harpoon or the like wouldn't be too bad. I kind of wanted to use my 10mm and was bumed that some states only allow a bangstick. I was at the National Trappers Assn convention before hand, and had a chance to speak with a gentleman who has taken hundreds of nuisance gators over the years. He STRONGLY recommended a harpoon: said bows and Xbows are limited by the weight of the line-much above 250# test messes with flight, and a big gator WILL break it, if taken in downed timber, stumps,etc Talked to a few big guides and most told me the same. That said, I COULD have used anything, as we were wide open, in near full strength seawater (EAST of I-95, could hear the surf! )
Had mullet,shrimp etc, jumping IN the boat, while blasting around at night! |