Gator Hunting Who's done it? Need advice

desertloper

desertloper

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I'm planning a group hunt for gators..don't know much about it but it looks fun.

I've had to resort to researching and calling outfitters based on what google searches yield.

I'd really like input advice from members here who have gone...specifically;
1. outfitter recommendations
2. Length suggestions
3. Taxidermy references

Overall, the price is more than I think it should be..I should save the $$$ for trophy fees in Africa...but a 2-3 day hunt fits my current schedule better than another 2-3 weeks!

Thanks all
 
Hi desertloper,

I have taken a "few" gators over the years, the area in Louisiana where we hunted received 140 tags per year for hunting and market . Last September we shot 36 in one morning.

I would obviously recommend me, but we lost the area due to flooding in the area. I will have tags for 2016 in Texas and it is usually very good.
Most places its hook and line for gators and its typically you take what is there, if its small you cut it loose and keep going. Anything 8-9' is good, 9+ great and over 10" is fantastic. The biggest gator that we took was 12'6" and that was a monster, don't believe all that stuff on swamp people. We usually take a few 10'-11' each year, but most are 8-9'.

There are a couple great guys down here that do some excellent work, I would also look at the site sponsor Artistry of wildlife, they have a great reputation.
 
James Jeffrey - HuntingAgent.com said:
if its small you cut it loose and keep going.
Click to expand...

James,

I would be a little careful about that statement as it is not legal to do this in the State Of Louisiana. I have hunted alligators commercially since 1979.

From LDW&F
"No person shall release any alligator from any taking device for any purpose without first dispatching the alligator, except in the event that an alligator is hooked and the hunter's quota has been reached, the hunter must immediately release the alligator in the most humane method possible. All hooks and lines shall be removed when an alligator hunter's quota is reached."
 
Thanks Mike70560,

We hunt them in LA and Texas in public and private waters and I was not being specific in my reply.
 
What do most people do taxidermy wise? Unless you shoot a small gator most people don't have room for a full size gator. I'd think head mount is a good way to go but who do you go to for the making of belts, wallets, etc with the rest of the skin?
 
James,

I'm planning a group hunt 4 hunters some time next year.

My guys prefer to do it with bow/crossbow/ harpoon over rifle hunting and we'd love to do it on airboats.

If you have something that fits this, let me know.
 
Give Troy Landry a call or Choot em an email :)

upload_2015-8-25_7-42-48.png
 
Bsums said:
What do most people do taxidermy wise? Unless you shoot a small gator most people don't have room for a full size gator. I'd think head mount is a good way to go but who do you go to for the making of belts, wallets, etc with the rest of the skin?
Click to expand...

I see a lot of guys tan the gator for leather and then do the head mount. I have had a few guys do full mounts but it does take up a bit of room.
 
Here is what I had done with my sons gator, he was a 10'er
image.jpg

Don't mind the half assed paint job I had to do something quick because o had enough people over to hep me hang it!
Cheers,
Cody
 
Desertloper,
I've had a guy hunt with me this year who does gator hunts. Please let me know if you would like me to pass on some contact info.
From what I've heard, he's up there with the best.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen
 
Bullthrower338 said:
Here is what I had done with my sons gator, he was a 10'erView attachment 47325
Don't mind the half assed paint job I had to do something quick because o had enough people over to hep me hang it!
Cheers,
Cody
Click to expand...

Like your sons gator.

I thought the paint job was something new and chic. If you hadn't said anything you would have had me fooled.;)
 
KMG Hunting Safaris said:
Desertloper,
I've had a guy hunt with me this year who does gator hunts. Please let me know if you would like me to pass on some contact info.
From what I've heard, he's up there with the best.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen
Click to expand...


Please do Marius. Thank You
 
The best mounts I have seen are the natural hornback like Bullthrower338 has and a half mount with reeds on a log. As far as harvesting gators, I have used reel and rods and bow and arrows. Be careful of the game laws on using archery equipmetns as they can be different state to state. I've done it several times here in Alabama after myself or friends drew tags and it's usually a lot of work. Good luck and hold out for a 10' plus.
 
Thanks Wheels,
That gator is backed with 1-1/2" of plywood. I had to wait till I had help coming over. I made a paper outline of the mount and pinned it up to see where it best fit. I painted the area first, I definitely ain't a trend setter, but I actually thought it looked kinda cool and was going to leave it that way until my girlfriend chimed in on my piss poor taste in design!lol
Cheers,
Cody
 
This a good option for a "shoulder" mount. I killed this one a couple of years ago.
 

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I think it was from this gator

 

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Big head on that gator. I like the mount. The football makes a nice comparison.
 
Hi desertloper

Haven't done any gator hunts ouside my own state, but if you would like to talk just send me a PM. I took an 8 footer female last year and this is a pick of the 10 footer I took this year with nothing but a Harpoon and the knife in his mouth.
20150827_011939.jpg
 
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