Alligator hunt

[Bullthrower338]

I’ve used Janik Alligators LLC in El Campo, TX. Just had a euro and leather done. They did a good job.

 

[gizmo]

I need to call the outfitter when I have a block of time . Looks like hook then shoot. As for size It is based on increments . Not sure if I’ll do it again so I’m starting to lean towards the 9-10 ft range . I will do it for garments and not a rug been looking at the horn back and belly skins. Isn’t it possible to do both? I was thinking horn back tops might look really need on a pair of shoes.
American is going to be my choice I looked at a bunch when I put this up and they seemed like the best. All the feedback from you guys has backed up that thought . Right now the main things I need to figure out is can my meat be ready by Saturday night if I shoot the gator Thursday . I’ll get the outfitters taxi info and discuss skinning it prepping it and getting it sent to American . I think I’ll pay them to tan ( thinking something in a brown or green) and have it shipped to me while I look at the leather goods makers . I figure I’ll have a year to find someone to make some dress shoes and accompaniments .
Appreciate everything posted so far. You all never disappoint . @gizmo I’m going to reach out sometime when it’s quiet . I’d love to hear some ideas from you

Anytime!

 

[nomspc]

Mrs. Nomspc and I went gator hunting on Valentine’s Day. Took this old boy, 11’9”, lots of broken teeth, with a suppressed AR in 300 Ham’r, 55 yards broadside in the water through the brain. Hide is at American, skull arrived last night.

 

[PARA45]

When I hunted my gators in Florida, you couldn't have any type of firearms in the boat. The gator had to be gigged and then shot with a bang stick. I used a 44 Mag bang stick, and we used these long poles with a metal point with a barb attached to a float to track them down. Something like a whale harpoon. Talk about being close and personal with these prehistoric animals. Getting the big one on the boats and reaching into the murky waters of the Everglades to grab his mouth to tape it, talk about some serious pucker factor. Oh, and all this was done at night with flashlights. I guess we could say that this was my first dangerous game hunt. Not sure, if those rules have changed or not.

 

[Franco]

Mrs. Nomspc and I went gator hunting on Valentine’s Day. Took this old boy, 11’9”, lots of broken teeth, with a suppressed AR in 300 Ham’r, 55 yards broadside in the water through the brain. Hide is at American, skull arrived last night.

View attachment 685061View attachment 685051View attachment 685050

Nice gator. I love the skull. Who did it?

 

[nomspc]

Nice gator. I love the skull. Who did it?

Chris Fortner, Fortner Taxidermy, Loganville GA

 

[Siennacoyote]

Called the guide today to ask questions . Already have a bad feeling . Guide was short and didn’t want to answer questions . I asked about method of take . He says we walk around looking for gators then you shoot. I stated I thought it was snag and shoot . He says we can do that too . That way is better . I ask if I just use the directions my wife received and go to that location or will they call me the day before with locations . He stated that they already sent me instructions . I corrected him and stated they sent something to my wife but I haven’t spoken to anyone . I asked about the processing turnarounds for his recommended butcher . He tells me he doesn’t know how busy he is. I ask for his number so I can call the butcher then. He states he can text me . Last question was about skinning and he says we do the skinning . He text me two numbers and I ask if that’s two butchers or different numbers for the same guy. The response was I don’t know . …… seriously debating just eating my deposit on this one .

 

[Mauser3000]

Called the guide today to ask questions . Already have a bad feeling . Guide was short and didn’t want to answer questions . I asked about method of take . He says we walk around looking for gators then you shoot. I stated I thought it was snag and shoot . He says we can do that too . That way is better . I ask if I just use the directions my wife received and go to that location or will they call me the day before with locations . He stated that they already sent me instructions . I corrected him and stated they sent something to my wife but I haven’t spoken to anyone . I asked about the processing turnarounds for his recommended butcher . He tells me he doesn’t know how busy he is. I ask for his number so I can call the butcher then. He states he can text me . Last question was about skinning and he says we do the skinning . He text me two numbers and I ask if that’s two butchers or different numbers for the same guy. The response was I don’t know . …… seriously debating just eating my deposit on this one .

That doesn’t sound like a good start to me. I would treat an Alligator hunt like any other hunt and get some references that can give you an idea what to expect. @Franco do you have any recommendations? Don’t you go to Louisiana?

 

[nomspc]

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[Franco]

That doesn’t sound like a good start to me. I would treat an Alligator hunt like any other hunt and get some references that can give you an idea what to expect. @Franco do you have any recommendations? Don’t you go to Louisiana?

I agree, and yes - I go to Louisiana.

Safari Unlimited 573-544-2041

 

[chuckwellington]

I hunted Florida gators twice. Both public water lottery tags. No outfitter. First time we took a 10’ and 8’10”. Second time we couldn’t find one really worth the hassle. As stated by @PARA45, no firearms allowed at all and only during certain seasons. Private land hunts are different. Anything goes and no closed season. So I would be specific about the experience you want from this outfitter.

When I was researching taxidermy and products from tanned hides, I found it to be pretty expensive. By the time you pay for tanning and then someone to make a pair of boots, you’d spend less buying something made from farmed gators. I ended up doing a skull myself. There’s apparently no money really in selling a wild alligator. It might be cool to tan the belly for products and keep the back that’s normally tossed but I don’t know how you’d do that.

I also butchered one of mine myself. They aren’t easy and I don’t recommend it unless you’ve got help. Seemed like all the processors charged the same per pound for butchering as they did for someone to come in and buy it pre-packaged. I know there’s some that will (or at least used to) pay for whole gators but I think it might depend on the market because I couldn’t find any in my area.

In the end, I gave away one whole animal and the skin of the other and kept the skull and meat of the bigger one.

Good luck in your venture.