Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that a low-draw-weight bow will do as long as you are comfortable shooting with it. Bowhunter Editor and "Bowhunter TV" host Curt Wells visits with Josh Johnson of Spot Hogg at the 2023 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. If the gator is still, the body will be way below the head at the surface, so aim accordingly. However, it draws hunters from different places to accept and experience the challenge it offers because of the limited areas where hunting them is legal. Get as close as you can to the animal and when the reticle turns red, throw your lasso at the animal. The fishing (hook and line) method is the most common and is the only method allowed on public areas. Redding Reloading Equipment has added a New 3-Die Set for the 300 HAMRa bottleneck cartridge based on a modified .223 Remington case necked up to 30-caliber. I Personally have probably set up more xbows specifically for alligator hunting then most any bow shop around. The 5-year-old boy from Goodrich was part of a hunting crew that recently killed an 800-pound, 12-foot-6-inch alligator that has wildlife experts shaking their heads. The Alligator is one of the larger animals in Red Dead Redemption 2. Luckily for us, the torrential downpours of rain generally stopped during the nighttime hours, which allowed us to hunt. *As with any hunt, regulations vary by state, and it is best to check with the local state game and fish to ensure you are hunting within the law. Another might have a trip to South Africa. If you buy new, Land advises using normal draw weights, but stresses hunters should stick to whatever they are comfortable with. Hunter Accused of Killing 2 Pet Dogs Mistaken for Coyotes, How to Beat Target Panic with Levi Morgan. Photos: Florida police officer lassos lost alligator While others may assist the permitted hunter, all participants (including permittee) must possess a valid South Carolina hunting license. A 10-year-old Texas girl shot and killed an 800-pound alligator Sunday with crossbow from about 15 yards on the Guadalupe River in South Texas. When it comes to hunting alligators, shotguns are the best option. If youre looking for a unique adventure in which you have the opportunity to harvest an apex predator with a stick and string, look no further than the American alligator. In what was certainly a fitting unveiling to begin the company's 90th Anniversary celebration, the bow even though it showcases an aluminum riser still comes with a lot of the features associated with the original Takedown recurve bows. This is when all heck broke loose. When bowhunting an alligator, you will use a heavy arrow with a harpoon or broadhead on its end tied to a buoy with a long nylon string attached. You can achieve this shot if the alligator is facing away and you are following behind it. Furthermore, make sure that you are in an elevated position as you shoot the alligator to ensure good penetration. The area holds alligator gar, redfish and black drum all waiting for you to take shots at. Then, without reason, the gator slapped its tail and headed away from us. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Pre-charged pneumatic airbows. "I've had experienced hunters who have taken Africa's Big 5 completely freeze up on a gator and not shoot," Morrell said. But, if a good sized gator dives and doesnt reappear right away, they arent going far and are worth waiting for. Patience also comes in handy as you will most likely have a few blown stalks before you successfully arrow a gator. To shoot an alligator with a gun, you must be on private property (including private waters entirely . Affordable compared to other states with higher amounts imposed on non-residents, There are separate hunting seasons for core and non-core areas, Those who hunt in the non-core areas have a bag limit of one alligator for every person per license year, Alligators captured on a taking device such as a line set, gig, snare, or lawful archery equipment need immediate kill. Get a closer look at the Smith & Wesson Model 350, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series. The reptile, whose size is at . License Fees: Hunting licenses are $15 for residents and $100 for non-residents. Most of these types of hunts charge by the foot. Gator hunting requires patience. Hunting dangerous game with a bow is exciting, but having an alligator come directly toward you at only 10 feet is definitely a bowhunting rush. It's just like playing tug-of-war." A Beginner's Guide to Bowfishing for Gators | An Official Journal Of Hunting hours for alligators in Florida run from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Buy some good headlamps and be ready for a long, exciting night. As you let the gator swim off, make sure you follow the buoy. Use of baited hooks is not legal. People hunt alligators for a variety of reasons. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. But, just like Morrell had rehearsed with her, with one squeeze Jesse drew, and by the time the gator was within 10 feet, Tate squeezed again and she fired. Shoot straight down or from the front, and even if you hit the kill spot or the brain location, you still might not get through. Crossbow Gator Hunt on the St. John's River | Outdoor Life Try checking with your states Division of Natural Resources to guide you on when and how to apply for legal requirements that will allow you to bowhunt alligators. Russell also mentioned that gators 10 feet and up will more than likely be males as females rarely reach that mark. The broadhead will bounch off the head and may hurt someone. Alligator hunting tips - Mississippi Sportsman An entangled string will disrupt the success of your bowhunt and will lead to complex situations. As you draw, the string should have no slack. You spot the gator you want to harvest, harpoon it using your bow, pull him in, and use either a bang stick or a broad head to expire the gator. Bowhunting Alligators - How, Why, and Where to Hunt? It is a big game animal hunted today that still resembles characteristics of the pre-historic. Thats a different experience altogether. Gigs. There are over 250,000 alligators in Georgia, and the license fee is one of the cheapest. The worst place to shoot an alligator is in the belly. Possession of shotguns is prohibited while hunting or taking wild alligators. It is unlawful to shoot at or kill an unrestrained alligator. var sc_invisible=1; Since 1987, numerous conservation efforts have removed American Alligators from the endangered species list. Alligator hunts are limited and there is a short window to be successful. Hunting gators with a bow is a hunt unlike any other. Well, you shoot the gator in the famous quarter-sized kill spot on the back of its head. // ]]> We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Nonresidents can also apply, but they can expect to pay $1,034. On the other hand, other brands also use alligator skin to manufacture saddles, boots, and belts. Your goal now is simply to put the harpoon in the gator. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Check out Pro Archer, John Dudley of Nock On Archery, drill an alligator target across a lake at 136 yards with a bow and arrow. Most alligators that are male reach up to the 10-foot mark, while female alligators rarely do. Baited hooks can be left overnight but a gator cannot be taken off the line after dark. After spotting a big gator, he casts the line to try to hook the reptiles body with the treble and reel it in close to the boat. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Once again, Morrell calmly worked with Jesse to pull the gator back toward us. Firearms may be used to take alligators only on private property. Like magic, the gator slapped its tail and turned back toward us. For instance, some states require you to obtain license fees and apply for gator tags before you can hunt. Ricky Brule shows Bowhunter Magazine Editor Curt Wells the new Gen Integrate 8 and 8X Series arrow rests from Vapor Trail Archery. But, even that beautifully produced, high-definition footage cant really depict how tiny the margin for error is when you point a gun at an alligator. Aside from the hunting games, people hunt alligators for their valuable meat and skin. The season bag limit in Mississippi is only two and better yet, book a guide as soon as you get drawn since they fill up quickly. Curt Wells is in New Mexico hunting elk from his ground blind, where he sees plenty of movement. What's the Best Pistol Crossbow in 2023? targetcrazy.com This viral footage came from a hunter in Georgia who was out looking for deer but instead witnessed a walking dinosaur lumbering through the woods. Aforementioned fishing (hook and line) method is the bulk common plus is the only style allowed in public areas. This kind of precise kill . Aim for the back of its skull, which is above its spine. In dispatching an alligator, you do it via a bang stick or handgun. Aside from the ones mentioned, consider using a bowfishing rest to decrease the possibility of your line catching on conventional rests. Here, Bowhunter Editor and Bowhunter TV host Curt Wells gets a firsthand look at the results: the new Slide Rock Hiker. To make sure I was best prepared for the hunt, I reached out to Mark Land with Muzzy Bowfishing to learn as much as I could about the equipment I would need for bowfishing gators. Hunting at night is ideal, or you can hunt during the day to avoid heavier pressure on alligators. Avoid hunting gators with a full moon because they will more than likely see you and submerge themselves prior to you locating them. Although I wanted to help my daughter, Morrell guided her with precise instructions on what exactly to do. At this point, her composure started to fall apart because the line on her containment bottle got tangled up. Texas is affordable when you consider all of the hunting that can be done on a license. "C.J., you don't know it, but you'll be hunting with one of the best in the state," Land told me. Season: Aug. 15-Nov. 20 1, 2020 (various seasons within the state). State law allows the transfer of tags as long as the tag owner is present. Setting the hook on a big muskie is thrilling. Since this was Jesse's first out-of-state hunt, Morrell tried to make this extra special. Heres an illustration of the angle needed for a clean kill on the first shot: Through stunning videography and super slow motion sequences depicting the final seconds of an alligators life, Swamp People does an amazing job of portraying the courage and skill required to catch and bag these monstrous carnivores.