Gator hunting

[Valigator]

It's 5:15 am, woke up and found my guy wasnt in, gave a call and they were on their way to drop the gators off. He was with our fish and game buddies ...(1) 9+ footer (1) 10+ footer and the big boy...a 12' 2"...dont have the pics yet but when I do, you guys will be the first......:p oh taken by bow....

[Nulle]

They left you home ? + Whats With That lol

[Valigator]

yea yea, the fish and game guys have their tags and Frank came down from Colorado espercially for this hunt....so there will be plenty of nights I am left home. We got a boatload of permits and everyone needs their night...plus the weight carried on the boat is important...Tonight is my first night....

[Valigator]

ah you will love this one...put in at the south end of the lake around 9:30, had to wait as there were plenty of airboats waiting to launch....the water is very shallow as they keep the lake drained pretty good during hurricane season. Most of the boats were headed for deeper water, my guy headed in the opposite direction....into some shallow sloughs...cruised around for ten minutes and spotted a "big boy" came up next to him and he did a pretty powerful turnaround...since it was shallow he couldnt dive...but his wake was pretty awesome....aimed and right in the back....that just made him mad...he drug us around for a few hundred yards until I could reel him in close enough to hit him again with the harpoon...with both ropes brought him close enough to bangstick, took two 44's and he was history....gettin him in the boat was another thing....10 feet eight inches....heeeeehawwww:D :p
PS he was on the line at 9:45, best time yet for that size...

[Valigator]

tonight I go with my son, what a freakin soap opera that will be:rolleyes: He's already whining about the fact we are going together:( .....its a running competition every year.....and every year I beat him...;) first he'll whine who sits up front and we will bypass some really big boys, then we'll stop in a few hours get something to drink....rag on each other how he should have taken the shot, but was holden out...then he'll get itchy and tired...and around 2 or 3 am a big boy will come along...he will get it...bust his butt bringing him in......we re-rig everything, I take the front and in thirty minutes see another monster....I get him...bring him in and he'll be two inches longer.......hahahahahahah, Oh how I love that mother-son race.....then he'll pout for days...:D :D ;)

[M.T. Pockets]

No mercy on him, he'll get over it.

Don't sound like there's much mercy on the gators either. Sounds fun.

[Valigator]

Heres some pics ....

[Valigator]

some more....

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/179289200.jpg


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/179289199.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/179289195.jpg

[gspsonny03]

Great pics Val. How many do you have yet to get? Hope you have lots of luck with the remaining tags.;)

[Valigator]

hey we have a total of I think 60...so its gonna be a busy season....we didnt end up going last night a heavy storm moved in with lots of lightening, so it was pushed back till tonight....thats iffy for me I got a full day of work tomorrow, so I might even push it till Tues, since I am off on wed. whats nice is that the season is extended till Nov. 1st so we dont have to beat our guts out filling the tags....now if a hurricane comes in thats a ole nother ballgame...

[Valigator]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/179558206.jpg

[Valigator]

love these stories.....


August 19, 2006


Hunters nab gargantuan gators

Alligator season began on Tuesday

BY JIM WAYMER
FLORIDA TODAY

Hunters snagged gargantuan gators and adrenaline rushes this week throughout East Central Florida.

Jerry Serna got his in the wee hours of Friday, when he, his son-in-law and three other men tugged for 31/2 hours to pull in an 11-foot-long alligator that laid claim to a piece of Lake Monroe in Volusia County.

"The girth is what makes it so massive," said Serna of Malabar, who helped reel in the prehistoric beast with a snag hook.

It was one among many behemoth gators landed the fourth day of Florida's annual alligator hunt.

Serna knew it was there.

Over the past few months, the gator would turn to intimidate Serna's mother, Joyce, whenever she fished from a boat about 200 yards offshore, in an area called Whisky Hammock.

Not any more. The fat gator now lay upside down in a fridge west of Melbourne.

"We've been seeing this gator for the past three nights," said Serna, an integrated science teacher at Stone Middle School in Melbourne.

Serna estimates the gator weighs 400 to 500 pounds and was about 30 years old. It was the seventh of eight alligator tags the group bought for this hunting season, which started Tuesday and runs through Nov. 1. Hunters must pick one week to hunt within the first month of the season to stagger the effort on state waters. After that, if
they still have tags left, they can hunt any time until season's end.

They spotted it early Friday, around 12:30 a.m. They cast a spin reel with a snatch hook on 50-pound test line. The gator at one point broke loose, but floated up like a whale, tired. Adam Young, a student with at Florida State University, snagged it again, this time with line that could withstand 100 pounds of pull.

[Nulle]

There must be a ton of those critters to hunt / trade ya a truck load of deer for a gator lol

[gumpokc]

Dang nice catch there Val, whats the limit per day? or is there even one?

[Valigator]

This year you purchase your permit, which entitles you to two, then you could purchase additional tags for 60 bucks allowing two more....we purchased a total of about 60

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Val, I just read in the NRA American Hunter that Florida alligator permits were sold out in 4 hours. and only issued 4,406 tags. Is this the total tags sold in the state and were you able to buy all your 60 some tags at the same time or only able to buy a certain number (2) tags at first then later purchase any remaining tags left up for grabs?.....is there a limit for the number of tags you can purchase at one time?

[Valigator]

oh what a cluster you know what, that was...we had 4 guys in place at the house and one at Bass Pro shops, you could buy them there also...people on their cell phones and computers...the online purchasing was a mess, so techically you are only suppose to buy one tag and one additional per person per phone call. But each year there is always some clitch and the phone people know that so they cut you alot of slack...when and if you can get through....so my guy has been doing this for so long...he has all his paperwork and phases picked out so its smooth on our end...we got all tags and additional tags at the same time...that morning....

[grayghost]

Cool pics Val. I'm gonna have to try that someday. I come down twice a year to fish in the gulf, but never tried gator fishin'. Good hunting, grayghost

[Valigator]

Left Lauderdale at 6PM last night....got to Belle Glade around 8, had dinner at one of those hole in the wall catfish places....it was good...but the weather was horrible here in Lauderdale all the way there...we got to the ramp around 8:30 and walked around waiting for the rain to let up, I did notice there were about 5 other trucks and trailers parked, so some people were weathering it...right about 9:15 the heavens cleared and we left the ramp....rode into the shallows where we have been lucky lately...all we could find were little boys, everywhere,....came up on another boat after we heard the bang stick and he was pullin a 7 footer in...this was about 11PM ...we took off and came up on a nine footer, but I wouldnt throw...turned the airboat off, watched the stars for a while and listened to the animals, it turned into a gorgeous night...we started up again cruised for an hour, shut down and debated..I said the big boys dont come out till later, "lets keep looking" finally around 3am "I" spot something good size make him turn around, and get up closer it was so shallow we could see he was a monster..I throw and get him square in the back, now he's nothin but pissed, he's running and snorting, I had never quite heard that much noise from one like that..I grab another harpoon and hit him again, good thing cause the first one pulled out of him early on, My guy is mumbling now, Honey get ready, this one is mad and I dont want him eating my paint job!! too late he surfaces and comes right at the boat full force with his mouth open, chomp, chomp, chomp a good three feet...I hit him one more time with a harpoon and start pullin in closer, it was perfect, he grabbed the bang stick and hit him, I go to pull again and he starts fighting again and pulls us about 50 yards into this thick mud, no way, start the boat and pull him out..finally after 5 44's to the head, he gave up the ghost. Big deal, it took us another three hours and one winch and 4 ropes to just get him balancing on the side, we made our way back to the launch and two guys in another boat helped us straighten him across the bow just so we could get into the trailer..finally brought him to the freezer at 7 am, filled out the paperwork and now I am home writing this...9:26 am, I too tired to spell check, pics later, he was 11 feet and somewhere around 600 pounds.....

[Valigator]

Huge Gator Caught in Hancock

By Matthew Pleasant
The Ledger

WINTER HAVEN -- Bubbles have never been more ominous.

When seen on top of a lake, they're a sign of something lurking below. And in the case of many Florida lakes, they're probably coming from the snout of a large reptile.

With alligator hunting season under way, hunters are keeping their eyes peeled for the telltale bubbles, and gators of monstrous proportions are already being reported.

Jack Selet of Winter Haven has been hunting the gator-teeming waters of Lake Hancock since Aug. 15, when the hunting season officially began. With the limit set at two alligators per hunting permit, he's been waiting for the big one.

"We've caught eight-, nine-, 10foot ones, but they were too small so we let them go," he said.

The night of Aug. 19, Selet killed a gator he says measures 12 feet 6 inches long. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Web site, that's one inch longer than the largest alligator caught in Lake Hancock during last year's hunting season.

Gators from Lake Hancock have measured up to 13 feet 4 inches in past years. The record for the largest alligator in Florida was more than 14 feet, caught in Lake Monroe in Seminole County. The largest alligator caught in Polk County was 13 feet 111/4 inches, captured just outside Bartow in 2001. Louisiana claims the record for the largest alligator ever caught, measuring 19 feet 2 inches.

Still, the 12 1/2 footer is the largest Selet has ever caught. With the help of his 14-year-old grandson, Josh Raymond of Oviedo, and several other boys, the crew caught the alligator about 11:45 p.m.

"It isn't scary. You have to use sense," he said. "But if they ever get ahold of you you can kiss that limb goodbye."

His grandson said the hunters kept their cool as they pulled the gator from the water just enough to crack it on the head with a "boom stick" -- a rod with a .44-caliber Magnum bullet on the end.

"I do it for fun. It isn't something you are supposed to be afraid of," Raymond said.

Last year hunters killed 3,345 alligators. Since 2000, hunt participants have killed 16,377 of the reptiles.

This year FWC officials issued 4,406 permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person who gets a license for the hunt will be allowed to kill two alligators 18 inches or longer.

The permits are good for harvesting alligators in designated areas until Nov. 1.

The areas designated in Polk County are lakes Arbuckle, Hancock, Parker, Pierce and Walk-in-the-Water as well as Tenoroc Fish Management Area and the Peace River. Adjacent water bodies include lakes Kissimmee and Hatchineha and the Kissimmee River.

Contrary to recent news stories about dangerous alligators that killed three people earlier this year, Selet said they are one of the least aggressive animals he's hunted.

"I've stumbled across them while skin diving and they'll try to get away from you. They aren't like crocodiles -- those are maneaters," he said. "It's a lot of fun to get ahold of something that big. If you've ever done it you'll want to do it again."

Here's my 12'4"

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/2885890/35225885.jpg

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Val.....YTD total...more pix if have..wife is amazed...oh...me too..

[Nulle]

Looks like your weather is going to get a little stormy so be careful. Sent ya a pm on yahoo this AM also.

[Valigator]

Wild Pig Hunting in Florida.......heeeeeeehaw:eek:

[Nulle]

In looking at your pictures I am going to send you a new cap and you will be the talk of Florida lmao

[Valigator]

Here is my nephews gator he got last night in Georgia, we believe it to be a record at 13'4"

[Valigator]

Here is another pic of him...

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/185850880.jpg

[Valigator]

and one more, I dont have the story on him yet, but when I do I'll pass it on..

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/185856807.jpg

[Lilred]

Val gal....them's some big ole gators!! I tell ya..that sounds like fun...I always wondered how you hunt a gator. Ya know..sounds like to me ya'll got ALOT of gators...does alot of people git their arm chomped off swimmin and such?

So...obviously you gotta know yer territory..er where the big boys hide..but do you bait em er anything? Like a trollin bait?
Doin that must be a blast...anybody that hunts any dangerous game deserves a pat on the back as fer as I'm concerned.

Another question...is they good eatin? Do they taste like fish?

Dern...sorry gal hun...I'm loadin you up with all kinda questions this evenin....but it sure is interestin to say the least.

[Valigator]

Hey girl, no some people bait them, but I find that a hard way to hunt....I use a harpoon but most of the guys use a bow, either way is attached to a bouy, then they get mad and run on you, you fight with them like you would a fish, only much bigger, try and wear them down and get them close enough to the boat to bangstick them, then you try and get them in....they are good eatin, you run them thru a tenderizer and bread them and deep fry them...it is very good.....on your application, they ask you where is your first choice to hunt and give you a list to choose from...then when you get your tags, they tell you when (what phase of the hunt) and where...we usually choose the south end of the Lake out of Belle Glade, we have gotten some very nice gators out of there and the launch is protected....sometimes we go out of Clewiston.....either way is a long trip for us....couple few hours round trip...

[rubicon]

Hey LilRed, Glad you asked Val. And Val glad you answered. That gator hunting is just SO INTERESTING, especially for us hillbillies .After moving to the Md Chesapeake bay I have found myself totally fascinated by the marshes and waterways and get out in them at least once a week each week. But then we have nothing to compare to what is in your backyard.

[Valigator]

My sweet sweet wonderful Rubicon, anytime, any year, you more than welcome to a hunt on me!!!!:D

[Valigator]

recent pics....

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187442503.jpg

[Valigator]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187442509.jpg


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187442495.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187442484.jpg

[Valigator]

This is the bad boy I told you about, got so mad he came right for me...just got these pics a few minutes ago....I think he is gorgeous...

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187454819.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187455826.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187454822.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/12233442/187454825.jpg

[rubicon]

Val, Keep those pics a coming!!!!!!! They are COOL!!!!!! And that boat, I been thinking about a mud motor, but that is K--- Ass! One question: Do you slip a rope around those bad boys mouths to hold them shut while you are giving them the ole duct tape? OK, Two questions: How many people did it take to get your gator in the boat? Hate to show my ignorance but Im fascinated,

[Valigator]

Hey guy, wish the rope could be that easy...thats an old Croc hunter tool....no ...after I get him as close to the boat as possible, we bank stick him, usually that doesnt kill them off immediately at least not my big boys...but it dazes them enough for me to take one hand under his mouth, one over and close his mouth and hang on...then another person has to take the tape and wrap his mouth...now we can go about the business of pulling him in...this was the one where we got his head up then the wench broke, so out came the ropes and we use the gaff and one end of the rope to wrap around him...then it was just brute strength after that...now that was with just me and my guy, which is tough, but I get my biggest gators when its just the two of us, dont know why just do...when you got a couple of full grown men in the boat plus the driver, its easier, but my 12'4" took me my guy and another 2 guys from another airboat to get in, then you got to get him balanced across the front, if you want a smooth ride back in and driving the boat on the trailer...
On that one pic where he is tied on the side..thats how we had to limp back to the launch that night, there was no moving him to the front...

[Valigator]

Rubicon, About the boat....its probably one of the best boats you can have for duck-hunting, getting to areas where the majority of boats cant go...we frog out of it, get to places where deer and wild hog are...party on Sunday afternoons with other airboats...anyway there are airboat clubs all over the country, "good on frozen lakes" you can check them out on sites like
www.southernairboat.com or just google airboats...if you decide to go that way, there probably isnt a guy around who knows more about them than my guy...so we would be very happy to answer any and all questions about them....I accidently found out we are soon to have three:rolleyes: tell me the roof didnt come off the house....anyway...ask questions, alot of your decision will be based on what you hunt and more important where????The topography of your area has alot to do with purchasing one...the amount of people and gear you will carry and the design of the seat placement is huge, we customize every airboat for maximine fuel efficiency and what we are hunting...

[Aim to maim]

Originally posted by Valigator
then the wench broke,
That must have been traumatic. I hope she recovered. :) :D ;) :p :confused: : :eek:

[Valigator]

everytime I typed that I thought twice on the spelling, but didnt bother to "spellcheck":p

[Valigator]

here are some pics of some nice airboats...

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/3113417/54855162.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/3113417/54855149.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/3113417/54855136.jpg


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL11/876226/3113417/54855109.jpg

[double00]

Hi Valigator,

Great information regarding gator hunting.

What kind of Airboat do you guys use? Is it custom made or is it a certain model number and brand?

Sounds like yours could be used for multiple purposes and that to me is more practical than one set up to only hunt gators, etc.

[Valigator]

One we have is a customized Thurmond airboat, the other he bought and took to the son of Gary Thurmond and had it re-rigged, then I accidently heard he bought a third the other night on the phone and its at Thurmond's as we speak, needless to say the roof came off the house, but what the heck right...he nees one for frogs, ducks and gators...like you said one size doesnt fit all...