Best Locations For Hunting For Alligators

By Mark Bell


The southern part of the United States is renowned for its large gator population. Every year, lots of licensed hunters converge at various private and public lands to harvest alligators for many economic reasons. The following places are prime spots for hunting for alligators.

The state of Louisiana kicks off the list. To many hunters, this state is a gator hunting Mecca due to the never ending swamps that dot its landscape. A vast majority of the local swamps get their water from the Atchafalaya River. The drainage basin of this river is measured as the biggest in the United States.

Up to 30 percent of the basin consists of marshland, with the remaining 70 percent being forested. The marshes provide a lot of food for fish, hence favoring a booming fish population. In turn, the fish provide food for the gators, meaning hunters in the area stand a greater chance of bagging huge gators as compared to other locations in the country.

Many also consider Florida as a prime location for this activity. As you head south towards the end of the St. Johns River, you get to the St. Johns Marsh. The marsh has a pretty impressive alligator population, so you can be assured of a catch any day you visit. By capacity, the river is the largest in the whole of Florida. The local authorities allow up to 500 hunting permits per year for this river, making it a favorite spot amongst seasoned trophy hunters.

Texas is home to Victoria County, another location worthy of mentioning. The county is situated right by the coastline of Texas as you head to the southeast side of the city. The location has seen a number of large gator captures through the years.

Each passing month, the local authorities respond to as many as 500 distress calls from homeowners. The gator species found here are pretty bold and therefore venture into public pools and homes on a regular basis. For inexperienced hunters, catching them is always challenging.

Another splendid site is the Bayou Pierre River. It is a river that courses Eastwards away from the Mississippi. The area has long harbored large ferocious gators. The Pierre River also has a record for hosting the largest male gator ever captured in open waters. When the gator was measured, it was found to weigh 686 pounds and was fourteen feet long.

Alabama has a decent population of gators as well. While Lake Eufaula is generally renowned for duck hunting, it is also an alligator paradise. A few years ago, there was a popular story of an alligator that sunk its jaws into a small hunting vessel. The hunters finally caught it, thrusting the river and locality into the limelight when their story came out.

As much as your upcoming hunt may sound exciting, you should strive to abide by the rules of the local jurisdiction. Licensing is a key part of this. Without a license, you may end up paying a fine or serving jail time. Also remember some habitats are protected, so stick to areas that you have researched on.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment