As you can tell by my username, I'm exactly that-I'm of mixed Seminole and Caucasian descent. I do have some tribal recognition, and I can trace my lineage back to the Everglades, as well as claim some distant relatives on reservation today. It's been something that has been a defining thing growing up-especially growing up in a place like Jasper, which has all the small town prejudices. I tend to identify more with that side, having faced the stigmas from it all my life. I'm proud to be who I am.
My forefathers hunted (and wrestled) alligators from before recorded history on this continent. It's been a rite of passage for as long as we've been Seminole. And, of course, having grown up in central Alabama, one I have never gotten to take part in. A situation I'd love to remedy.
I mention bucket list because as I have a rare connective tissue disorder, the docs tell me I won't live as long as everyone else. They can't tell me a when, but the average is 30-35. I'll be 32 next month. Some don't make it that far. My son died of it a day short of two. I'm not saying this to garner sympathy, it changes the equipment I can use and what I need to carry. I've lasted this long because I'm too blasted tough to know when to quit.
What draw weight would you recommend for hunting gator? I currently have a horse bow of roughly 40 pounds and a cable-backed longbow that I need to test for weight, as well as a roughly 45 pounder being made by Dan Bonner. I can't just go out and buy a new bow if I need it, though-my draw length is 36", 34" if I draw short but any shorter and it hurts. The geometry's all wrong. I understand at this point I have to make most of my tackle myself, including the arrows. That's why I'm setting myself a year to get ready for the hunt. Time to work up draw weights if I need to, time to make a bow capable of hunting in the wet and time to assemble all my gear and save up some money.
I plan to put in for a tag in next year's hunt in lower AL, but I'd love to one day hunt the Everglades like my father's fathers did, and I'd love the opportunity to take a python while I'm at it. They're destroying the ecosystem. AL's tag system doesn't seem too overburdened, I think there's a decent chance I'll get one.
Also, I plan on bringing home anything useful off the gator-hide, meat, bones, sinews-as that's how I treat any kills. Any tips on skinning a gator would be greatly appreciated.
While I would LIKE to do this all with the bow, I do have a shotgun for backup, if it's deemed I would need it. Any resources you guys who have done it on shot placement would be greatly appreciated.
I know this might seem a little tame to those of you who have faced down water buffalo, elephants and the like. But this is my shot to become a Seminole warrior, even if in name only. It means the world to me.
Topic: Bucket list hunt is alligator, help me get prepared (Read 4701 times)
