gator hunting in Texas

[Brent Hill]

A wheel shooting friend has been talking to me about drawing an archery tag for gators in Texas.  I have looked at tx parks and wildlife webpag and it appears that the deadline is aug 5 for archery alligator but no other info is given.  Is anyone familar with the texas drawl for archery gator .   I plan to shoot acurve but don't want to take my fancy bob lee.  Ive got an old head ski 45 lb red wing hunter and planned to shoot my 540 grain 3555 with a muzzy head and big slider and leader.  Is this good enough for regular gators up to 7 to 8 feet.  I'm new to lizard sticking.  Any info would be appreciated.  thanks Bhill

[Toklat1]

Yes, like all the rest of the tags for other game, Go to Drawn hunts on the TPWD web page and print it off (application) or call them and ask them for a booklet. They will mail you one. Look at the hunt you want and fill out the application for the 3 hunts that you want by choice, 1st, 2nd, 3rd. send them the $6.00 or $12.00 if it is for 2 people and just wait. If you draw or not, they will mail you the results when drawn. Good Luck!

[smokin feathers]

Have to be on a line, either bowfishing gear,hook and line or a handheld snare. I recomend a reg bowfishing solid glass arrow. Gator will snap a 35/55 with very little effort. I have take several using an ams retriever with 400# fast flight and jug setup with a muzzy gar point. I would like to try the new interlock grapple point on one though. The ones i took ended up just going to the bottom and rolling up. I cable my arrows with old bow cable from our shop. I use the cable that we use to make the cables on wheel bows back in the 80" with a big barrel swivel and big cable crimps.

you can put up to three people on a card, but can only put in once. If you put your name as a primary on one and secondary on another they will throw both out.

Dam B,Murphee and Mcfaddin are good areas.

[Littlefeather]

Brent, I offer a few private spots for gators on private land. Shoot me an email and I'll give you my home phone. We can chat about bigger gators than 8'.    :D   CK

PS. I haven't read the regs in awhile but they used to require you first catch the gator on hook and cable before you could shoot it with an arrow on public hunts. I think I read that for Aransas Wildlife Refuge. Ya gotta hope you catch a gator quick before those giant mosquitos take you and the bait. Worse place I ever saw for mosquitos.

[Littlefeather]

Oh, gators are very tough. I'd advise the aluminum clad glass arrow designed for gators. Muzzy makes a great arrow and gator head. They first run and then they roll like crazy. It's easy to get an arrow broke. Get two or three arrows in for good measure. My go'to gator bow is a 65# Bear Grizzly. My 55# Bear Kodiak Mag was getting pull-outs. CK

[smokin feathers]

On Dam B and Muarphee you use either or. You can just shoot them with the bow and not have to catch them first. I have seen several gators over 14' while doing vegetation control on the lake and river with many in the 10-12' range.

The only bad part is you cant shoot them at night on Dam B during the weekend gator hunts, it is nothing to see 50+ a night on the river.