2015 Florida Gator Hunt

[Tracker2]

Well I drew for Florida Gator tags in Holms County FL. I am super excited about the hunt and am getting my stuff together. In Florida it is required to dispatch with a bang stick (mixed feelings however new to this game). Has any one ever had any expierence hunting these creatures? If so, how did you go about dispatching the gator once you got it to the boat? I know its legal to use a knife, if your so daring to do so. I havent come to grips with trying that one yet! Any adivise/Pictures/stories would be appreciated!

Nate

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Indianabowman may be  good resource.  Look up some of his old Gator hunting posts.  He uses a method called Pithing where you stick a sharp instrument into the spinal column and maybe even brain stem.

Tonight I will see if I can dig u a few for you.

I shot this one here in Tx. It taped out at 11' 1" and weighed 390#. I shot him with a couple bowfishing arrows with lines attached, then dispatched him with broad head arrows. We don't have the bang stick rule here.

   

Good luck on your hunt!

Bisch

[Cyclic-Rivers]

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=139057;p=1#000000

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=132437;p=1#000000

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=092393;p=1#000000

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=077233;p=1#000000

[Florida lime]

PM Jerry Russell, or contact him through his web site - he does gator hunts in Georgia. I'm sure he could help out with information.

  http://www.russelloutdoorguides.com/

[Hummer3T]

still a dream hunt, thread like this keep pushing toward my dream.

[Hummer3T]

still a dream hunt, thread like this keep pushing toward my dream.

[Tracker2]

Thanks for the post! This is my first hunt ever, and I have not even really been around any much since i just moved here a couple years ago. So i bought a bang stick just incase, but my traditional bow hunter instinct wants to use a well sharpened broad head next to the boat. Ill have to look into that!

[Jerry Russell]

Not sure on the Florida Rule for dispatching but in Georgia a bang stick or handgun may be used. That does not mean that it MUST be used. I have used a knife and a a broadhead arrow but this changes the game dramatically at boat side from a safety aspect. Many guides strongly prefer a .22 for dispatch and if you are a do-it-yourselfer, this may be a very good idea. Gators do not like being beside your boat and 200-500 pounds of thrashing lizard at boat side can be a real handful for someone new to that game.

We put two gator arrows in them followed by a harpoon. At that point there is simply no way they are going to get away so our focus is on dispatching as humanely and safely as possible.  Shoot me a PM if I can help in any way.

By the way, for you folks that have ever dreamed of this type of hunt, today is the last day to apply in Georgia for a preference point. It is a WILD hunt and worth the wait to get a tag.

Good luck on your hunt!

[Jayb]

Bisch good gator!  On my bucket list too and course I want gator boots