Gators in Georgia

[CDMHorseman]

To begin with I only consider gators potentialy dangerous.  I have caught and moved quite a few.  I was just curious as to how some of you would take one with a bow.  My planned set up will be a good fishing arrow and about 10 ft of 200 lb test line tied to one or two 1 gallon jugs.
Georgia has opened a season on gators and you can take 1 a year..
anyone have any better Ideas?

[gobbler10ga]

Need longer and heavier # test also a harpoon with rope helps I shot a 10 footer with what you said he snapped my line

[CDMHorseman]

I've caught many with just a rope on a DNR permit, and moved them. Largest was just over 9ft.  Was your line attached to something?? I was planning on chasing the jugs. Were you in a river, pond or lake??  I have one picked out in a small pond.  May try in the Savannah or Ogeechee rivers too.  I've never tried to take one with a bow, and I don't want to lose the gator.

[gobbler10ga]

I was in the river just held the line but make sure you give him plenty to run with dont fight him that was my mistake

[CDMHorseman]

OK  I just ordered some 650lb test bowfishing line, and Barbed broadheads designed for gators.  The big gator I can take is in a 10 acre pond.  Not really a hunt. I can find him on any given day, and most of the time he will come as soon as you throw a few marshmallows out..  I was just going to stick him and follow the jugs with the line only attached to the jugs.  The river would be more fun....  I've been asked to take this gator from the pond.  I can only get one permit as you know.

[waterone]

I had a friend take a gator a while back on a hunt in Florida, he used the Muzzy kit, and said it worked well for him.

Here is the link -   web page  

Now the price on the site seems a bit high, so I think you could make a kit up yourself.  Iet me also say this that everything I've seen from Muzzy was pretty good quality, so maybe it's reasonable.

[KrEn]

Just out of curiosity, where (head, heart lungs?) should you shoot an alligator?

K

[CDMHorseman]

I've only killed one gator and that was with a rifle with a shot between the eyes.  I'm still trying to figure out what would be best with a bow.  That is why I posted the thread. So I could input from others that have taken them with a bow.  I'm guessing a lung shot.

[Huntin'Honey24]

Vitals are everything with any animal when you are talking about a bow kill.  Animals of course don't die from shock.  And you all know this, but I would just study the anatomy of the animal before I went to hunt!

[vermonster13]

A few issues ago TBM had an article about bow hunting for gators. You may want to get your hands on that.

[gobbler10ga]

no vital shot on a gator harpoon them with arrow get them to boat and bang stick them

[artistryinnature]

Yup, By Georgia law the gator must be first be captured (restrained) either by harpoon, snare, barbed arrow, gig or snatch hook, then dispatched with a bang stick or handgun. It is recommended that you sever the spinal cord behind the head with a knif and secure the jaws with bands or tape and the legs tied over the gators back with rope. Even then you should leave the gator in a cooler for several hours or even over night. Anyone who has killed reptiles knows that their primitive brains and bodies sometimes take a while to realize they are dead.

[NEB]

Call the guys as Muzzy (you know they are in Cartersville, GA).  It has been a few years, but I recall a video they produced of bowhunting gators with a wheelie bow.  I remember them shooting the animal in the skutes with the bowfishing point, which was attached to a heavy line and jug/buoy.  They trailed the animal with a boat, and once it tired they shot it in the brain with a broadhead.  Pretty cool video.

[JBiorn]

Why not try and severe the spinal cord with your broadhead? I know that might be a tall order, but wouldn't that be the "sweet" shot? I am just thinking that if you are hunting with a bow, why not kill it with a bow?

 Of course, I'm just an Idaho hunter----we haven't any Gators here, 'cept at the farm over in Hagerman.

 Jeff

[BigJim]

Guys- I too would like to hunt gator with a bow. I have not checked into the regs for hunting them. Is it by draw? or over the counter?

I'm in Albany and could use a few hunting buddies in the state. I know no one within a few hours that hunts with traditional equipment. Would like to meet a few. BigJim

[artistryinnature]

Its a draw. Apply on the DNR website. The closing date is July 31.  http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=500

[mark land]

We do have gator hunting supplies and they have been tested and proven by guides and nuisance trappers in FL for many years, pretty much considered the standard equipment to use on gators with bows.  I have shot several and have dispatched a few of them with broadheads.  Definitely a shot to the spine will end their struggles, but you can also take the life out of them very well with a broadhead thru the lungs.  Just holler at me here at Muzzy and I will be glad to help you out.  Mark

[gobbler10ga]

I usedd a Muzzy head They work

[Rick McGowan]

To bad Steve Irwin, the "Croc Hunter" got the croc hunting banned in Australia, a 20 foot salty would be a good test for a bowfishing rig!

[alligatordond]

Took one with a modified Zwickey back in 92. It was the "sweet shot" mentioned earlier. Right behind the head with the gator facing away.

However that is a tough shot to get let alone make. I was very lucky.