Hunting Alligators in Mallard Bay

Here are two adult alligators: hunted by some local Cajuns that are members of our lease. They were accompanied by some boys from Mississippi that travelled all the way to South Louisiana to see how we do it! As you know, there is a season for legally cultivating alligators, with limits, too, on how many one may harvest. Furthermore, their breeding nests are protected by the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. Consequently, their numbers have boomed in recent decades.

In regards to how we hunt them: it is quite simple. A large wooden pole is inserted at a 45 degree angle deep into the bank of the bayou or marsh. Attached at the end is a strong rope with a treble hook (3-pronged hook). One can place a dead bird or any other piece of smelly meat. The rope and hook is hung about one foot above the water. At night, the alligators swim along the waterways, smell the meat, and leap out of the water to grab the bait, and they swallow the hook. Well, they are then attached to the rope, too, whose other end is tied tightly around a tree on the bank (the large wooden pole only functioned as a leverage to dangle the meat above the water). Then, on the next morning, you travel in your boat looking to see if there are any ropes in the water (no longer dangling above the water). With stoic confidence, one then slowly drives up to the rope, reaches into the water, pulls on the rope. At that point, the alligator, which is hiding on the bayou bottom surface, then struggles and tries to get away...but it is hooked. So, one has to keep pulling with all of their might to bring it up to the surface. At that point, your Cajun compatriot fires several .22 caliber rounds into its head. The effect is immediate, but not always complete. Once you pull in the several hundred pound, 5-10 foot long gator into your boat, there is OFTENTIMES a flurry of rebound, automatic spinning and twisting by the gator in the boat. At that time, it is not uncommon to see the hunters then deliver a few final head blows with blunt objects.

The alligator skin is sold to craft belts, boots, etc. The meat is also sold for consumption. By the way, it is a very clean, white meat...not like chicken or fish. It is very unique and has a sweet taste to it.