OUTDOORSMAN features the Top Alligator hunting guides, Alligator hunting outfitters, and Alligator hunting charters in the Southern United States offering Trophy Gator hunts. Our listed Alligator hunting guides, Alligator hunting outfitters, and Alligator hunting charters are some of the best in the industry and are proven professionals that offer World Class Trophy Alligator hunts.

The Alligator hunting outfitters, hunting guides, and hunting charters featured on our pages are some of the top outfitters in the Alligator hunting industry. We want you to make the most informed decision when selecting an Alligator hunting trip so we have created a format where hunting outfitters can enter their current hunt information, then update their pictures and videos, enabling you to make a more qualified decision on your pending experience. In addition, we offer an open forum where hunters can post comments on outfitters and leave contact information, providing objective 3rd party opinions and endorsements.

OUTDOORSMAN tries to present only the most reputable Alligator hunting outfitters, guides and charters, however, we recognize that there is always potential for personality conflicts and misunderstandings. Therefore, we recommend that you use the 'outfitter submittal' forms to discuss your needs & expectations then gather more information on references and make an informed decision.

Alligator Hunting has once again become a popular pastime in the southern states. In recent years, the gator population has become very high. Because of the gator's aggressive hunting instincts, overpopulation of alligators can be very hazardous to pets, waterfowl, and even unsuspecting humans!

Maintaining the delicate balance is managed by the state game and fish departments. If the alligator population becomes too low, beaver, nutria rats and other mammals can cause environmental problems. And too many gators, well, the problems there are obvious!

Alligator Hunting How-Tos:

Each state has laws and guidelines as to weapon, permits, licensing and so forth. Make sure you check the local laws where you plan to Alligator Hunt. It is very important to know that there are vile bacteria growing in every gator's mouth. If you are just scratched by the teeth of an alligator, seek medical attention immediately to ward off infection.

Alligator Scouting Tips:

• Eye/Nostril Exposure. The inches between the alligator's eye and nose is a good estimate of the length in feet of the alligator. For example, if you have about 7 inches from the eye to the nose, you should have about a 7 foot alligator.

• Look for matted down grass or barren ground where the alligator has made a path.

• Look for claw prints or crawl marks on levees and banks.

• Typically alligators feed at night and early in the morning.

Alligator Harvesting Techniques:

(Check your state for approved harvesting methods)

Harpoons: Harpoons have been used as an effective method for attaching a restraining line to harvest an alligator that is consistent with Commission rules. Harpoons or gigs consist of a penetrating point such as a straightened fish hook, detachable dart, fish gig, or spear point attached to a restraining line (a diagram is included on page 14). A float may be attached to the restraining line, but it must always be attended. The harpoon point is typically mounted on a pole, arrow shaft, or spear.

Snatch Hooks: Snatch hooks also have been used as an effective method for attaching a restraining line to harvest an alligator that is consistent with Commission rules. A snatch hook is a weighted treble hook attached to a restraining line that is hand-held or used in conjunction with a long, stout fishing rod and reel and heavy line. The hook is typically cast over the alligator or over the area where he last submerged. The hook is then retrieved until it contacts the alligator, at which point it is set with a strong pull. The line should be kept tight until the animal fatigues and can be approached; the hook often falls out if the line is allowed to go slack.

Baited Wooden Pegs: Baited wooden pegs less than two (2) inches in length have been used as an effective method for attaching a restraining line to harvest an alligator that is consistent with Commission rules. A baited wooden peg is attached to a restraining line that is hand-held or used in conjunction with a long, stout fishing rod and reel and heavy line. The baited peg is typically thrown or cast near the alligator or near the area where it last submerged.

Snares: Wire snares attached to a restraining line loosely mounted (using a small rubber band or piece of tape) to the end of a pole are most commonly used to secure the alligator once it has been harpooned and brought under control near the boat. Snares must be hand-held or attached to a hand-held device and cannot be left unattended.

Bang Sticks: Bang sticks have been used as an effective tool for humanely killing alligators attached to a

restraining line. Bang sticks or power heads are devices typically used by divers to kill fish. They

discharge a firearm cartridge by contact and are effective for killing alligators. For a humane kill, the shot

should be centered immediately behind the skull cap and angled toward the brain. It is recommended that

the bang stick be used in compliance with the manufacturer's safety recommendations. The bang stick

should be discharged below the waterline when killing an alligator to reduce the potential for aerial

dispersal of bullet and bone fragments. Keep in mind that the alligator must be attached to a restraining

line using methods such as those describe above before it is legal to use a bang stick to kill an alligator.

Because it is difficult to ensure that all of the shot is removed from the alligator meat during

processing, some alligator meat processors may not accept alligator carcasses if the alligator was

killed with a bang stick using a shotshell.

Alligator Facts:

An adult alligator has a large body, which is slightly rounded, and a broad head. Males can grow in excess of 18 feet, while females grow to about nine feet in length. The broad and rounded snout consists of an upper jaw, which overlaps the teeth of the lower jaw (fitting into a depression in the lower jaw). The tail comprises one-half the overall length of the body. It is muscular and powerful, used to propel the alligator quickly through the water. Limbs are thick with webbed feet and five toes on the front feet, and four toes on the back feet. They walk in a flat-footed fashion, and on land, can run quickly for short bursts. Coloration of the adult alligator is black, which along with the snout configuration distinguishes it from the brownish crocodile. Juvenile alligators are smaller replicas of their parents, however, they have yellow cross-bands on their backs.

Average Weight Range of Adult Alligators

Adult alligators usually range in weight between 400 and 1000 pounds depending on age and the quality of habitat. The largest alligator on record was over 19 feet - quite a whopper! Although they seem a bit lazy in the water as they prowl around, they can actually reach short distance speeds of up to 30 MPH - That's faster than I can run!

Alligator Reproduction

Breeding season begins in the spring during April or May. The male alligator bellows to attract females. This bellowing is accomplished by, sucking air into their lungs and blowing it out (alligators have no vocal cords). Bellowing acts to attract females and warn off other males. The sound vibrations can travel great distances under water. Head-slapping, rapidly swinging the head up and then down to the water surface, is another means to attract a mate. The two alligators will use complex postures to aid in the courtship ritual, which can last several hours. A month after mating the female lays 20 to 50 eggs in a three foot, by six foot, nest constructed of mud and rotting vegetation. Like a mulch, the vegetation heats as it decays, keeping the eggs warm until hatched. The female protects the nest from intruders throughout the 65-day incubation period. When hatched, the young emit a high-pitched noise as the mother quickly digs them out and carries them to water. The young form a pod and remain close to the female for up to three years. Alligators reach sexual maturity between eight and twelve years of age.

Food Usage/Selection

Adult alligators are carnivorous and eat fish, birds, beaver, otter and other mammals. The young eat mostly insects, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, and snails. Alligators are nocturnal, feeding at night, however; they are very opportunistic hunters and will take prey anytime.

Larger mammals are pulled under water and drowned before being torn apart. Smaller prey species are devoured whole. An alligator has approximately 80 teeth, which can regenerate if lost. Alligators can go through up to 3000 teeth in a lifetime.

Alligator Range

Alligators are mostly located in the southeastern United States: Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and the Carolinas.

Alligator Habitat

Alligators are typically found in freshwater creeks, swamps, rivers and canals. Alligators excavate burrows using their snout, tail, and legs, to provide a refuge from the winter and dry season. These “alligator holes” are often modified, or expanded by the alligator over time. The hole stays full of water except for an air chamber, and provides the alligator, and other species of animals with a source of water. If the hole dries up, the alligator will seek out another area to build.

Common Alligator Hunting Methods

A wide variety of weapons are used to hunt alligator. Bows, handguns, rifles, shotguns, harpoons to name a few. Many times, hunters use calling to locate mature female alligators. Young alligators make a high-pitched squeaking noise that locates the mother. Mimicking this sound will get the attention of any female with young in the area. The eyes of a large alligator will glow red and those of a smaller will glow green when a light is shined on them. This fact can be used to find alligators in the dark.

Alligator Hunting Challenges/Values

Alligators are valued for their meat as well as for their belly skin, which creates high-quality leather. They benefit the environment by keeping rodent and other small animals populations under control in the wetlands.

Interesting Facts:

The name alligator comes from “el lagarto” meaning, “the lizard.”

Alligators are part of the crocodilians, which appeared 80 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, near the end of the Mesozoic era. Crocodilians are from a group called, Crocodyloformes, who appeared 245 million years ago during the Triassic period.

Temperatures inside the alligator nest can determine the sex of the young. Eggs incubated over 96 degrees produce males, from 86 degrees and below, females are produced and temperatures in between produce both sexes.