Alligator hunting

[db@100]

If a person gets drawn for an alligator hunt on the JD Murphree WMA, how does it work? Do they supply you with an area to hunt or do you just go where you want? What do you do with the gator after you get it? Do you sell the hide and how much do you get for it? I know nothing about gator hunting as you can tell. Hope someone can educate me.

[txnduckhntr]

u get a compartment to hunt, after u get one you pay a local to skin it cause its hard work, i paid 50 bucks for 2 to be skinned, one was 4'2" and the other was 9'9"....took mine with a bow at murphee..
fun hunt but you need a small boat for the compartments i hunted in and crossing levees

[db@100]

Did you stalk it, sit and wait, or hook and line?

[ground level]

If you are drawn, you'll receive a hunt leaflet with all the information pertaining to your hunt for the area you apply for. They will also have an orientation on safety, how-to's, regulations and other necessary information for your hunt.

[txnduckhntr]

Did you stalk it, sit and wait, or hook and line?

i drove my 14ft jon boat with 2 other guys about 15miles thru a main canal then winched it over a levee to get to my compartment...way out in BFE

then we drifted and trolling motored the outside ditches which were DEEP and shot gators with our bows..all 3 guys got 2 each. we had a blast and would do it again.

[txnduckhntr]

i also did a hook and line hunt there a couple years ago but it was rather boring

[jbird77]

I think I read you have to buy a sellers permit if you sell your gator to a buyer. Not sure. I do plenty of private land gator hunts but have never done the public draw hunt. Good luck.

[TxouT]

I took my 18' boat and towed a 12' behind to my compartment. Pulled the small boat to my compartment, up & over the levee, put on trolling motor, and get to work. One of the most fun hunts I have ever been on. Gators everywhere, and they weren't too skittish. This was before the hurricane decimated the population and small gators were everywhere. I'm not sure how things are now. I believe that you can still bowhunt them if you are drawn for a general hunt, you don't have to use a pole & line.

[db@100]

So, you get to your area, spot a gator, and you can shoot it with a rifle?

[outlook8]

What if you don't have a boat?

[staplehawk]

This sounds great. How do you typically retrieve the gator after it's been shot? Do they take off far? Float?

[Sniper John]

Different hunt areas often have different rules. Murphree is hook/line set, archery, or hand held snare. In the past they did an experimental hunt letting hunters shoot free swimming alligators, but it is no longer done that way. For Murphree, you have to have a boat for access.

[keestan31]

All of Murphree's compartments are accessed by boat, but make sure it is a small enough boat to pull over the levees. We have rollers that assist in pulling over the levee but it is still alot of work with a heavy boat. I have been hunting out there for a long time and will drive my boat over the rollers but would not suggest it if you dont have experience doing this.

[TxDuck]

why dont u try mad island WMA, better then driving all the way through the canals, and dont have to have a boat on some of them

[outlook8]

Anybody do the Murphree hunt with a kayak or canoe?