TPWD Drawn Alligator Hunts

[SolocamShooter]

Was thinking about entering for the alligator hunts and was kinda wondering how they were run and how you hunted them. Thanks.

[BillfromFtWorth]

Before entering these make sure you have a boat or can borrow one, and make sure you don't mind putting it though hell. They basically will take your money at the check station, cover the regulations and say have at it.

[txnduckhntr]

been there and done that at murphee. did the hook and line and archery.
hook and line is pretty cool and the guys there are a huge help. but, theres not much too the hunt, find a good place and set up your pole and bait, and wait. lots of opportunity to fish and drink cold refrshments!!
the archery hunt is alot of fun and is alot more exciting. you are assigned a compartment and then you have all day(sun-up to sundown) to bowfish for gators. the year i went if you shot a gator under 6 ft u was issued a second tag. i got a 4 1/2 ft'r and with my 2nd tag got a 8'8". they dont fight much, and you dispatch them with a 410.
our compartment/unit was about a 5 mile boat ride, so we used a 21 ft bass boat to get there and then crawled into my 14 ft jon boat and just drifted, trolled and stalked our gator. 3 of us got 5 . the biggest 8'8" and the smalest about 3 foot.
its a blast and would gladly do it again, especially the archery hunt.
PM if you have any questions

[SolocamShooter]

OK, that pretty much answered my questions. Thanks.

[MountainMan]

That sounds like a BLAST. We're goin to have to put together a TBH Gator Hunt!

[sector42]

The archery hunt sounds fun. My wife doesn't hunt, but for some reason, says she wants to go gator hunting. Guess she loves the deer too much to shoot them. I'm definitely putting her in for the draw.

[muley4x4]

Wow that sounds really cool. How hard is is it to draw a tag?

[txnduckhntr]

Wow that sounds really cool. How hard is is it to draw a tag?

i have drawn 2 outta 3 times i applied.

[RobinBradbery]

I have applied six times and got drawn once.

[fishdog]

im zero for 4 attempts at getting drawn.

[Frogfuz]

I'm batting .500 (2 for 4). First time I went was about 15 yrs ago with a couple of cousins. Had a blast! You can only hunt one method at a time so we put out two baits and traded turns taking shots with the bow. Got 2, one each method.
Fast forward to 3 years ago, went solo in my SOT kayak, but was unsuccessful. I toggled between bait and archery. I know I know, but as a prior post stated, they don't really put up a fight until you're within feet of them. Besides, I'm not going to arrow a gator over 6' (by myself).
Year after, again solo, left the bow @ home and got an 8 footer with bait and line. A few days before you go (should you get drawn), put a 1/4 chicken on a 14/0-16/0 hook (might need to visit H-Town or other Gulf city). Oh, be sure to tie the hook to parachute cord or leather strip. Gators twist and spin when hooked and I have personal experience that they will crimp/bend/ and break wire rated at 400#, almost broke through 49 strand cable! Anyway hang the chicken in a bucket outside and let it rot (stinkier the better). You might need to tie it up a little like you would with a turkey's legs. The hunt coordinators will provide everything else.
Bring plenty of really sharp knives and one of those large bags of salt you get from Sam's Club.

[txnduckhntr]

Who drew?
I struck out

[fishnhuntdad]

no good for me again!! anyone ever try standby?

[mossman500]

Snake eyes for me also!!