Alligators are still protected under federal law. ... Today no state allows indiscriminate killing of wild alligators. In regions where the species is considered to have recovered to normal population levels, most states have regulated hunting seasons. A permit is required to legally harvest alligators.

What do they do with the alligators they shoot?

The alligator hides are used in a variety of luxury goods such as shoes, belts, suitcases and leather. As a result of this, Swamp People can make lots of money by selling the alligators after catching them.

How do they kill alligators?

After being harpooned or hooked, the alligator is fought to exhaustion (the suffering animal often fights to escape for more than an hour), drawn close to the boat, and killed by lowering his or her head beneath the water and firing a bangstick (bangsticks discharge a firearm cartridge on contact).

Should you play dead with an alligator?

If you play dead, you might become dead. Flanagan: So, in review, if you're attacked by an alligator, run away. If it's too late, fight back, don't try to pry open its jaws. Attack the sensitive snout, and gouge the eyes, and definitely do not play dead.

What spot do you shoot an alligator?

To safely and humanely dispatch the alligator aim for the center of the spine directly behind the skull plate. Do not shoot through the skull plate. The skull of an alligator is very dense bone and fragments may ricochet.

Man arrested after shooting alligator to protect livestock

31 related questions found

Are alligators bulletproof?

They are lightning-quick, instinctual to attack, and can sense movement in the water with their acutely tuned senses. However, this thick skin is hardly safe from bullets. ... Alligator skin is definitely not designed for bullet protection and shooting a bullet at it will puncture a hole right through!

What size gun do they use to shoot alligators?

Rifles in calibers 243, 270, 30-06 are a great choice and handguns in calibers 357, . 44 and . 45 are best. We provide all licenses and permits for these hunts as well as handle all of the paperwork associated with the alligator harvest.

Why do you run zig zag from an alligator?

Zigzag – If an alligator runs at you, you should run in a zigzag pattern to avoid getting caught. Alligators can reach speeds of 25 mph, so you are only going to slow your escape if you do not run straight, as fast as you can, away from an alligator.

Has an alligator ever killed a human?

A 12-foot-long alligator believed to have attacked Satterlee was captured and killed on September 13, 2021. Human remains were found in its stomach. ... The victim was pulled under and drowned by an alligator in a pond behind a home near Salt Cedar Lane, Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

What should you do if an alligator attacks you in the water?

Do your best to stay calm and fight back strategically.

1. If the crocodilian merely bites you at first and lets go, this is probably a defensive attack. Don't wait or try to attack it, just run away as quickly as you can.
2. If the animal seizes hold of you, however, it will likely try to drag you into the water.

Can a 9mm kill a gator?

To the brain, a 9mm will kill a gator no questions asked. The issue is, you're probably not going to be able to make a brain shot in a self defense situation.

How much is a gator worth?

How much is a Gator worth? The current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet, according to local hunters and processors.

Is it easy to kill an alligator?

Shooting alligators is a really difficult thing to do successfully, and especially for those who have to get close to the alligator while it is still alive, it can also be quite risky.

How much money does an alligator hunter make?

Usually, alligator hunters work freelance and don't make any money until they have an alligator to show. How much a hunter makes can vary greatly. However, some hunters report that they can earn up to $40 per foot of the alligator.

Can you shoot an alligator in self defense?

A. Yes, in a case of self-defense. However, if you were not armed at the time you saw the alligator, but got a weapon and returned to shoot the alligator, you could not claim self defense.

Is alligator hunting legal?

With the appropriate licenses and tags, the American alligator can legally be hunted in the Southeastern United States. The states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas all distribute alligator hunting licenses.

Would an alligator eat a human?

Why Alligators Don't Like to Eat Humans. Not only are alligators not likely to chase you a long distance on dry land, they're not likely to attack you at all [source: The Croc Docs]. Alligators prefer an easy meal. ... Even large alligators typically choose prey that's relatively small, which is good news for adult humans.

Is it safe to swim with alligators?

Do not allow your dogs or children to swim in waters inhabited by alligators, or to drink or play at the water's edge. To an alligator, a splash potentially means a food source is in the water. It is best to avoid swimming in areas that are known habitats for large alligators but at the least, never swim alone.

Do alligators have a purpose?

Alligators play an important role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Sitting at the top of the food chain, alligators are apex predators and help keep other animal populations in balance. By digging holes and leaving trails throughout marshes, they create habitats for fish and marine invertebrates.

How do you fend off an alligator?

If that happens, don't try to stop it. Roll with it, but fight like your life depends on it—because it might. Poke it in the eyes, shove an arm down its throat, and punch it on the end of its sensitive snout. The key is to convince the alligator that you're not worth the trouble, Mazzotti says.

Are Crocodiles more aggressive than alligators?

Behavior. Crocodiles are often regarded as much more aggressive than alligators. While you should avoid contact with both animals at all costs, alligators in the Everglades tend to be more docile than crocodiles, only attacking if hungry or provoked.

Can alligators climb fences?

You may wonder, “Can alligators climb fences?” Just have a look at this video: Alligators can climb chain link fences. Period. Some of them can climb a 5 feet high chain link fence without any major difficulty (however it's not typical).

Can you shoot an alligator on your property in Florida?

“But if it's an animal they can only get that animal on our property.” Alligators are protected under Florida law and FWC is taking those rules seriously. ... That means you're not allowed to shoot and kill alligators unless you're defending yourself.

Are alligators protected?

The American alligator is Federally protected by the Endangered Species Act as a Threatened species, due to their similarity of appearance to the American crocodile, and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Can you shoot an alligator in the mouth?

Shooting an alligator on the soft part of his belly or leg or even inside the mouth won't do you any good either because alligators have something like an auto-pilot setting built into their nervous system and so they just keep coming.