Alligator Hunting

[EHCRain10]

Im planning on going on a guided alligator hunt this summer.

The website doesnt really give much of a guide for what to bring in terms of firearms. They recommend a firearm capable of taking deer sized animals.
I will be going after an alligator in the 4-6 feet long size if that matters much.
I am trying to decide between a few of my guns, i have a Reminton 710 chambered in 243win, an AR in 223 with a 20inch barrel, a Beretta CX4 in 9mm, and a Mossberg 500 in 20ga with a 20inch slug barrel.
which of those guns would you suggest? i am the most accurate with the 9mm and the average shot distance is advertised as being less than 75yards.
Where should i aim for a clean kill?
I get to keep the head hide and meat.
any recommendations for recipes, or taxidermists to tan the hide and such would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help!

[elmer fudd]

first of all you lucky %$&@*#$! LOL but i would go with the 243 is my favorite little bigger than 223 ti be safe wont leave a huge hole like a 270 will so go with the 243

[sell33]

lol i had a dream i was alligator hunitng a couple weeks ago...it was scary tho these musta been giants cause i swear they were at least ten ft long and for some reason i was in the water with them.....

o anyway....not sure how tough they are but if a deer rifle is reccomended from your list i would take the 243.

[EHCRain10]

I also have a Remington 700 in 308 but it recoils a bit much for me to have a fast follow up shot, might lend that to my brother if he decides to join.

the website for the guide service website is
Florida Bass Fishing Brag'n Board: January 1999 Bass Fishing Reports

[jmp8927]

I would go for the .243 for something under 7 feet or so. I don't know a whole lot about gator hunting, but that's what makes sense to me. The .308 would definitely kill it though and if you came up on anything bigger, it'd kill that to.

[ezearln]

Here in Texas if you're going for Gators be prepared to spend several hours reading the regulation book word for word. I guess they are making it so specific on just how the critters can be taken because of the danger level in hunting them! The regs at least here in Texas are quite specific as to what , when, how the critters can be hunted and even more specific about what techniques MUST be used to take them. I read them through twice and I'm still confused LOL

[wunhunglo]

If you're planning on Aligator shoes, check their feet size before you shoot!

[perdidochas]

Originally Posted by EHCRain10

Im planning on going on a guided alligator hunt this summer.

The website doesnt really give much of a guide for what to bring in terms of firearms. They recommend a firearm capable of taking deer sized animals.
I will be going after an alligator in the 4-6 feet long size if that matters much.
I am trying to decide between a few of my guns, i have a Reminton 710 chambered in 243win, an AR in 223 with a 20inch barrel, a Beretta CX4 in 9mm, and a Mossberg 500 in 20ga with a 20inch slug barrel.
which of those guns would you suggest? i am the most accurate with the 9mm and the average shot distance is advertised as being less than 75yards.
Where should i aim for a clean kill?
I get to keep the head hide and meat.
any recommendations for recipes, or taxidermists to tan the hide and such would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the help!

Telephone the place before you book. Ask them their recommendation based on the guns you have. Pretty much all of your questions should be addressed to them. They probably know some taxidermists and good recipes. This kind of thing requires local knowledge.

[7mmremmag1995]

hmmmmmmmmm. alligator and BBQ? never tasted that

[EHCRain10]

i know that i wont be very good at judging the size of them so that is why I chose a guided hunt, I'll shoot after Im told to shoot, I going to be paying for their help and plan to make as much use of it as possible

[Nathan123]

I have seen quite a few Alligators now. I shouldnt think they would be real difficult to kill, but when hunting something that can kill you i always like to be twice as sure i have something that is up to the task. Alot of calibres will do the job when everything goes right, but how many of them will do the job when everything goes wrong. But that being said use what you feel comfortable and confident in using, because you could have the biggest rifle you can find, but if you cant shoot it confidently and put that projectile where you want it, then it wont be much good to you. I dont think you should have to worry about an alligator charging you like a buffalo or an elephant, in a its either him or me situation, but they can still kill you. From what i have learned from hunting near Salt Water Crocs though, if he wants me there wont be much i can do about it, it will be game over before you know what hit you. You should be right though, those alligators are very timid compared to a big old salty, (kinda like our Rugby league vs your NFL - both are a tough game, but only one of us wears shoulder pads, HAHAHAHA j/k)

Either way mate, i hope you have a good trip, and remeber to post lots of photos when you get home. I say if you can shoot that .243 more confidently and acuurately than your .308 then that is what you should use. But it was good advice someone else suggested earlier to contact the people who you booked the hunt with, they will be able to tell you what they reccomend, they would know better than me or anyone else here.

[Mooseman684]

for Gator...45-70 !!! Killed a 16 ft. Gator in Florida with one shot between the eyes !!! Gator Tail...Yummy !
Rich

[tlarkin]

just make sure after you tag one you say a cheesy Schwarzenegger line from that movie he did where he killed the gators, "You're luggage!"

[ezearln]

Deep fried filet o Wally' Gator with coleslaw and hush puppies yuuum yummm git r' done son....

[Tater]

Arent gator suppose to have a thickish hide? I personally would toat the 308.

[sell33]

yeah i didn't know you had a 308 before i would take that if you can put the first one where it counts that follow up shouldn't matter much...

[Phil Lozano]

First let me say, I have never hunted Gators, but some of my clients have shot Crocs.

They are the toughest critter to kill dead with one shot.

You must brain them, or break their neck . . . . . . . . . . . period !

Their brains are about the size of a golf ball (smaller on a Croc under 14 ft.), so your shot must be accurate, and you must know where the brain lays in the skull.

If you shoot him in the lungs, he'll run like a race horse, hit the water and he's gone, most likely forever. It will happen so fast, there will not be any accurate follow up shots, even with a semi-auto.

The neck shot is a little bit easier because it is easier to visualize. However, you will need a bit more power to penetrate all the way through the spinal cord. Also, you will need a very good bullet, I like Swift A-Frames, as they will open up and retain their weight.
But, because they do open up well and hold together, you will need enough H.P. to push them through.

I'd choose the 308 with 180 grain Swifts.

IMHO

Best,
Phil
______________________________
Professional Hunter ~ Tanzania

Stay out of sight and down wind

Phil Lozano Tanzania Trophy Expeditions - Dangerous Game Specialists

[Onesonek]

Originally Posted by Phil Lozano

First let me say, I have never hunted Gators, but some of my clients have shot Crocs. They are the toughest critter to kill dead with one shot.

You must brain them, or break their neck . . . . . . . . . . . period !

Their brains are about the size of a golf ball (smaller on a Croc under 14 ft.), so your shot must be accurate, and you must know where the brain lays in the skull.

If you shoot him in the lungs, he'll run like a race horse, hit the water and he's gone, most likely forever. It will happen so fast, there will not be any accurate follow up shots, even with a semi-auto.

The neck shot is a little bit easier because it is easier to visualize. However, you will need a bit more power to penetrate all the way through the spinal cord. Also, you will need a very good bullet, I like Swift A-Frames, as they will open up and retain their weight. But, because they do open up well and hold together, you will need enough H.P. to push them through.

I'd choose the 308 with 180 grain Swifts.

IMHO

Best,
Phil

I have never had the pleasure of hunting gators or crocs. But I have a good friend in FL. that hunts gators as often as he can tags. He says the same thing, there are no follow ups, no second chances. You either have the shot(angle) to anchor them on the spot as Phil said, or you pass. A slight miss and they're gone. He uses a .358 winny with a 250 gr. and as Phil also stated, a spine shot right behind the skull.

Dave

[ezearln]

The apparent best shot as I understand it is to put your shot just aft of the gators or crocs "Smile" according to diagrams I have seen this is in direct line with the spine and seemingly any heavy well constructed projectile of sufficient caliber (.30 or better) should do the job well, not to say I haven't seen my share of gators took with a .22Mag off a drag line set just for gators!

[forestgleaner]

I thought they sank when you shot them, so you ussually have to harpon them, or shoot them with a bow or cross bow, with a line attached to your arrow or bolt. Then when they tucker out a bit, you pull them up close, and brain them, then they dake off again, and do it all over again. lol. Alligator tail is good, had it blackened once, really good.