'gator hunting

[Homesteader]

I asked a similar question a while back, and as fate would have it there will actually be an alligator season here in SC this year. Apparently you can shoot it after snaring and bringing it alongside your boat or to ground.

I'm curious, now that it's more than theoretical: if you were a dyed-in-the-wool smokepole shooter and simply would not go centerfire, what arm / load would you use for 'gator? I guess it'd be a lot like old-time buffalo hunting in that you'd be at point blank range.

(I'd love to try it with a bow-rig, similar to bow fishing. Wouldn't that be something?)

 

[brubincam]

-----get a big bore rifle or smoothy and a harpoon to fit-----

 

[LRB]

A .22 RF is all it takes to kill the biggest of them. Pop him right in the ear on an angle that is in line with his walnut size brain. The skulls are worth good money. Don't mess it up with a cannon. Even better, axe him hard at the junction of the head, and spine. They don't thrash around after that.

 

[cptleo1]

Like Wick says they don't take a lot of killing.

I would recommend something with a short barrel CUZ you are going to be up front and personal.

Range is only be a couple of feet.

You will most likely be shooting out of a boat.

You will be doing it at night a cap gun might be easier to load.

The easiest safest weapon is a .44 Mag 5 foot 'Bang Stick'.

I have turned more than my share into belts and boots.

Have fun and BE CAREFUL

Leo

 

[cptleo1]

One of my favorite Gator pic's

You will be about two feet from his head when it is crunch time.



/[IMG]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/cptleo1/ccc.jpg[/img]

 

[Rancocas]

I don't know anything about alligators, but some time ago I read that after they reach about 8' they develope some kind of hard bumps under their skin that pretty much makes the hide worthless. Anyone know about that?

 

[LRB]

We call them buttons. As far as I know they are scar tissue from certain parasites, and injury. The amount will vary from gator to gator. His history, and habitat, but most large gators will have some.

 

[Homesteader]

:shocked2: