Yesterday I wrapped up my Alligator Hunt at Guadalupe Delta WMA. My two buddies and I had a blast. We had three tags, and were able to successfully take 2 gators, both around 8.5 ft.

We rolled in Tuesday morning for orientation and check in.


There were about 10 folks drawn, and about 15 more showed up hoping to go Standby. They were only able to take 1 additional group of 3. The biologist explained the rules, showed us the WMA boundaries, then lined out the groups. We were fishing from a small boat that we could hand-launch, so we got placed in a secluded little bayou that you could only get to on foot.



It was a pretty little waterway and we were excited. We spent the first afternoon scouting it out, looking for slides and gators.



We set our first two lines at good-looking spots. One spot showed evidence of a big gator, we were stoked. Then, about 3pm, we spotted a good-sized gator out in the water. She let us get within 15 yards or so in the boat before going under.



We immediately set our last line near where we saw her. We cruised on down to the end, then came back to check about 30 minutes later. Sure enough, line down. She was very fresh, which made for a fun fight on the line. But, soon we had her dispatched, taped, and in the boat.



That would be it for day 1. We went back to the check station to butcher her, then headed home to let the other two lines do their work overnight. First gator for our crew, 8.5 ft.



The next morning broke with a beautiful sunrise and we were back at it. The first line we came to was still up, but the next one was down. Gator on! This gator was pretty played out, so we had her dispatched and in the boat pretty quick.



Since it was hot, we opted to beach the boat and get her take care of. We loaded her up in the truck, took care of her, and grabbed some lunch.

Loaded in the truck:


Turned out she went 8 3/4 ft.



About this point in the trip, things took a real sour turn. I had one of the worst experiences with other so-called "hunters" that I've ever had. It seems while at the check station this other group of three guys heard we'd bagged two decent gators. I guess they hadn't had any luck so they decided they'd jump into our spot. While we were at lunch, they launched their boat. We pull up to find a trailer, and immediately get curious.

Now, I'm not one to deny anybody a good shot at success. I was a little annoyed that they'd jump into our water without telling us first, but was ok with it assuming they'd fish far away from our remaining line. Not so. They set a line RIGHT ON TOP of our existing line. This little bayou was only about 40 yards wide, but was over a mile long, so they had plenty of room. But no, they chose to take advantage of all the scouting and baiting we'd already done. The very definition of Potlickers.

I was hot. I just couldn't understand why they'd do something so discourteous to others, and I told them as much. They wouldn't even look me in the eye, and didn't seem to care. I also wasn't going to sink to their level and do anything like cut their line. Just had to live with it.

I've done several Public Hunts. Most folks you meet out there are courteous and honest. These guys were the worst kind. They lied to us at every turn. They took advantage of other people, and they broke the hunt rules at the WMA. They were in it only for themselves and didn't have a care about anyone else. My faith tells me they will get their just desserts in the end.

The next morning we came back to find our line still up, but theirs was down. I hear they caught a big one, hope it was worth it.

Alright, enough about all that. All in all, we had a blast. Even though things had a sour end, it was still a very fun hunt. We bagged two good gators, and had alot of laughs in the process. I want to thank SniperJohn on here for some advice on the riggin'. I also want to thank the biologist and staff at the WMA for putting on a great hunt, they are 1st-class guys. Time for a gator fry!

Good story! Hope it was a fun trip!!!

Congrats!
Sorry it ended sour.

Thanks for the write-up. Looks like a blast!

Good story and good job keeping your cool!
I'd be the first to say, "Well I'd do this and I'd do that."
Truth be told I probably wouldn't do much but have a bad attitude that would probably spoil the trip.

You did good, congrats on that and your sucess!

Congratulations on your success!

x2

Great Story and you have great outlook on the POTLICKERS.

I read this yesterday and thought about it last night. All I can say is good job man. Good job on the hunt and a REALLY good job on keeping your cool. If the world had more people like you guys stuff like this wouldnt happen. Sadly there are way to many people like those other guys who feel like the world owes them something or there special and can do as they please. I believe you are very correct. The world has a way of repaying things like this. Both for you and for them. Nice gators btw.

Good for ya'll. Glad to have an inside look at a real gator hunt without all the drama and special effects we all see on T.V.

I commend you on keeping your cool and not sinking to their level, though I'm sure it was tough. Karma is a ----.

Congrats on the memories made.

Sorry for the bad ending, but at least you had some success.

Sorry for the bad ending, but at least you had some success.

Thanks guys. Not going to lie, it was hard to not start swinging and let them know exactly how I felt about them. But, I had to remember a) I'm supposed to be the bigger man, b) I got two small kids and a wife, can't be going to jail, and c) I don't want to get banned from future state hunts!

So, just had to let the sorry SOBs get away with it. Like was said above, what goes around comes around.

Looks like it was a great time. Thanks for sharing.

Great hunt and pics. Thanks for sharing.

I absolutely deplore potlickers. They're as bad as Democrats.

Very cool, congrats to all!

Great job on the hunt.

Sorry to hear about the jerks.. what what comes around goes around.

Petriheil! I think it's more of a fishing trophy than a hunting trophy.

Great writeup and pictures. Thanks for posting. Sorry to hear about the trouble though. We are headed for the Gus Engeling hunt next weekend, so I especially enjoyed reading the post.

Saw this guy on the news with his 13 foot gator he killed this past weekend at Guadalupe.
Is this the guy that poached your spot?




http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9250475

nice gator! what caliber did you use? and how exactly did you track him down?

Man that looks like fun.