Hey guys, I just found out I won the draw on a gator tag at Mad island WMA in three weeks. I have been trying for 6 years to get this tag and don't want to mess it up. I am thinking strongly of buying a crossbow fishing setup for the hunt asap. Any recommendations on where in the Austin area to look? Also, do yall think this is the best method? You can use hook and line, archery, or snare. I just figured out of a pirogue I could do well with a crossbow as well as run a line with bait. Please help a guy out with any advice. I appreciate it in advance.
John

This thread might help some on Gator hunting, but not for sure about the crossbow I know Parker makes a crossbow setup for fishing.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u..._Hu#Post5251287

PM Sniper John a THF mod. I think he has done quite a few alligator hunts. Here is another thread also.
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/5249350/

For sure set you a line and keep some chicken in the back of your truck for about 3-4 days before you head up there.... you will catch one on that sour chicken... higher you set it the bigger the gator

give Paul a call at Double G Archery on highway 29 just east of the toll road in Georgetown. (512) 868-5530

http://www.doublegarchery.com/

thanks a lot guys! I realize I just jumped the gun and didn't search old posts before posting this. I got excited. I appreciate the advice for sure.

Start talking funny. That seems to help.

FYI: the state hunt will most likely only let you use one method. You can either set a line OR use archery, not both. This is to avoid someone potentially catching two gators.

thanks for the heads up, I had planned on calling the wma in the morning and that was on my list of questions for them.

I've never done this, but I have read a bunch about it. If you have one tag, you set one line, and whatever hits it, that is your gator.

With the archery, you know what you're getting before you let the arrow fly. There are setups specific to bowfishing for gators, and some regs you have to follow.

On another note, you would never catch me trying to deal with a pissed off gator with an arrow in him from a pirouge.

Buy the multi season set of Swamp People and study, study, study..

don't listen to then the best way to hunt gator is to coat your entire body in chicken fat as to mask your scent. then get completely naked and stalk the gator. gator are so used to seeing people with clothes on he will not even know you are there.

this is some pretty solid advice guys thanks! I actually love this site because of the sarcasm. cyberpyrot, I'm over 6 feet tall and hairy, Someone one would think a skunk ape was roaming the marsh if I followed that advice. And it would take weeks to get the chicken stink out of my chest hair!

Should hunt during the day and set your line over night... just pull the line while your hunting. The line is the best way to catch one by far... You cant hunt after sunset and before sunrise anyway so you might as well have a line out.

Nav is right. Setting a line overnight in a low-pressured spot is pretty high %.

On our hunt last year all the archery hunters went home empty handed as the decent-sized gators just did not seem to move that much in daylight.

Capt- Shoot me a PM if you've got any specific questions. Never fished Mad but learned a few tricks last year at GDWMA.

Navasot, that was exactly the game plan I had come up with. I plan on focusing more on the line fishing but wanted a backup plan in case it didn't pan out. TxAg, I am starting to get my plan together slowly. I will PM you next week. thank you very much!

can ya bring a friend, if ya need bait, whin it comes ta gators, i'm part chicken & they scare the chit outa me. pretty good with video cam. looking forward ta hearing bout the adventure. like pappy always say's: my buddy went on a gator hunt, all i got was this dang gecho best wishes & safe hunt

its more along the lines of play full banter. I like to joke around. some time it gets misconstruddled :P