Advice for Public Alligator Hunt Needed

So after 8yrs my dad and I finally got picked. We're headed to J.D. Murphree the 22nd and 23rd of Sept. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Is it better to go on the first hunts or later hunts or does it matter. Ive heard rotten chicken quaters 6"+ above the water. If you've already gone on a hunt like this or even more specific at JD Murhpree please tell me about it. Thanks in advance.

Travis

Absolutely. SniperJohn on here helped me out before, I will pay it forward. We were drawn for Guadalupe Delta WMA last year.

Gear-wise it is pretty simple. Here is how we made out "Gator rigs": 50' of light nylon rope main line, tied to a doubled-up 5' leader. The leader is generally made of strong string with a 300lb or higher test rating (we used trot line string). I say doubled up because you will have two lines going from the rope main line to the hook. This is in case one gets abraded or broken. The hook is a 10/0 to 12/0 heavy "J" hook.

For bait we used "stinky" chicken quarters. Suspend the bait anywhere between 8" and 30"+ over the water. The higher the bait, the bigger a gator it will take to get it. If you want to be picky and hold out for a big boy, hang it high. If you just want to catch a gator, hang it lower. You can hang it off of an over-hanging tree, or use a "calcutta pole" which is just a long cane pole. At GDWMA, they handed out calcutta poles and stakes to the hunters, not sure if JDM will or not. Use clothes pins to pin the line to the pole. When the gator grabs the chicken, the pin will pop loose. Tie the main line off to a tree or a heavy stake hammered into the ground.

Most state areas don't allow pistols or rifles for the coup-de-grace on the gator. We used a 12 ga with slugs, worked like a charm.

I have never been to JD Murphee but I'm guessing you will need a boat of some sort. It does not need to be a big boat. We used a 14' wooden boat similar to a jon boat. Held 3 guys and 2 gators no problem.

It's a real blast, and we had a great time. Feel free to shoot me any more questions, and good luck.

your guna need a boat, and not your buddies mud boat!

Sniper John has treated us to some good posts on Gator hunting, here is one and there are several more if you search back some for alligator postings by SJ

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u..._Su#Post5139192

JD will give you the poles and an orientation, they are good guys out there and have lots of gators. We use a 410 with bird shot, it kills them just as good without making the mess a large shotgun does to the hide.

I'll be there too compadre, on the 17th and 18th. After the hunt, I'll pm you with the particulars.

Awesome! Thanks

If it is permitted I would go out to the area that you will be allowed to hunt in a week before and do some looking to try to locate some Gators. midday will be the best time when they are laying on the bank or logs catching some Sun.

Hunted there last year....you show up...they assign you an area. They issue you gear and let you go. You get to hunt your area, then set your line. Come back in the morning and check your line. We both took 7 ft gators. There was a guy there would skin and quarter your gator...I think it was $50.00. Everyone there took a gator last year...it was a blast...the guy that work there are great. Good luck!!!