Choooot'um Choooot'um was a saying quite frequent last month while I alligator hunted with good friend in Florida.
My buddy down there is a well knowledged alligator hunter and he put me on several spot-n-stalk opportunities throughout the evening. It was an adrenaline junkies rush to be in the water anywhere from ankle to waist deep staring at gators that would sometimes swim straight towards you!
While we glassed for gators, chuckled swamp people sayings, ribbed each other, snacked on deer smokies and guzzled Monster energy drinks, waded in water over our boots and found plenty of fire ants on dry ground I must say there were plenty of spot-n-stalk opportunities for gators.
While wading out in water that was well up over my boots it did not seem to matter at the time that this pre historic looking lizard that had just chased off two smaller gators was now swimming directly towards me to investigate what intruder was now splashing and making ripples in the waters he called home. As the gator closed the distance I drew my bow and Mike hit him with the light, it was then that he stopped, motionless in the water for what seemed like an eternity!
Finally when he started to turn to his right and swim I let the heavy gator arrow fly from a 70lb Elite Z-28 and as the point buried into the gator he shot straight up out of the water to his front shoulders like he was being shot out of a cannon!
Immediately he emptied the 25 yards of 400# line from the retriever reel and I grabbed the float from the end of the bow as the fight was on. I almost let go of the float several times in fear of him A) pulling the special gator point out, B) breaking the line or C) PULLING ME IN!
The power of these lizards is nothing short of amazing and to feel them demonstrate it first hand is impressive to say the least.
My gator taped out at 10'-9" in length and weighed in just over 400 lbs. I have already grilled some gator steaks and must say it is very tasty! I highly recommend that if anyone is looking to experience a swamp creature encounter up close send me a pm and I will put you in contact with a good guide.
