Archive for February 20th, 2014

TPW TV/Hunting: Alligators

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

American Alligator, photo TPWD

American Alligator, photo TPWD



This is Passport to Texas

It’s a hot muggy afternoon in an east Texas marsh, and it’s time to hunt for alligators. We tag along with some lucky hunters that get a chance of a lifetime to hunt alligators at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area.

54—The area that we’re hunting in, it’s a vast bayou of swamps and marshes, with canals running through. The adrenaline rush is way more than deer hunting or anything else because you’re after something that can actually get you.

There’s one probably about 10 foot and two seven footers right up here. In about 150 yards we’re going to try and put a set.

Never been gator hunting before. You know you see ‘em on TV. See the alligator shows. And, this is exactly what it looks like.

Our bait is chicken thigh quarters…

Those smell savory.

It’s savory; that’s for sure. Mmmm.

And we let ‘em sit out in the sun for a day or two and it got quite ripe.

Upwind is better than downwind when you get those things out. [distant laughter] I am amped up; adrenaline’s pumping, and then it’s on!

Alligator hunting – it’s just not like anything else I’ve ever done. You know, there’s one on the line and you start pulling me in. I don’t know. You get anxious, you get excited. You get nervous.

But did they get their gator? Find out on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series the week of February 23. Check local listings.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series… For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.