NANCE: Some tips for day time gator hunters as the season approaches
While gator hunting at noon sounds dreadful in the scorching August sun, the new 24-hour schedule does afford hunters so inclined seven more hours a day of opportunity and flexibility when scheduling adventures. And, these new hours provide at least some relief to those such as myself who enjoy early morning hunts and have often pondered the legal parameters of fighting a gator beyond the previous cut-off hour of 10 a.m.
Our crew bumped up against this issue three years ago, tangled up with a pair of stout gators who wouldn’t be budged off a river bottom after they swallowed rotten chicken baits around 9 a.m. Putting our backs into the snatch rods and with at least one eye on the clock, we managed to subdue and boat both mere minutes before legal time expired, but the question remained, “What if?”
I know the answer but will plead the Fifth.
Well, no worries now as around-the-clock gator hunting, within the regulations of the Statewide Alligator Harvest Program, was adopted by FWC earlier this year. And I applaud the decision. Gator permits are valuable commodities, and maximizing the chances permit holders have to hunt is welcome, especially when you consider the number of evenings and nights ruined by normal summer thunderstorms or the occasional hurricane.
I don’t anticipate many issues with the new schedule, but this deal will be a bit different as more gator hunters emerge from the darkness and into the waking hours of the general public who utilize Florida’s waterways for other activities. Learning how to hunt with these various users around will require patience. We’re fairly accustomed to early morning or late evening bass fishermen and pleasure boaters, but you’d be shocked by the remote locations where water skiers and personal watercraft will show up and how easily they snag braided bait lines when rounding a river bend at high speeds.
Aside from the potential for user conflicts, day time gator hunters should keep some other things in mind to prevent ruining their catch as that prized gator meat will spoil fast in the sun.
FWC recommends cooling the alligator to under 45 degrees within four hours of harvest. Generally speaking, arrangements with processors can be made within this time, but they are particular about the condition in which they’ll buy gators, so plan on having several bags of ice handy and a blanket to cover the animal. At the very least, move the gator out of direct sunlight, regardless of if it’s destined for a processor or you’ll clean it yourself.
Also, be mindful of where you discard the remains, if you process your own gators. Dumping them along roadway ditches or into waterways erodes public faith in our stewardship of this resource. As such, FWC advises double-bagging carcasses in 55-gallon commercial grade trash bags for your weekly pick-up or disposal in a local landfill. Aside from that, you can always bury it on private lands.
For more information on processors, where to hunt, how to hunt, how to clean the gators, and so much more, please visit myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/harvest/
This webpage is an absolute must-read for anyone new to the game and even for seasoned vets to assure they’re up-to-date with the rules.
One final thing, as I’m feeling generous — I’ll share my favorite gator tail recipe.
First, cut the tail meat into two-inch chunks and whack with a tenderizer mallet. Soak it overnight in buttermilk and Cajun seasoning. The next day, rinse off the buttermilk and toss in Moss or House Autry Seafood Breader. Fry in canola oil until browned and remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Squirt with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
For dipping options, any hot sauce will work, but I really like Thai sweet chili sauces or, to go in another direction, a horseradish mustard.
Florida's 2022 Statewide Alligator Harvest Program kicks off at midnight on Aug. 15 and ends Nov. 1. If you have a permit, always double-check that you're hunting on the phase and dates in which your permit was assigned and know the boundaries of the area you're permitted to hunt. Sounds like a "no-duh," but I've witnessed people make these errors, unintentionally, more than once.
I would hate for anyone to get busted for this in the broad daylight.
Enjoy and best of luck this gator season.
If you have any exciting gator hunting stories to share, drop me a line at inance880@aol.com
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: NANCE: Some tips for day time gator hunters as the season approaches
