Alligator hunting in SW Arkansas

**Kmag yo yo** · 08-16-2019, 05:00 PM

Hi folks. I amazingly was lucky enough to get an alligator tag for Private Lands in Zone 1, which is Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller and Sevier Counties in the SW corner of the state. I know a lot of y'all hunt as well as fish, so I thought I'd see if anybody out there owns, leases or has access to some private property with good gator habitat. The season is the last 2 weekends of September. I know there is someone down there that has a big gator on their property that would like to have it taken out. Of course anybody that can get me into a good spot is welcome to come along for the hunt if they want to. I am a mature, responsible hunter that would totally respect the wishes of any landowner, and definitely not tear stuff up, leave gates open, litter or cause any kind of drama or mischief while I am a guest on their place. Just want to kill a gator. My name is Richard Finch, and my phone is 501-831-3521. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**stormcloud** · 08-16-2019, 06:40 PM

You are in for some fun. You will not believe how strong they are. I drew in 2010 and caught a 10 ft 2 inch but I don't know anyone on that side of the state.
If you don't get a response, go to a co-op or ag chem dealer in that area and talk to one of their field men. They will know who has gators and if in good
standing, can probably hook you up. Especially if you take him with you. Just another note, it is supper hard to get a harpoon to penetrate that hide and get
it to stay in. Go with the loop pole. Let us know how you do. Also they will stay up better using a red light than using a white light.

**NIMROD** · 08-16-2019, 06:46 PM

I was lucky enough to dr.aw several years back . I took A public land Gator in Southeast Arkansas. It turned cool and was lucky to get one short of 8' . They are not bad eating . I apply ever year but it is a tough permit to draw . Good Luck . Better take help to run boat , lights and haul in Gator .

**trypman1** · 08-17-2019, 09:30 AM

I wish you luck, be fully prepaired!

**Kmag yo yo** · 08-18-2019, 03:55 PM

I went to their gator class yesterday, and I'm thinking I will try to use a snare instead of harpoon if I can at all. The red light is a new one on me but Ill try to find one. I grew up doing a lot of frog hunting, which is kind of the same thing, on a smaller and less dangerous scale. Thanks for the tips. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

**Kmag yo yo** · 08-18-2019, 04:01 PM

Okay, Ill do that. Got plenty of guys volunteering to help, so I don't thing that'll be a problem. I sure wish I could have gotten a public land tag. The first Email that they sent me said it was for public land on Millwood, which would have been great. Then they sent a follow-up that said the first one was wrong and I was on private lands. I complained a little bit but they're gonna do what they're gonna do. I've got several feelers out there that I'm working on, just haven't gotten the signed permission slip from the right person yet.

**Skippa Chippa** · 08-18-2019, 10:19 PM

So let me get this straight, you get to go out at night with a harpoon and puncture the hide or use a snare to go around his neck and then you dispatch him? Can you set lines with hooks like Swamp People? Good luck hanging on to a big gator they are powerful.

**stormcloud** · 08-19-2019, 06:29 AM

Kmag, put a boat buoy on the end of your snare rope in case one did take the rope away from you. You can go back to it and start over. Mississippi Forestry will
make you up any length snare you want. The standard snares are a little short and make a smaller loop. Mississippi Forestry 800-647-5368. 100 inch was a
good length for me.

**hdhntr** · 08-19-2019, 09:17 AM

You mean they have gators in Arkansas? did not know that. Good hunting!

**Kmag yo yo** · 08-22-2019, 12:28 PM

Yeah, they require the gator to be attached to a line of some kind before you shoot em. The only 2 options are either a snare or noose around their neck or a harpoon that has a line attached. You can't bait them, catch them with a hook or anything else. Then you gotta just hang on and let them wear themself out until they're still enough to get a good shot. Should be quite a rodeo, especially if it's a really giant gator. I'll have a float on the end, if it looks like it's too large to tie to the boat, although if i just turn it loose with the float there's always the chance it'll dive down and get all tangled up in underwater trees and brush. I'd rather have it tied to the boat unless it looks like it's so big it'd turn the boat over or climb up into the boat with me.

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