Global Sports: What You Need To Start Gator Hunting In Louisiana

Sunday, March 13, 2016

What You Need To Start Gator Hunting In Louisiana

By Ryan Turner


The chasing and catching of animals has always seemed to fascinate humans. Alligators happen to be the largest known reptiles in North America, with Louisiana gators being the biggest. Gator hunting in Louisiana, is one of the most interesting things you might do in your life. Before going on this expedition there are some things you should know.

First, before anyone plans to start hunting here, you need to have a license. If you have your own piece of land and want to conduct the hunt here, you need a permit showing that your land has the gators. You will also require maps that clearly show boundaries, to avoid any cases of trespassing which may lead to legal matters. For people who do not own their own land, you can get signed permission from a land owner to use their space, or use the public waters. You will also need to apply for tags, which will be used after you catch the animals. This tags are not interchangeable.

As with most things, there are specific seasons when you are allowed to hunt. The area is divided into the east and west zone. In the eastern zone, the season begins on the last Wednesday of August, while in the western zone, it starts of the first Wednesday of September. This season will last for thirty days.

Depending on the weather, alligators may be found close to the surface or deeper under water. When it is warm, they tend to come close to the surface to bask. They also tend to feed at dawn or at dusk. It is therefore possible to catch them at any time of the day. The law however, restricts their capture in the night.

Every hunter needs to have good and reliable equipment, which they are familiar with. In this state you can use a bow and arrows, hook and line, or any firearms, apart from shotguns. This are all to make sure that the animals are dispatched, without doing a lot of damage to the hide or the meat. You are not allowed to harass or molest the animals.

These creatures are very large, and are predators by nature. This means that you need to be very careful with them, to avoid getting bitten or killed. You are advised not to taunt or try to entice the creatures, unless you are very experienced. For people planning to seriously take up hunting you should undergo a training course, and get the valid certification, before planning to go on your own.

After the gator has been caught and tagged, it needs to be skinned and processed. The skinning can be a very difficult process and if it done wrong, may end up devaluing the hide. It should therefore be done by somebody with experience.

You need not be an experienced hunter to engage in this sport. You can hire a guided tour through the bayou and get to see the professionals at work. This will give you the thrill of the tour, while keeping you out of harms way. While in the area you can visit the city Pierre Park, for a chance to feed, touch and take photos with the reptiles.




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