Rifle Alligator hunt in FL

[Pronghorn]

I have the opportunity to go on a Alligator hunt at a fruit farm in Florida. The owner tells me that it will be anywhere from 20 to 100 yards. What caliber/firearm would be best? I was thinking about just using my 30-06 but I don't know if that is really the best option.

I guess the main question is, just how tough are these things!? I won't be shooting it in the head like most people do so I will have to take a shot at it's vitals. Some of the people that I talk to make an 8 foot gator sound like its straight out of Jurassic Park.

 

[Yarddog]

In a (Imaginary) story, I heard of a guy that shot one behind the shoulder with a .270 & it was DRT ; )
Y/D

 

[desidog]

I won't be shooting it in the head like most people do

Don't rule that out yet.

If you don't anchor them on the spot, you'll have a lot of fun wading after a wounded gator in the water, trying to recover it...that's why most people aim for the brain base...about the size of a golf ball, and a better chance of DRT. I'd take whatever you're most accurate with, as most all centerfire rifles have the punch to get the penetration into the brain; however, depending on your caliber choice and shot angle, there's always the possibility of deflection.

 

[sansone]

yes shot placement, tiny brain critter. any centerfire rifle should work

 

[bswiv]

Dead gators sink......

If you don't anchor him you are risking wasting a good bit of fine meat.

I would strongly suggest something you can shoot VERY well. Study their anatomy as you would any animal where a humain kill was the goal.

When we harvest them we set the bangstick off at the base of the neck.

My choice would be a shot to the neck right behind the head.

And no, a 8 foot gator is not all that big, maybe 200 pounds if he's very healthy.

 

[Dr.Rob]

.30-30 or better. Your '06 should be fine.

 

[unwise11]

45-70 should just knock it out, then you can use an icepick to stab through its armour... not.
just use a good bullet in your 30-06. A BTHP would work well for this. good penetration with the matchkings.

 

[dogrunner]

I would CLOSELY check out the situation there prior to engaging in such a hunt!

If you look at the FWC rules relative to 'gator hunting you'll see that the permissable weaponry does NOT include firearms (other than bang stick) and even other projectile weapons must have that projectile attached to the weapon via a line of some sort.

The usual methods are hooking, harpooning and then bang sticking the things.

Suggest you check out the FWC website before you wind up in a mess!

 

[hardluk1]

Interesting to find some where in florida that allows open rifle hunting on gators. But in my younger days just a 22 was used with a good scope out to around 30yards. But if this is a legal hunt then any centerfire will work. ANY. 22 hornet on. They are not hard to kill or stop so they can be finished off on land and in the water better shoot for there little brain. Can you also hunt pigs too? They love to hang in the groves. Remember ,lots of chemicals in those orange grove ponds and retainage creeks. I don't want to eat one of them gators