Alligator hunts

 Sit back, close your eyes and drift away to thoughts of a mild fall night, slipping down the river in a flat bottom boat, the quiet purr of a four stroke outboard, the shinning of the light from bank to bank, the excitement your trying to hold back as you look for that tale tale sign of pink glowing eyes. Ahhh, there they are! Now its time to dim the lights a little, ease the wireless trolling motor into the water as the stalk begins. Now your just feet away as you raise the crossbow, steady your shaking arms, take a deep breath line up the red dot and squeeze the trigger ever so slowly. Smack! The sound of the bolt hitting its mark and the giant splash of the monsters tail as he makes his first dive heading for deep water. Line is peeling out of the boat, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 yards and the buoy is snatched into the water and looks like the scene from Jaws. Now its the hard part! time to grab the line and see who has what it takes tonight, him or you? The fight lasts an hour or maybe more! Someone has got to eventually tire, who will it be? You hopefully! This is what its like when you are lucky enough to draw a SCDNR Alligator tag! 

How to obtain a tag

 SCDNR offers a lottery Alligator hunt starting in May each year. Applicants apply to be entered into the drawing with a $10 fee. Mid July a random drawing occurs and allotted few are issued the required tag after paying the $100 tag fee.  Fees are different for non residents. Please see SCDNRs website for information regarding this program. 

 Equipment

All needed equipment will be provided as this too is an all inclusive guided trip.

Crossbow, Bolts, Broad heads, line

Rods and reels equipped with snatch hooks.

Pier gaff hooks and line

Dispatching firearm.

Processing 

 There are a few professional processors in our area that offer alligator services. Tails up crews may offer assistance in helping you if you choose to process your own at their own discretion. Tails up does not provide any services for discarding the carcass.