Alligator hunting

Alligator hunting is the capture and killing of gators. With the appropriate licenses and tags, the American alligator can legally be hunted in the Southeastern United States. The states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas all distribute alligator hunting licenses.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Methods

There is no single method of alligator hunting. Depending on the circumstances, hunters commonly use a combination of the following:^[6]

• hook and line
• bow and arrow
• gig and snare
• firearm

The use of a hook and line is the most common method. It involves securing a sturdy hook and line to a tree or pole in the ground. The hook is commonly baited with fish or chicken quarter. After the bait is taken, the hunter returns to draw in and dispatch the gator.^[7] Allowed methods of hunting vary by state, in South Carolina an alligator must be captured before being killed with either a handgun or bangstick.^[8] A bangstick is a specialized underwater firearm fired only when in direct contact with the target.

History

Historically, unregulated hunting has led to dramatic decreases in alligator populations. In 1973 the American alligator was listed as endangered under the