2006 Bowhunt For Florida Alligator
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Day 3 - Pictures ...

Near the end of our first pass around the lake David Mills said, "I think we need one more trip around the lake." So we did. 

Here's Daman Sharp, alligator hunter, harpoon designer and video man for this hunt.

On both trips we shinned and approached several alligators. Most of the time we did fast runs and didn't stop. However, we did stop twice on big alligators. One of them was in the picture, but it ducked underwater an instant before the picture was taken. Notice the full moon coming up in the background.

We docked the Cadillac Style at 5:17am. .As we looked around for a place to hang my 7' 7" gator Kevin said, "Check this out." He had the alligator's mouth open and he showed us a picture in his camera display that looked right smart.

I got down behind the alligator and Kevin took a couple of pics. (See below.)

Then we wenched the airboat onto the boat trailer and in short order 4 very happy, as well as tired, alligator hunters drove off to get some much needed sleep. There are a few more things to talk about in the upcoming last segment of this hunt.

And ... here is Kevin's pic of the alligator. Indeed, life is good.

EQUIPMENT:
INNERLOC Gator Grapple 3 - I shot this alligator like I do a deer, behind the shoulder. Penetration was good, about 15 inches of the shaft exited on the opposite side. The gator went 35 yards and expired. We didn't have to fight this one. I said it before but I have to repeat it, cutting power and extreme strength are what the Gator Grapple is all about.
AMS 640 pound test Bowfishing Line - This is the 3rd mature alligator we got with the 640# test AMS Bowfishing line. It is super strong and tough.  This line is the ticket for alligator bowhunting.
AMS Slotted Retriever by AMS Bowfishing - Sometimes you see a product that is so absolutely perfect for its purpose that it makes anything else a distant runner up. The line reels into the retriever easily and quickly. It does not get tangled or backlash. It has zero-drag and shot arrows are not affected by the line, the line flows freely with no drag.
AMS Trophy Float System - Again I used the largest floats from AMS Bowfishing. It is 5.5" around 13" long, is inflatable, and bright yellow. Easy to see. Rugged and buoyant -- and it needs to be for alligator hunting. And adapter goes in your bow's stabilizer hole and the float slides on it, or it can be set on floor of the boat. I used it on the bow. 
BowTech Liberty - The fish arrows we used are three times heavier as my regular arrows and I was pleased to see I got good arrow flight and deep penetration. At 62 pounds the  bow shot flat and delivered the raw power it took to get the job done. 
Glass Max Arrows by INNERLOC - These arrows were 5/16 diameter and were much heavier than normal arrows, but that's what it takes to get down into the water and deliver penetration of big fish or this mature gator. 
CUBE Archery Target - I had to re-sight my bow for the heavier bowfishing arrows and used the smallest Cube broadhead target from American Whitetail Targets. I've used this or larger versions for several years and really like them. They stop arrows and last a long, long time.
WOLVERINE Vail Boots - In an airboat, when you've got an alligator ripping up everything around you and trying to get a hold on anybody it can when it gets up to the boat, you do not want to slip. Maintaining good traction in the cramped quarters of the airboat is a must. And being waterproof and breathable is also a plus. The gore tex Vail boots I wore were all of these.

NEXT: The wrap up  ...

We are bowhunting alligators with David Mills of Zolfo Springs, Florida in south Central Florida's big alligator country and the Osceola wild turkey. To contact David Mills about Alligator hunts, phone 1-863-990-9087.

 
 

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