We are in the cattle business, and our ranch hand, "Chuy," is often out at our property, out at the lake, and is always checking on things. Chuy is a very nice fellow, but he surprised me when he called me up with a very, very concerned voice this Sunday afternoon. He asked me if my family and I, with our little 4 year old daughter, were out swimming at the lake over the weekend. I told him "no, that we had a paint project to finish up," although the thought of escaping this heat seemed like a grand idea at the time. Anyhow, Chuy explained to me that he had seen an alligator, which he estimated to be 8' long. My first impression after getting off the phone with Chuy was that my family and I were very luck to have avoided any trouble with this gator over the weekend.

I went out to the property this morning, and sure enough, there was a huge gator swimming out in some deep water along the dam. I didn't hesitate to pull out my 243 and pull the trigger. The gator did the thrashing and flopping thing, for a second or two, and then he disappeared down in some some fairly deep water. I am convinced I hit him in the head.

My question is this, how long before the gator will float up? Secondly, while this gator clearly had to go for safety reasons (children, dogs, etc.) what about a 3' or 4' gator? Are alligators horrible for a lake, or do they serve a purpose? I would guess that a big gator would get his/her share of bass. I would hate to think that several trophy largmouth are going into the belly of one of these creatures.

I have looked around for any archived discussion on the topic, and there isn't much. Does anyone have any further insight?

By the way, there is also a little bitty gator in there, less than 4' long. I wouldn't think a 3' gator would cause any problems for a lake.

I would get him out also. He will grow fast and become a walking menace not the least bit scared of people or dogs as he grows up seeing them.

They eat big fish. If it hangs out it is a compliment to your fish raising skills. Of course it is eating all of your fish raising skills. They do clean dead fish up for you but so do minnows and turtles without taking any live ones. They are very easy to clean and are excellent table fair when prepared along the lines of frog legs. Much, Much better than turtle. Tons of clean white meat in legs and tail.
Toby

A 3 foot gator isn't really a menace, but they do grow. Before you take further action, check with the local game warden just so you don't get prosecuted for poaching. If you don't want to involve the government, plunk it and don't tell anybody about it. I know that gator season is in the fall, so if he can wait until then, you can most likely do it legally. It is up to you, but I would take it out of there if it was me.

As far as the big one goes, keep an eye out. The skull on an 8ft gator can be over an inch thick in places and you might have just given him a headache. The fact their brain is about the size of a plum makes a more difficult target to hit. If you see him again and you don't want the hide, pump a couple more into the body while he is rolling to make sure he stays down.

A guy whose use to frequent these forums had a gator situation in his pond. Here is the link. Interesting reading.



The Removal of "Sneaky Pete"