Us Yankees need a lesson on how to to kill a gator

Mikeyboy · August 2, 2006, 08:29 AM

Weird news story about a 5 foot gator found in a lake in Montana. I kind of felt bad for the critter, since the locals tried to kill it with was a deer hunting bow and a knife. It is unclear why Law enforcement or animal control were involved so late with this, but I'm assuming a firearm used sooner would have put the gator down a lot quicker.

My question is if somehow a large gator shows up in my backyard, where exactly do you shoot it?

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articl...ews/news01.txt

davlandrum · August 2, 2006, 09:52 AM

I actually saw a video of bowfishing gators. Looked like quite the adventure. Can't recall the name of the video as it was several years ago.

shureshot0471 · August 2, 2006, 10:14 AM

No crap right between the eyes that is the best place.

Clayfish · August 2, 2006, 12:34 PM

I laughed through the whole thing. Come down here and see just how big they get here. 5 feet is just a baby gator. The best I've seen is when my best friend dives in after a gator that was about the same sizeas that one and comes up holding it in it's middle. That was one mad gator! He was whipping my buddies back with his tail and trying to bite his head off with his mouth.

Mannlicher · August 2, 2006, 01:27 PM

most of the guys and gals down here that hunt gators kill them with a bangstick. I have often used a single shot 20 ga with foster slugs. Most anything will do, even a .22 LR if you hit the right spot.
I find that a shot behind the eye lobe, angling toward the snout, or has been mentioned, right between the eyes, work for me. Heart shot works too.
I have probably killed more with a noose and blade though, than with a gun. No noise that way...............

Scorch · August 2, 2006, 03:51 PM

How did a 5-foot 'gator get into a lake in Montana? And don't tell me it's global warming!

jhgreasemonkey · August 2, 2006, 06:18 PM

Thats a fine question. I would also like to know. Maby it was some ones pet and when it got too big they let it go in the lake. I have heard stories of this but never actualy seen it.

Anthony Terry · August 2, 2006, 09:03 PM

Them gators are'nt that hard to kill boys. Just grab em around the throat and choke em out. The sleeper hold will take em out quick, then when they get woozy, stick a blade in em. Then throw em over your shoulder and take em on home!

samsmix · August 3, 2006, 02:11 AM

Actually it was North Dakota, not Montana. I've got family in FL who is a rural LEO. He says betwix the lookers also.

maas · August 3, 2006, 05:01 AM

i don't care how easy people think they are to kill, if i saw one of those things in my back yard it would have four 338 bullets in it. but then again how would i make boots out of it if its full of hole.

john in jax · August 3, 2006, 09:10 AM

A 12ga or 20ga slug to the head gives you a pretty good margin of error. There was a story floating around a couple/few months ago where one of our FL LEO's whipped out a Mini-14 and put 4 rounds of .223 into a gator's head from +/-15feet . . . it made the gator REALLY mad.

Art Eatman · August 3, 2006, 10:22 AM

Between the eys, if the angle isn't flat. Even .30-30s have been known to ricochet if the angle was wrong. My understanding is that after a head shot, a gator will float for a while. A body shot is not likely to be DRT, and they'll be hard to find after they're dead.

From reading; no first-hand knowledge...

Art

dave0520 · August 3, 2006, 10:38 AM

Don't they sun themselves with their mouths open? Aim for the big ol' pearly whites.

Anthony Terry · August 3, 2006, 11:59 AM

I thought I'd make a joke above, no one got it

so seriously, you want to shoot either haed on between the eyes or a broadside shot right behind the eye. Whether you use a shotgun or rifle, thats where you want to hit him.

Just use something big enough to make a big hole. I seen a guy on TV kill one with a S&W 500.

dan20703 · August 8, 2006, 10:03 PM

On a broadside view you aim just behind the eye. Shot this 10'-1" one with a .22. Legally of course. Season is coming up soon (Sept)

gator email.JPG

Dirty_Harry · August 9, 2006, 11:38 AM

Here in Indiana yesteray, there was a 17.5 foot boa found dead. Obviously the owner got tired of feeding him and just turned him loose. They think he got hit by a car I think.

All I know is if I saw that thing in my back yard.....he would be rather peppered by 00 Buckshot. The thing was plenty big enough to eat my dogs....and nothing messes with my dogs. Wish I could find a pic.

FirstFreedom · August 9, 2006, 12:22 PM

I was gonna ask, Montanans are yankees? But you said N.D. I can believe Dakotans are yankees, since S.D. did elect Daschle for those many years.

Meatco1 · September 15, 2006, 07:19 PM

Hello:

I curious, is Gator tail any good to eat?

Thanks,

Richard

Trip20 · September 15, 2006, 07:35 PM

I've had fried gator and it was yummy. Not sure if it was the tail though. Actually, I've got no idea what parts they used.

CrustyFN · September 15, 2006, 08:15 PM

Between the eyes. My Dad told me that when he was young his Dad would hunt alegators for a living and he would go with him.

My Dad grew up in Florida, Lots of gators there.

katana8869 · September 16, 2006, 08:12 PM

My Grandfather swore by shining them with a light and then bringing the boat up close and shooting them in the head with a 12 gauge. I've seen them shot effectively with lever guns in both 30-30 and .357.

My ex father-in-law shot one in the head from shore with a S&W Sigma in 9mm which worked just as well. This was done after the gator moved into a pond behind his neighbors house and ate the family's dashund. Placement counts more then caliber. This is as true for gators as it is for goblins

Art Eatman · September 16, 2006, 08:51 PM

Gator tail: I've had it cut into small chunks, rolled in batter, and fried like chicken. A bit chewy, but good tasting.

Among other places, Al T's restaurant just off I-10 at Winnie, Texas, serves it.

Art

22-rimfire · September 16, 2006, 08:56 PM

Any of you guys see that episode of Dangerous Game on OLN where the hunter shoots a Crock? Tough reptile!!! The guy was using something like a 375 too. Took him three shots and they had to "track" it down stream to finish it off.

**JohnKSa** · September 16, 2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Us Yankees need a lesson on how to to kill a gator...

Good news! It will be easier for you since you have lots of bait handy.

Ask a Yankee if he wants to go swimming with you. (Keep trying 'til one says yes.)
You and a bunch of friends take him to the place you last saw the 'gator.
Ask him to get in first and test the water.
When the 'gator appears, you and your friends open up on the 'gator.
You will need to take along more bait if you have more than one 'gator--it's unusual for the bait to be good for a second try.

katana8869 · September 17, 2006, 08:45 AM

That sounds about right. However after the outing, you might suggest an evening of snipe hunting and cow tippin' to make the "bait" feel better

August 2, 2006, 08:29 AM	#1
Mikeyboy Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Posts: 1,231	Us Yankees need a lesson on how to to kill a gator Weird news story about a 5 foot gator found in a lake in Montana. I kind of felt bad for the critter, since the locals tried to kill it with was a deer hunting bow and a knife. It is unclear why Law enforcement or animal control were involved so late with this, but I'm assuming a firearm used sooner would have put the gator down a lot quicker. My question is if somehow a large gator shows up in my backyard, where exactly do you shoot it? http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articl...ews/news01.txt Last edited by Mikeyboy; August 2, 2006 at 03:33 PM.

August 2, 2006, 10:14 AM	#3
shureshot0471 Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Location: In the sticks of East Texas Posts: 185	No crap right between the eyes that is the best place. __________________ "Prefection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." -Vince Lombardi "Gun control is putting that second bullet through the same hole the first one made." - Ted Nugent

August 2, 2006, 01:27 PM	#5
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	most of the guys and gals down here that hunt gators kill them with a bangstick. I have often used a single shot 20 ga with foster slugs. Most anything will do, even a .22 LR if you hit the right spot. I find that a shot behind the eye lobe, angling toward the snout, or has been mentioned, right between the eyes, work for me. Heart shot works too. I have probably killed more with a noose and blade though, than with a gun. No noise that way............... __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

August 2, 2006, 03:51 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	How did a 5-foot 'gator get into a lake in Montana? And don't tell me it's global warming! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 2, 2006, 09:03 PM	#8
Anthony Terry Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2006 Location: Virginia. Posts: 673	Them gators are'nt that hard to kill boys. Just grab em around the throat and choke em out. The sleeper hold will take em out quick, then when they get woozy, stick a blade in em. Then throw em over your shoulder and take em on home! __________________ Anthony...

August 2, 2006, 09:52 AM	#2
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	I actually saw a video of bowfishing gators. Looked like quite the adventure. Can't recall the name of the video as it was several years ago.

August 2, 2006, 12:34 PM	#4
Clayfish Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 953	I laughed through the whole thing. Come down here and see just how big they get here. 5 feet is just a baby gator. The best I've seen is when my best friend dives in after a gator that was about the same sizeas that one and comes up holding it in it's middle. That was one mad gator! He was whipping my buddies back with his tail and trying to bite his head off with his mouth.

August 2, 2006, 06:18 PM	#7
jhgreasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,238	Thats a fine question. I would also like to know. Maby it was some ones pet and when it got too big they let it go in the lake. I have heard stories of this but never actualy seen it.

August 3, 2006, 02:11 AM	#9
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	Not in these here parts, pilgrim... Actually it was North Dakota, not Montana. I've got family in FL who is a rural LEO. He says betwix the lookers also. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

August 3, 2006, 05:01 AM	#10
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	i don't care how easy people think they are to kill, if i saw one of those things in my back yard it would have four 338 bullets in it. but then again how would i make boots out of it if its full of hole. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

August 3, 2006, 09:10 AM	#11
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,177	Bigger is better A 12ga or 20ga slug to the head gives you a pretty good margin of error. There was a story floating around a couple/few months ago where one of our FL LEO's whipped out a Mini-14 and put 4 rounds of .223 into a gator's head from +/-15feet . . . it made the gator REALLY mad. __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe

August 3, 2006, 10:22 AM	#12
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Between the eys, if the angle isn't flat. Even .30-30s have been known to ricochet if the angle was wrong. My understanding is that after a head shot, a gator will float for a while. A body shot is not likely to be DRT, and they'll be hard to find after they're dead. From reading; no first-hand knowledge... Art

August 3, 2006, 10:38 AM	#13
dave0520 Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Philadelphia suburbs Posts: 394	Don't they sun themselves with their mouths open? Aim for the big ol' pearly whites. __________________ si vis pacem, parabellum

August 3, 2006, 11:59 AM	#14
Anthony Terry Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2006 Location: Virginia. Posts: 673	I thought I'd make a joke above, no one got it so seriously, you want to shoot either haed on between the eyes or a broadside shot right behind the eye. Whether you use a shotgun or rifle, thats where you want to hit him. Just use something big enough to make a big hole. I seen a guy on TV kill one with a S&W 500. __________________ Anthony...

August 8, 2006, 10:03 PM	#15
dan20703 Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 36	On a broadside view you aim just behind the eye. Shot this 10'-1" one with a .22. Legally of course. Season is coming up soon (Sept) gator email.JPG __________________ "It's all about shot placement" - David (Slayer of Goliath) "The gun is not the answer to all of your personal protection problems, but when you need a gun, you really need a gun."

August 9, 2006, 11:38 AM	#16
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	17.5 foot Boa in Cicero, Indiana Here in Indiana yesteray, there was a 17.5 foot boa found dead. Obviously the owner got tired of feeding him and just turned him loose. They think he got hit by a car I think. All I know is if I saw that thing in my back yard.....he would be rather peppered by 00 Buckshot. The thing was plenty big enough to eat my dogs....and nothing messes with my dogs. Wish I could find a pic. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

August 9, 2006, 12:22 PM	#17
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	I was gonna ask, Montanans are yankees? But you said N.D. I can believe Dakotans are yankees, since S.D. did elect Daschle for those many years.

September 15, 2006, 07:19 PM	#18
Meatco1 Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Location: Southern Colorado Posts: 28	Hello: I curious, is Gator tail any good to eat? Thanks, Richard

September 15, 2006, 07:35 PM	#19
Trip20 Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2005 Posts: 2,181	I've had fried gator and it was yummy. Not sure if it was the tail though. Actually, I've got no idea what parts they used.

September 15, 2006, 08:15 PM	#20
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Between the eyes. My Dad told me that when he was young his Dad would hunt alegators for a living and he would go with him. My Dad grew up in Florida, Lots of gators there. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

September 16, 2006, 08:12 PM	#21
katana8869 Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Posts: 355	My Grandfather swore by shining them with a light and then bringing the boat up close and shooting them in the head with a 12 gauge. I've seen them shot effectively with lever guns in both 30-30 and .357. My ex father-in-law shot one in the head from shore with a S&W Sigma in 9mm which worked just as well. This was done after the gator moved into a pond behind his neighbors house and ate the family's dashund. Placement counts more then caliber. This is as true for gators as it is for goblins

September 16, 2006, 08:51 PM	#22
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Gator tail: I've had it cut into small chunks, rolled in batter, and fried like chicken. A bit chewy, but good tasting. Among other places, Al T's restaurant just off I-10 at Winnie, Texas, serves it. Art

September 16, 2006, 08:56 PM	#23
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Any of you guys see that episode of Dangerous Game on OLN where the hunter shoots a Crock? Tough reptile!!! The guy was using something like a 375 too. Took him three shots and they had to "track" it down stream to finish it off.

September 17, 2006, 08:45 AM	#25
katana8869 Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Posts: 355	That sounds about right. However after the outing, you might suggest an evening of snipe hunting and cow tippin' to make the "bait" feel better