I was drawn to hunt alligator this year at J.D. Murphree WMA. This is my first time getting drawn so I am hoping some of you who have experience could share some of your knowledge with me.

Thanks

Adam

Good luck....hope you get a monster lizard....

Got drawn there about 3 years ago. Here's how it goes. You check in about mid morning the first day. You will attend an orientation and they will loan you one big cane pole and one rebar anchor. You will get an assigned area and they will tell you how to get there.
Find an area in your area that has either visible gators or gator sign. You take your cane pole and stick it in the mud at an angle over the water and drive your anchor into the mud close to the pole. Tie the end of your line to the anchor and the other end you will suspend the attached hook loosely with a rubber band or clothespin a couple of feet over the water. Bait with a ripe, half rotten chicken quarter. Leave and go directly to a bar and drink several cold beers.
The next morning, you see what you caught. One guy pulls the rope in while the other guy shoots it in the head. The TPWD guys want you to use a shotgun. I used an old H&R Topper single shot 20 gauge loaded with low brass dove shot. At a distance of just a few inches, it's plenty. A .410 would work just as well. Tape the gator's mouth with electrical tape, haul him in the boat, and don't forget to tag him with the tag they provide for you. That's about it.

In the mean time watch lots of SWAMP PEOPLE chutem

I'm considering putting in for one these next year once I get my boat back together. Please report back on this goes.

lol, that's a good analogy.

Thanks for the info. I plan to bowfish my gator but if that doesn't work out I will hang a line.

We went 2 years ago. This is exactly correct!

I do not believe it is even in the realm of possibilities for these hunts.

My brother in law bowfished his 8'11" gator 2 years ago so I have to at least try.

was it on one of the TPWD draw hunts? I didn't think that was an option for them.

This

You have to pay someone for a tag hunt further east. These draw hunts are a one way street. You can plan all you want but you're just kidding yourself.

A gator with a bow is on my list.

It can be done, I shot this 9 footer at Mad island a few years ago on a draw hunt. It was tough to get within effective range but I managed on day three. I would run a line over night and pull it in the morning and go spot and stalk. It was a blast and yes its allowed. You can only use one method at a time. That's the only catch. Good luck and have fun!

Yes sir that is exactly my plan. Bowfish most of the first day and set a line on my way out of my compartment for the day.

Take plenty of bug spray and a good book! I would just hide until I would see one come out then get after it. Managed around 8 or 9 successful stalks but they were smaller gators. Then this one popped out last day and got within 12 yards for the shot. Those gator bolts fly like garbage but hit hard. Good luck.

Legal methods of taking gators at JD Murphree WMA. This is from my hunt packet they sent me.

Any legal method for taking alligators is permitted during this hunt. Shotguns should be used to dispatch alligators secured on line or snare. It is unlawful to shoot free swimming alligators during the September Alligator Season. Only one method of take may be used at a time by each permitted hunter. 1. The following are legal means and methods for taking an alligator: a. Hook and Line (limit of 1 set per hunter) - non-stainless steel hook of at least 9-0 size, 3 to 6 feet of leader material and 100 feet of rope (at least 300# test) per set, approximately one pound of bait per set (beef spleen or 1/4 chicken), and a tool for driving stakes. Area staff will supply one cane pole and stake per hunter (return required). b. Archery - longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow with reel device and arrows with line of at least 300# test securely attached to the barbed fish point. Crossbows are prohibited. c. Hand-held Snare - Size No. 4 or larger with integral locking mechanism attached to 100 feet of at least 300# test line and a long pole. d. Gig - may be used only when a line of at least 300# test is securely attached to the hook or head of the device in such a manner to prevent separation from the hook or head until the carcass is retrieved

Awesome. Makes me want to enter that draw even more now.
Heck if they let us use crossbows I'll enter my daughter!

Sounds Awesome. Good luck Adam. Can't wait to see the pics and here the story on here.

Unfortunately crossbows are prohibited at JD Murphree for some reason but there maybe exceptions to that for kids or those who are disabled.

b. Archery - longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow with reel device and arrows with line of at least 300# test securely attached to the barbed fish point. Crossbows are prohibited.

Good luck with the bow. I wonder why they did that? At Mad Island they could have cared less. It just said any legal archery equipment. I double checked with the guys there before going even. I can see a bow being harder because of the added movement. I swear those things can see you blink let alone draw a bow.

Here's something to get you excited. This bad boy was taken on the same hunt I was on. Mine was much smaller. This guy was a hair over 13'.

Sounds fun! Id just do the line.... done both but didnt get to much excitement out of the bow shoot.. line is quicker on the animal and same pay off for the hunter