More pictures from the hunt.

Since we moved our line to the parking area we got to watch the gator take the bait. Westons gator swam in, but caught and ate a fish just a few feet from the line. He started for the line again, but then saw a fish splashing the opposite bank so he eased over and caught that one too, then just stayed there. We thought it was over until a smaller gator swam in and started for the line, but the bigger one would have non of that. He swam out and blocked the small gator. Though he nosed around Westons bait, the larger one did not take it and backed off again when the small gator backed off. The small gator made another run for the bait and again the larger one would have non of this. He did take the bait the second time to keep the small gator from getting it. Fun to watch. Here is a great shot of the TPWD guys watching the show.



This was also the spot where Wyatt got his big gator the day before.

Pictures of MD6458 and son Wyatt's gator.

Picture of Weston's initial setup.



Out of all my gator hunts, I have never been skunked. Weston who is in the autism spectrum with aspergers has really worked hard to overcome. Last year was the the first year he was able to effectively shoot a shotgun. So the pressure was on and this turned into a true hunt. We worked for it. Our line was found down the first evening, but no gator. Rebaited and set it again just before we left. In the morning it again was down with the line run along the bank. But no gator. We baited again and reset. We got up on the levee down the way and kept an eye on it. After watching a 4 foot gator for over an hour swim under the bait and not take it, we decided he might have been our problem and decided to move the line to another location where we had seen a 10 footer that morning. The 10 footer swam past the line two or three times over 2 hours with no interest. With on hour to go, we moved the line to the parking area where Weston finally got his gator. And a perfect shot too. I was so happy for him.

Awsome! congrats to him!

Very cool, grats to the kids.

Where we hunted was like visiting an old friend. On my early gator hunts our party got assigned to the lost lake area often. Now days it is mostly a bird sanctuary and seldom hunted except for youth hunts. To show what hurricane Rita did, here is a picture I took over 10 years ago of the bridge onto lost lake and a picture from last week. The surge from Rita destroyed it.

2001


2012


Though things look very different now, my last gator was taken in the exact same spot that Westons was. This picture was taken from on top of the bridge. My dad lured the gator within bow range by casting a hookless topwater lure from on top of the bridge to tease the gator into position in front of me.

Woderful pictures and story John and Weston. Looks like a very exciting time for all the youth. Great job and youth hunts.

Great pics and good job to all!

very cool hunt!

Awesome job!!!

You know if I killed that I wouldn't know where to start on cleaning it. Would make a awsome addition to my wall.