Not real familiar with alligators but am going to be hunting on a buddies land where whey have a few.

Anybody ever see gators this time of the year? Would you hesitate to hunt a dog in a place where there are gators when the temps are ranging between 40 and 60?

According to swamp people, they'll be sleeping

No.. they are regulated by body heat... when the water gets under 50degrees your rarely see them... If the sun comes out and there is no wind and its for some reason around 60-65.. they will come sun bathe but still are not a worry.. they arnt going to waste energy this time of the year.. prolly just come say hello and follow you around like a puppy

We watched one slam a nutrirat during teal season this year... is was awesome

Just make sure the gators got the memo that they're 'supposed' to be dormant, cause if he ain't, he'll probably be hungry

Wouldn't chance hunting my dog in known gator water. Not worth it to me.

Gators should be dormant right now. They should be burrowed up in holes in the bank.

This time of year gators are extremely lethargic. They do not want to be wasting energy. However, if provoked they will still defend themselves. If I am hunting a known gator hole, I still have a slug within quick reach...just in case. One of my best producing holes this year had a 10' in it all summer, hasn't been an issue at all this season.

Do me a favor and keep me out of jail by keeping them rotton sun bucks on your side of the highway. Alligaotr in duck pond=dead alligator!

This is Texas. Texas is known gator waters.

Just a second!!! I hunted Choke Canyon a few years ago around this time of year. The weather had been pretty cold for a few weeks and on this day, the wind was blowing real hard and the temp was around 35. About 9 am my hunting buddy spotted Mr. gator floating near the furthest decoy in our spread. Soon there after buddy knocked down a bird and started to go after it. I noticed Mr. gator begin heading for him and the bird and I yelled for him to get out of the water. Mr. gator got the bird and just floated around the decoy spread for the remainder of the hunt. Try gathering up your decoys with that going on around you!!!!!! I went in to get the decoys and buddy watched for him. When he went under, I got out. The water was very cold and the wind caused white-capped waves. Just saying --- be very careful no matter what time of the year it is whenever gators are nearby.

I urge you to use extreme caution. I live and hunt in sunny south Florida. We deal with gators every single time we hunt. It doesn't matter if it is 35* or 75*. I know it's different because we don't have the sustained cold you all have. Last year we got a hard freeze on Lake O. Got back to the ramp and talked to some boys who lost their dog that morning to a gator. Gator broke through ice on the bank to get to the dog. While most will be lethargic, it only takes one. I will not hunt my dog down here. The risk is too high. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

The point of it is what he just pointed out.. No long periods of cold weather. It's cold outside but water is still warm or they were able to charge their system by the sun. Reptiles have to follow what the weather says their body physically won't let them move if they havnt had time to warm up their cells. South Florida is also highly infested with gators so hunger can make animals take risk others in low stress areas wouldn't. You won't have to worry about much in Tx right now, your dog on the right days will but you not so much.. Always check your six and don't let the thought of it ruin your hunt..

Not worth it. It just takes one hungry gator and you lose your dog. Especially if it's 60 degrees. I wouldn't chance it. I'd just take my chances retrieving my own birds if I was you.

Just to give you an idea I'd say close to half of Tx and 80% of waterways are home to alligators so most are taking this "risk" without knowing

An ice busting gator

Yes they can be out this time of year. Father lost his dog to a gator. Happened before he could react.

Did he slide across the ice to get the dog?

Wal i can sense your sarcasm and i am perfectly ok with it. If i hadnt walked through a thin layer of ice that day i wouldnt have believed the guys either. The key as i mentioned earlier is sustained cold. We dont have sustained cold in south florida. When i say "bust" i mean 2 inches of ice just at the waterline that was the dpeth of a dime, but still. Believe what you choose, i wont beg you to use caution.

Been on the same coast for many many seasons. I have never even suspected a gator with icing temps. No sarcasm meant, no disrespect meant, I just dont buy it. I would just have to be there to believe it.

no wasn't iced over. Don't care if ya believe me or not just letting you know they can be out and will grab a dog.

I hunted a piece of water last year that was known to hold gators, it was cold so I figured it was alright and went about my business. Halfway through the hunt my dog went after a cripple that fell a good ways out. He goes into this clump of cattails in the middle of this water about 75 yards from the blind. It sounded like all hell had broken loose when that dog got into those cattails.

not a good feeling