Want to go on a hunt that you’ll never forget? If so, you should consider gator hunting in Florida.
Many outfitters offer this type of memorable hunt year round, even though the permits are available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from August 15th to November 1st. They only offer 7,000 of these permits which are highly coveted each year.
The FWC estimates they receive 15,000 applications each year. If you go with an outfitter though, they will usually handle all the requirements required to obtain the right permits. Plus, most of their hunts take place on private land, so that’s how they are able to offer these hunts year round.
Here are some of the best places and outfitters to go with if you want to experience the thrill of hunting these wild beasts in the “Sunshine State.”
Razzor Ranch
At Razzor Ranch, alligator hunts are just one of their specialties. They offer all kinds of hunts including wild hogs and exotic deer. The gators are the most popular choice though. They allow you to hunt on their private resort land with the weapon of your choice. You can go with an alligator harpoon on an airboat, pistol, rifle, or even a crossbow.
The rates vary per person and are based on the size of the gator you want to bag. They estimate that when you are hunting for the day, you’ll see anywhere from five to 25 alligators around the property. There is an additional cost for taxidermy if you want to take your trophy or part of it home. The ranch is located in Zolfo Springs, which is about an hour south of Tampa.
Central Florida Trophy Hunts
On the east coast of Florida is Central Florida Trophy Hunts. They are located in Cocoa, Florida and have over 20 years of experience in offering these types of exotic hunts. Their gator hunts are also available year round leaning towards the “fair chase” style of hunting. The packages vary in price, but are also based on the size of the gator you are after and what type of accommodations you want to stay in while you are there.
The best package to go with includes everything, including transportation from Orlando International Airport, lodging for two nights, meals, and a fully guided hunt.
Everglade Adventures
Finally, one of the best places to gator hunt is obviously in south Florida by the famous Everglades National Park. This is the famous home of Alligator Alley, an 80-mile stretch of land that runs from Miami to the Everglades.
Everglade Adventures is the outfitter to take advantage of here. They offer use of their 75,000 acre private property to hunt on guided tours. The accommodations include on-site lodging in modern two-bedroom cabins. It’s the perfect hunt to take the entire family on. It will probably be more memorable and less expensive to gator hunt than a trip to Disney World.
