While technically open year-round on private property, prime trophy alligator hunts occur in the warmer, summer months (approx. April - Aug) before the rainy season, and while they are not hibernating. The Alligator rut or “crawl” occurs mid-May through June.

-Additional Alligators: Can be taken on a flat-rate trophy fee, by size category.  

-Feral Hogs: First hog already included. Additional hogs taken for a flat-rate fee, year-round.

-Osceola Wild Turkey: Can be added to a Gator hunt mid-March-late-April.  

-Seminole Whitetail: Can be added to a gator hunt Sept.-January.

-Bobcat: Can be taken as a target of opportunity for a flat-rate trophy fee from Dec. to April. 

-Fishing: Snook, Redfish, Snappers, Goliath Grouper, Jacks and Sharks from a 40+ foot vessel. Best during the summer months, and full day charters accommodate up to 3-4 guests.

Explore the various marshlands, estuaries, small lakes and cattle ponds, all interconnected by a labyrinth of canals, dykes and waterways. Glass regularly for distant gators in the water or sunning themselves on shore. Primary tactics are daytime spot & stalk hunting coupled with precision shooting, mostly accessed by land to help avoid detection. But any legal or ethical gator hunting technique can be employed. Many of the big gators taken have been pursued for several years, waiting for the right encounter. Hop from one hotspot to another, seeking a target gator in a shootable location. 

Most gators require a head shot, and accuracy is crucial. The vital zone is small, but shooting ranges are generally under 100 yards. Hunters move slowly and lightly while stalking, as old alligators are highly sensitive to ground vibrations, holding their breath for up to 20 minutes if disturbed. After the trigger pull comes the action! Use hook and line to recover the gators, and nerves keep them moving for some time. With the gator in the truck, head directly to the processor, and then hog hunting! 

Alligator packages come with a bonus Feral Hog hunt, done by any method. Swamp buggy, over bait, thermal night hunting, or with dogs and spears. Bobcats are also generally hunted with thermals, while wild turkeys are taken using traditional roost and calling hunt tactic. 

While many US client brings personal firearm from home, any clients (such as international hunters) wishing to borrow the outfitters personal firearms is welcome to. Preferred rifles for alligators would be highly accurate, scoped bolt-actions, recommended around .308 or larger.  The vital zone/brain shot on even a big Alligator is quite small, but typical shooting ranges are usually 100 yards or less. 

Archery hunting is legal in Florida and welcomed if desired, for those wishing to increase the challenge level of the hunt. Most archery clients bring their personal bows, but crossbows can also be provided in camp.

The hunting areas in Florida are generally flat, low lying and coastal. Estuaries, wetlands, lakes and ponds are all interconnected by slow moving riverways and canals. Perfect alligator habitat. Some private hunting areas include active cattle ranches, skunk cabbage pastures, fruit orchard plantations or agricultural fields. The soils are often sandy in the dryer areas and loamier in wetter areas, with thick mangrove thickets along coastal waterways. A host of species call this area home, at least seasonally. A rich diversity of sea life and birds migrate through and over-winter here, with countless other resident mammal, amphibian and reptile species, ranking Florida as a bio-diversity hotspot.

Generally warm to hot, and humid to very humid. This is a fair-weather hunt, but a cool pleasant breeze is often influenced along the coast. Most hunters wear shorts and t-shirts, or thin-pants in all but the winter months. Mid-summer can get quite hot and humid. storms or high winds can arrive without warning, but tend to blow through quickly. Rain & hurricane seasons starts in early fall. Overall, weather and conditions during the primary hunting seasons is generally sunny and pleasant.

The lodge is situated on a private 8000-acre ranch, complete with an archery and rifle range, outdoors lounges, Wi-Fi, cell phone service, big flatscreen TV and a big fire pit. The lodge can accommodate up to 6 clients at a time. Hunters stay in double wide trailers that feature 2 bathrooms and 3 bed rooms, ranging from queen sized beds, to rooms with bunks for buddies. Enjoy home cooked meals with indoor and outdoor eating areas for a great overall camp experience. Should clients wish to secure their own accommodations, there are several seaside hotels or Airbnb’s options available in the local area.

Breakfasts are quick, easy, and continental style. Pastries, cereal, oatmeal, toast, coffee, tea and juice gets hunters out the door quickly. Lunches are at times in the field or back at camp and often subs, sandwiches, fruit, candy, granola bars or leftovers, and with bottled water or energy drinks in an iced cooler always available. Dinners are big and hearty. Hunters enjoy items such as ribeye steaks, grilled chicken, pork chops, lasagna, or at time deep fried “gator nuggets”, served with sides such as potatoes, rice, pasta, veggies and salad. Be sure to save room for dessert.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive at the lodge in Palm Bay, Florida, which is located roughly 1.5 hours SE of Orlando. Round-trip airport shuttles are not included. Clients fly to Orlando and rent a vehicle, or arrive in a personal vehicle. The smaller Melbourne airport is also only minutes from the lodge.

Travel Suggestions:  Orlando is easily reached through various airlines offering non-stop service. A rental or personal vehicle while visiting Florida is highly encouraged to facilitate pre-post hunt logistics and enjoy the many side venture, attraction or vacation options.

Animals are personally delivered by the outfitter to a processing facility who can prepare both the meat and trophies. Gators ($30/foot), and hogs ($75 each) will be cleaned, butchered, packaged and frozen.   Trophies are then delivered to a local taxidermist, or can be transported home within the US, frozen and in coolers. Alligators are a CITES species, and if not accompanying your trophy home within the US, the local taxidermist can then either do the complete taxidermy work or prepare the trophies for domestic shipping, or assist with permitting and international shipping with a clearance agent.