ALLIGATOR HUNTING-South Florida Wild Alligator Hunts
Welcome to EVERGLADES ADVENTURES alligator hunting page. We have been in operation since 1989 offering hunts for wild game in Florida. We currently offer Alligator, Wild Boar, Osceola Turkey, Duck and Dove hunts.
We are a full time guide service
dedicated to our clients. We were the third guide
service to begin operations in South Florida. The owner, Captain Mark Clemons has been professionally guiding
hunting charters (full time) since 1985. He is a native of South
Florida and has hunted and fished in South Florida for over 30 years. We
currently handle
over a thousand hunter's a year for all of our hunts combined.
Our operations are conducted
on several private ranches in Hendry County. The properties consist of cattle
ranches, citrus groves, sugar cane and
farming operations. We also have several wetlands leased to
us which
are used in our alligator and waterfowl operations.
We offer both "private lands" as well as "public waters" hunts on state and federal owned lands and waters.
PUBLIC WATERS HUNTS:
Public water's hunts are conducted
on public lakes, rivers and wetlands throughout the state designated by
the Florida's conservation commission designated as harvest units. The
State of Florida provides more than four-thousand Alligator harvest permits
available on a first-come, first-served basis for these hunts. They also fall under a more restrictive set of
regulations than "private lands" hunts.
We
conduct our hunts only on harvest units located in
Southern Florida, basically Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Everglades depending on areas drawn for permits. These
hunts are only
conducted during specific harvest periods from August 15th through November 1st of each
year. Permits
and tags are issued for a designated area during a specific harvest period. We handle all aspects of this hunt for the
client including all
of the paperwork, licensing, cites tags, etc. All that is necessary is that you show up and hunt.
These
hunts are conducted at night only. They are conducted by airboat only. Legal weapons for
"public waters hunts" are compound bow,
re-curve bow, crossbow or harpoon for the initial shot and a bang stick for the
harvest.
Depending on the weather, clients on a good evening should see a several hundred alligators and on a not so good night (weather related), somewhere around fifty or less.
These hunts are up close and personal. They provide a hands on thrilling adventure. This hunt involves an exciting airboat ride at night to locate the alligators.
Once located, the alligator must be tagged by harpoon with a line attached with
a float or
shot with a bow equipped with a fishing rig. Once the alligator
is tagged with the line, he must be harvested with a bang stick. We use a 357
magnum for the smaller gators and a 44 magnum for the larger ones. This is the
most exciting method for harvesting a trophy alligator.
Due to the costs involved in these hunts, we only attempt to harvest trophy alligators better than nine feet on our "public waters hunts" as we have a limited supply of tags in which to use for these hunts. If you are interested in a smaller alligator, the "private lands" hunts are a much better option.
Our
boat is a 2004 18' Hamant. It has seating for four adults including the driver.
It has a 550 horsepower, 454 cubic inch big block Chevrolet engine with a
stinger gearbox with a 82 inch three blade maximus thruster propeller. It has a
40 gallon fuel tank, stainless engine cage, polymer bottom, four trolling
batteries with dual lenco trolling motors with remote handheld controls, three
storage lockers, two independent live wells, brush guard, non-skid inside
finish, AM/FM CD stereo, Garman chart plotter/GPS, VHF radio, and all required
US Coast Guard equipment.
I am a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain and CPR and First Aid Certified (a requirement to conduct hunts on public waterways for hire) as well as Insured.
We were recently featured on Geraldo at Large on September 18th 2006 with Phil Keating on Lake Okeechobee. To view this video: Click on the following link. This will take you to the listing of clips in their archive. Scroll down to September the 18th "Gator Hunters" and click on high or low speed access. Link: Geraldo at Large
PRIVATE LANDS HUNTS:
Our
"private lands" alligators are located in canals, water retention areas, ponds, lakes, marshes,
cypress strands and
swamps on our private properties. We have on hand all
necessary equipment which could
be used to hunt them. We utilize airboats, go-devil
boats, swamp buggies, four-wheel drive trucks and Kawasaki mules.
Firearms
(such as handguns, rifles and shotguns),
power gigs and set hooks are not permitted on "public waters hunts". They are
however permitted on "private lands hunts". We are permitted to hunt during the
day and night time. Firearms however, are not permitted on night hunts.
We
offer "private lands hunts" year-round. The state
alligator management section has (as of March 2008) removed the slot size
restriction for six to nine foot alligators during mating season. We can now
hunt any size alligator year-round.
These hunts are basically spot and stalk. We pre-scout our trophy hunts prior to your arrival. Alligators smaller than eight feet don't require scouting as we have hundreds in our systems of canals. Once you arrive we attempt to get into range for a shot. Our shots range from thirty to around seventy yards. We do utilize shooting sticks for a rest. We suggest rifles in 30-06 or 270 caliber for our trophy hunts and smaller calibers for the smaller alligators. We will discuss this prior to your arrival.
RATES: PRIVATE LANDS
Standard
Alligator Hunt.
COST $1750.00
Includes
one day of alligator hunting for one person (Resident or Non-Resident), all necessary
licenses, transportation on the ranch, guide, one alligator (eight feet or less)
and meals. The client would receive the whole alligator
tagged for transportation. The cost of processing is not included on this hunt.
However, we can process the alligator for you. Please see processing below.
Standard
Tro
Includes
two full days of alligator hunting for one person (Resident
or Non-Resident), all necessary
licenses, transportation on the ranch, guide, one alligator (eight to ten feet),
one night lodging and meals.
The client would receive the processed alligator hide and alligator head (taxidermy ready, fresh frozen). The client would also receive any desired meat from their alligator.
Additional Trophy Fees.
Alligators greater than 10 feet to 11 feet in length additional $500.00 total cost $3250.00
Alligators greater than 11 feet to 12 feet in length additional $1000.00 total cost $3750.00
Alligators greater than 12 feet to 13 feet in length additional $1500.00 total cost $4250.00
Alligators greater than 13 feet in length additional $2500.00 total cost $5250.00
RATES: PUBLIC WATERS
NO ADDITIONAL TROPHY FEES ON PUBLIC WATERS HUNTS!
Standard
Alligator Hunt.
OUR
TAGS AND LICENSES
COST $1750.00
Standard
Alligator Hunt.
OUR
TAGS AND LICENSES
COST $3000.00
Includes
one night of alligator hunting for TWO persons (Resident or Non-Resident), all necessary
licenses, tags, transportation from the ranch to the area,
transportation by airboat, two guides, one night lodging and
meals and TWO alligators (Less than
NINE feet). The client would receive the whole alligators
tagged for transportation. The cost of processing is not included on this hunt.
However, we can process the alligator for you. Please see processing below.
Standard
Tro
Includes
two nights of alligator hunting for ONE person
(Resident or Non-Resident), all necessary
licenses, tags, transportation from the ranch to the area, transportation by
airboat, two guides, one alligator (NINE feet or
larger), one night lodging and meals.
The client would receive the processed alligator hide and alligator head (taxidermy ready, fresh frozen). The client would also receive any desired meat from their alligator.
Standard
Tro
Includes
two nights of alligator hunting for TWO persons
(Resident or Non-Resident), all necessary
licenses, tags, transportation from the ranch to the area, transportation by
airboat, two guides, two alligators (NINE feet or
larger), one night lodging and meals.
The client would receive the processed alligator hide and alligator head (taxidermy ready, fresh frozen). The client would also receive any desired meat from their alligator.
Standard
Alligator Hunt.
CLIENTS
TAGS
AND LICENSES
COST
$900.00
Includes
ONE night of alligator hunting for TWO persons, all necessary equipment, transportation
by airboat and two guides. The client would be responsible for licensing, tags,
transporting and processing of all alligators harvested. This is basically a
guide fee hunt with CLIENTS
TAGS
AND LICENSES.
One hunter must be a licensed trapper and
the other person must be his agent to participate in the hunt. On this hunt we
harvest the first two alligators over seven feet located. If we locate large
gators first, the client has a great hunt. This hunt can be customized for
different individuals. It would be necessary to contact us to discuss pricing
for different hunts. These hunts are conducted on a LIMITED BASIS. We don't
offer reservations in advance for these hunts. We only offer
them if scheduling permits.
PROCESSING Certain
of our hunting packages include processing and some don't. The reason for this
is some clients like to take their alligators complete (as harvested). For
the hunts that processing is not included, we
can process your alligator for you at an additional charge. The skinning of your alligator
will depend on the type of mount you desire.
Clients who plan on having their hide tanned for product such as boots, purse, belts, etc. and are having the head shoulder mounted or table mounted or having the head used in a glass table mounted environment (such as the one pictured below) will have their alligator skinned using one method. The cost for this method of skinning is based on $20.00 per foot.
Clients
who plan on having a full body mount or are having it utilized for any rug type
mount will be skinned using a different method. The cost for this method of
skinning is based on $25.00 per foot.
We have an ice plant and cold storage available to us for use in our hunts. Your alligator will need to be iced down and stored for 24 hours prior to processing. Clients wishing to retain the meat from their alligator will need to bring a cooler for transporting the meat.
All
meat processed from these hunts may not be sold to other individuals. The meat
can be given away to other individuals by the trapper or agent but cannot be
sold commercially.
This case is approximately five feet long, two feet wide and thirty inches in height. The case shown contains a shoulder mount of an alligator approximately eleven feet in length.
TAXIDERMIST We have several reputable taxidermist's which specialize in alligators and can handle all aspects of mounting, shipping and can be trusted to do what they state they will do. Additional charges for shipping hides, heads and showcases are based on the taxidermists costs.
Our
taxidermist's pick up the mounts and skins from our headquarters and
transfer them back to their studio's. They will contact you at that time concerning
your mount, cost of any taxidermy work being preformed, deposit on the work,
etc.
LODGING We have comfortable, modern air-conditioned lodging on site for our guests. and is included in certain hunt packages.
MEALS Hearty home
cooked meals are included in certain hunt packages.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE. We
require a 100% (one hundred-percent) deposit to confirm your reservation. 
Payments can be made by cash, personal or business check, traveler’s check,
cashiers check or money order. Checks should be made payable to EVERGLADES
ADVENTURES. The deposit is non-refundable, but are transferable within the
current season as scheduling permits. Thirty (30) day advance notice of
cancellation is required.
REFERENCES
We
will gladly provide references on request.
PRESERVE TYPE HUNT We do not hunt farm alligators. Our alligators are totally wild, not purchased and released prior to the hunt.
GUIDED VS NON-GUIDED
We
only offer fully guided hunts.
HUNTERS IN CAMP We like to be on a very personal level with our clients. For this reason our hunts are limited to no more than two (2) hunters at a time.
FIREARMS This will need to be discussed prior to your arrival. This varies depending on the type of hunt and size of alligator.
Firearms are only permitted on private lands hunts.
APPAREL For
this hunt we suggest full camouflage clothing in a dark green pattern. You should bring a couple of
different camouflage jackets if you are hunting in the fall as the temperature
varies from the low thirties to the upper seventies.
NON-HUNTING GUESTS We currently do not allow non-hunting guests along on the hunt, but there are great motels in Naples and Ft Lauderdale areas with excellent beaches, fine dining, and plenty of sights to be taken in by your guests.
SUCCESS RATES
We
achieve a 100% opportunity to harvest and 96%-98% harvest success on our alligator hunts.
The 2-4% difference in opportunity vs. success is due to hunter error. All of our hunts are pre-scouted prior to the hunt. We have several properties
in which to hunt. If you are trophy hunting on private lands, we will have several alligators
scouted prior to your hunt with us.
NEAREST AIRPORT
The
Southwest Florida International Airport located in Fort Myers or the Ft.
Lauderdale Airport are the closest and
the most convenient and are located approximately one and a half-hours
from where you will be hunting.
RENTAL CAR If you are flying into this area for the hunt we recommend that you acquire a rental car from the airport.
BEST TIME OF SEASON
This
totally depends on which hunt you desire but basically the cooler
months of October through April are the best for the "private lands
hunts" and the state has the dates pre-set for the "public
waters". Please feel free to contact us to discuss season dates.
ALLIGATOR
HUNTING IN FLORIDA
If you are considering coming to Florida
in pursuit of an Alligator, the following should be considered prior to
arranging a hunt with any outfitter or guide service.
OUT
OF STATE HUNTERS. If you are considering an alligator hunt in
Florida and are a (NON-RESIDENT) participating
in the system for public waters hunts, be
advised that the cost of the license (if you are selected) is over
$1000.00. You will only be permitted to
harvest two alligators. You will have to choose your harvest period in advance
of the hunt. If you expect to be successful, it will be necessary for you to acquire a guide to hunt
on the area which you were selected, unless you have the equipment required and have alligator hunting experience. You will have the
cost of the guide (usually per-night) to consider. You have to purchase a $50.00
agents licenses for each person participating in the harvest of alligators with
you. You will have lodging costs to consider as well. You can use our service,
hunt anytime of the year you want (almost) and harvest a eight foot or less
alligator, have lodging, meals, guides and licenses all included for a little
more than the
cost of your license on a public water hunt.
TYPES OF HUNTS. Please be sure to research the type of hunt you are purchasing and what you can expect. Certain types of hunts offered by Nuisance Trappers licensed by the state are just that. Nuisance Trappers are issued a tag by the state to harvest a select alligator that has become a Nuisance to the public and are required to harvest that alligator out of a select area. They generally are not permitted to kill the alligator but capture the alligator and remove it from the area. You can research Nuisance Trappers and the requirements by contacting the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission or research them online.
ALLIGATORS
If you are coming to Florida to hunt real wild alligators, be sure that the
hunting service you select offers them. Make sure they are wild alligators not ones
purchased at alligator farms and placed into an area just prior to the hunt.
(Yes, this does occur.) Research how to tell the difference between a farm gator
and a wild gator. Farm gators (called brood gators) are usually very heavy (fat)
in weight. Their heads are very flat and wide. The large gators usually have
moss growing on them from just laying around and they are not very weary of
humans. Remember that gators over 9 feet in length are always males.
Large males didn't get that way from being stupid. Chances are if the alligator
is nine or ten feet in length he has been hunted before by someone by legal or
illegal means and is very aware of his environment around him. They have
excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell.
NEW REGULATIONS The state of Florida has changed the regulations concerning alligators on PRIVATE lands as of March 2008 with regards to live transfer of alligators. The change ALLOWS persons to CAPTURE and transfer alligators within their permitted property as well as purchase alligators from others and place them into their area (with proper permits). This was not permitted previously but occurred quite often. This will change the hunting of alligators in Florida. This opens the door to the canned hunting of alligators legally much like all other wildlife harvested in enclosures in Florida and other states. If an operation GUARANTEES you a harvest, be careful in your selection of such guide services as the alligators you could be hunting could be placed there prior to your arrival (legally). Several operations in Florida (advertising as guide services) also own and operate alligator farms as well. AGAIN, PLACING ALLIGATORS IN SMALL WATER HOLES PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL FOR YOUR "GUARANTEED KILL" IS NOW A LEGAL PRACTICE.
TAXIDERMY. The operation you choose should have a taxidermist available that handles a lot of ALLIGATORS. If at all possible ask for his name prior to the hunt and call and talk to him personally. If he is a legitimate taxidermist he should be able to answer any of your questions. This service should be included in the hunt. If not it should at least be available to you. The type of mount should be determined prior to the hunt.
CURRENT CONDITIONS AND RECENT HUNTS.
We have a NEW links page set up for our clients to keep up with recent events, current conditions and basically what's been happening with the alligators. We try to update this page whenever we get a few spare minutes between hunts. Our site has now become very large and keeping it updated is quite a undertaking. The currents page for Alligators can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
We hope you will consider Everglades Adventures in your quest for an American Alligator.
Sincerely,
Captain Mark Clemons
All
clients are required to sign liability and disclaimer release forms
prior to the hunt.
Thank you for your interest in EVERGLADES ADVENTURES
Comments or Problems?
For
additional information concerning our hunts or Everglades Adventures,
Please
contact us at our office (863) 983-8999 or
E-mail
us at: huntsfla@aol.com
If you
have arrived here via a search engine and you are not viewing our main
page, it is at http://www.huntsflorida.com
Our snail mail address is: 28965 Obern Road, Clewiston, Florida 33440
This site is built and maintained by Captain Mark Clemons of EVERGLADES ADVENTURES.
This
page, and all contents, photos and text are Copyright © 1998-2007 by
Everglades Adventures, Clewiston, Florida USA
Last Modified: Monday, March 17, 2008