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. The areas we specialize in are #406 (STA-5), #601 (Lake Okeechobee WEST), #604 (Lake Okeechobee SOUTH). 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 greater than ten 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

RATES: PUBLIC WATERS

NO ADDITIONAL TROPHY FEES ON PUBLIC WATERS HUNTS!

Standard Alligator Hunt. OUR TAGS AND LICENSES COST $1750.00

Includes one night 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 night lodging and meals and ONE alligator (Less than NINE feet). 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 Alligator Hunt. OUR TAGS AND LICENSES COST $3000.00

Standard Trophy Hunt. OUR TAGS AND LICENSES COST $2750.00

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 Trophy Hunt. OUR TAGS AND LICENSES COST $5000.00

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 PERMITS AND TAGS COST $900.00 PER-NIGHT

THIS HUNT IS FOR CLIENTS SUCCESSFUL IN THE PUBLIC WATER DRAWING AND RECEIVING THEIR OWN PERMIT AND TAGS FROM THE STATE.

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 PERMITS AND TAGS. One hunter must be a licensed trapper (WITH HIS OWN PERMIT) and the other person (guest) must be licensed as a state agent trapper (only) if planning to participate in any harvest. This $50.00 agents licenses is a requirement for each person participating in the harvest of alligators with you. 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.

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.

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 studios. They will contact you at that time concerning your mount, cost of any taxidermy work being preformed, deposit on the work, etc.

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.

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. Public waters hunters will be required to wear dark clothing on the airboats as light colored clothing reflects light.

NON-HUNTING GUESTS

We currently allow LIMITED non-hunting guests along on the hunt 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.