What gun for.....gator?
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Don't linger near the edge lines, and pay attention to what's around you in the swamp grass. They're ambush predators, not pursuit predators.
They're also not very difficult to kill. Most hunted/fished gators are killed with 22LR's. A .357mag is plenty of gator medicine, but I'd probably carry a 45acp or 44mag. Just who I am.
A couple buddies and I earned a contract to kill gators in the late 1990's, we used 223rem and x39 across the water as far as 200-300yrds. Well hit, it's a quick KO.
They're also not very difficult to kill. Most hunted/fished gators are killed with 22LR's. A .357mag is plenty of gator medicine, but I'd probably carry a 45acp or 44mag. Just who I am.
A couple buddies and I earned a contract to kill gators in the late 1990's, we used 223rem and x39 across the water as far as 200-300yrds. Well hit, it's a quick KO.
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334 Posts
Mama always taught us kids not to play with the lizards.
Unless you go looking for a lizard, the lizard usually won't come looking for you. But, like sheeple, not all lizards are equal.
Oh, can't forget, taste like chicken...
Anything from a .22LR and up will usually dispatch a lizard rather quickly. You might be more concerned about the hogs thou...
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Thats me. I wont go "under gunned".
Like they say,, " Its better to have it and not need it, than need it sand not have it. "
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Gators are the least of my worries in FL swamps I hunt. I kick them off my trails and flush them out fairly often. So long as a gator has not been fed by humans they are very leary. Hogs, and Snakes are much bigger concern. BTW you are going to have some serious explaining to do if you kill an alligator here in Florida without a permit. Not saying you will not be cleared, but poaching is a serious matter with all of the fwc officers I have run into and talk to regularly.
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If you're much of an outdoorsman you'll love FL. As a few have mentioned snakes are my #1 concern when I hit the brush and swamp bottoms. Which isn't to say that I don't have a healthy fear of gators. Regardless, if your firearm will handle a gator of any size it can also handle a moccasin. I'm a GA/FL native, and live between the Okeefenokee swamp and the coast right on the state line. If you're use to IL, the heat and bugs will likely be the biggest shock (my in-laws moved here from beautiful Montana - it took some adjustment). Anyhow, I wish you safe travels, a smooth transition, and a warm welcome.
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Thanks all. I'm moving to the Sebastian area so probably not as terribly hot as further south. I got married (2004) in Cancun in June so I know what heat is. I've had enough of snow and cold, I'd much rather have the heat, that's what swimming pools are for.
I used to golf in Georgia every spring so I'm no stranger to gators, snakes or bobcats.
I used to golf in Georgia every spring so I'm no stranger to gators, snakes or bobcats.
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As a land surveyor in SC, I've encountered them all and you learn a sense for their presence...just back off!
I got my fill of moccasins many years ago stomping and wading through the swamps at Ft Benning. We used to get a case of beer, sit on the bank of the Chattahoochee and try our hand shooting the heads off moccasins swimming out in the river with a cheap Marlin mod 60 .22 rifle. Great fun for an 18 yr old. These days I want nothing to do with snakes of any kind.
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You my friend, are headed into hog and moccasin country if you venture into St. Sebastian state park....Thanks all. I'm moving to the Sebastian area so probably not as terribly hot as further south. I got married (2004) in Cancun in June so I know what heat is. I've had enough of snow and cold, I'd much rather have the heat, that's what swimming pools are for.
I used to golf in Georgia every spring so I'm no stranger to gators, snakes or bobcats.
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I lived in Florida for a good number of years. Yeah the 22lr is used for hunting them but take into consideration that's a scenario where the gator has already been snagged and on the line. Shot placement takes it down quick but I have heard incidents where a gator skull was so thick it deflected 45acp shots.
If you're walking through swampland or taking a hike through the Everglades then take the biggest caliber you can handle. They've been known to quietly stalk up on people fishing too. They can be unpredictable when you're in their territory. A charging gator that takes you by surprise is probably not going to go down with a 22. Here's a story from 2013 (which I will post the link below) where a Florida man defended himself against a 6 ft gator with a 357 mag.
Dunnellon man kills gator in his home, initially thinking it was a burglar - Story | abcactionnews.com | Tampa Bay News, Weather, Sports, Things To Do | WFTS-TV
If you're walking through swampland or taking a hike through the Everglades then take the biggest caliber you can handle. They've been known to quietly stalk up on people fishing too. They can be unpredictable when you're in their territory. A charging gator that takes you by surprise is probably not going to go down with a 22. Here's a story from 2013 (which I will post the link below) where a Florida man defended himself against a 6 ft gator with a 357 mag.
Dunnellon man kills gator in his home, initially thinking it was a burglar - Story | abcactionnews.com | Tampa Bay News, Weather, Sports, Things To Do | WFTS-TV
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