Giant 1,000-Pound Class Florida Gator
Big “lizards” are common in the Sunshine State, but this one is something special.
Robert Gatling is a Jacksonville dentist with a passion for Florida alligator hunting. He’s been after them over the last seven years, and annually takes some heavyweights, including many over 10 feet long weighing hundreds of pounds. But the brute he and three buddies located Sept. 20 in the St. Johns River about 30 miles south of Jacksonville near the town of Palatka was not your average lake-living “lizard.” Gatling and area friends Andy Burns, Larry Geiger and Keith Price launched their 17-foot Stumpknocker skiff in Palatka at sunset. Then they headed south toward sprawling Lake George looking for gators. AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (12)
As a Georgetown resident (on Lake George), I support managed gator harvesting.
I remember what it was like when gators were over-harvested to the brink of extinction. That was a travesty. I also remember what happened when the pendulum was allowed to swing too far in the other direction, when preservation efforts went unchecked for too long, resulting in severe gator overpopulation.
It is perfectly sensible to allow hunters to harvest alligators in a controlled manner, as this man did. I say this as someone who doesn't hunt myself, but is a great supporter of the rights of others to hunt in a responsible fashion.
bcksht339....you are a dumb ass. It was not shot, it was harpooned and then hit with a bang stick. Yes, Harpooned with a wooden stick, a tip and a rope. I would know as my Dad was the one who harvested the Gator. If it is so easy, then go give it a run and let me know how it works out for you. Get your story straight my friend!
just saw these photos for the first time, i think its a shame...also monkey fish has somewhat of a point except that a 300 class deer can grow to that in 4 to 5 years but a gator that size takes the better part of a century..seems a waste just so someone can brag about it..probly feel differently if the guy had wrestled it in the water and cut its throat but shooting a gator with a rifle on land? way to go you badass
wow. That's a cool gator
sfa you are an idiot!! why do ya hunt if ya wouldnt shoot a monster like that? i mean for real man come on!!
To SFA, I've seen quite a few in that size range. They're out there and they're hard to kill. They only get that big because they get smart or because they live where the hunters can't go.
wow! unreal!!!!!
What a Lizard!! I have never seen a bigger gator. SFA, what the heck are you talking about. If u saw a 300+ class deer would you shoot it, because i would. Its no different than any other big game animal. Leave out the ethics crud and just say congrats. Thats my rant of the day
Regardless of whether or not the meat was used, it seems a waste to me. I'm as much of a hunter as anyone, but that gator is of a mythical size, especially for something state-side. There won't be many of these ancents left if this kind of thing gets out of hand.
Dang that's a huge gator
I could have blackened alligator once a week for a long time with that one. Congrats on a job well done.
That's a big gator. Congratulations, Robert. Well done.
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That's a big gator. Congratulations, Robert. Well done.
Dang that's a huge gator
wow! unreal!!!!!
To SFA, I've seen quite a few in that size range. They're out there and they're hard to kill. They only get that big because they get smart or because they live where the hunters can't go.
I could have blackened alligator once a week for a long time with that one. Congrats on a job well done.
What a Lizard!! I have never seen a bigger gator. SFA, what the heck are you talking about. If u saw a 300+ class deer would you shoot it, because i would. Its no different than any other big game animal. Leave out the ethics crud and just say congrats. Thats my rant of the day
sfa you are an idiot!! why do ya hunt if ya wouldnt shoot a monster like that? i mean for real man come on!!
wow. That's a cool gator
just saw these photos for the first time, i think its a shame...also monkey fish has somewhat of a point except that a 300 class deer can grow to that in 4 to 5 years but a gator that size takes the better part of a century..seems a waste just so someone can brag about it..probly feel differently if the guy had wrestled it in the water and cut its throat but shooting a gator with a rifle on land? way to go you badass
bcksht339....you are a dumb ass. It was not shot, it was harpooned and then hit with a bang stick. Yes, Harpooned with a wooden stick, a tip and a rope. I would know as my Dad was the one who harvested the Gator. If it is so easy, then go give it a run and let me know how it works out for you. Get your story straight my friend!
As a Georgetown resident (on Lake George), I support managed gator harvesting.
I remember what it was like when gators were over-harvested to the brink of extinction. That was a travesty. I also remember what happened when the pendulum was allowed to swing too far in the other direction, when preservation efforts went unchecked for too long, resulting in severe gator overpopulation.
It is perfectly sensible to allow hunters to harvest alligators in a controlled manner, as this man did. I say this as someone who doesn't hunt myself, but is a great supporter of the rights of others to hunt in a responsible fashion.
Regardless of whether or not the meat was used, it seems a waste to me. I'm as much of a hunter as anyone, but that gator is of a mythical size, especially for something state-side. There won't be many of these ancents left if this kind of thing gets out of hand.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)