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Florida Alligator Hunting

Welcome Y'all
 
Ron's Guide Service offers an affordable and exciting resident or non-resident alligator hunt on private land year-round. Our fully guided hunts are conducted during day and night on private ranches and leased land that consist of wetlands, small lakes, ponds, canals, and marsh which are prime alligator habitat. There are hundreds of alligators from the sizes of 4 feet to 13 feet.

Hunting Hours
 
Fully Guided Hunting Times Monday-Sunday:
  • 9:00 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • 1:00 PM
  • 3:00 PM
  • 7:00 PM
Your success rate during an afternoon of hunting is just as good as a morning of hunting.
 
Please note
Hunting times are not based on how long you have to hunt. For example, just because you arrive at 8:00 AM does not mean your hunt will end at 10:00 AM. We have time slots to prevent too many hunters arriving all at once and to assure everyone gets individual attention.
 
Hunting Length

Ron's Guide Service does not believe in rushing our clients.
You will have as many hours needed to successfully complete your hunt.
How long your hunt will take depends on many different factors such as weapons being used, alligator size, and how many hunters are in your party. On average a hunter can successfully complete their hunt within 1-3 hours.
 
Private Hunts
 
Alligator hunts are typically private and consists of your party and guide.
 
Transportation
 
We use a variety of vehicles and vessels for alligator hunting depending on the situation.
Our swamp buggy is loved by kids of all ages and is especially helpful for our clients who have trouble walking. We have two buggies, each buggy accommodates eight passengers. A Utility ATV, Jeep, 4x4 truck, powerboat, and airboat are used if conditions require their need. The type of vehicle or vessel that will be used during your hunt is at the discretion of the guide however if there is a particular vehicle you would like to use we are more than happy to accommodate your request if possible.
 
Hunting Method
Hunters beware! You're in for a scare! It is a lot easier to spot these dinosaurs rise up from the murky deep while the sun is shining, however if your up for something a little more creepy our night hunts should do the trick! We typically start out with a simple locating line such as a casting rod and snatch hook. Once located, the alligator must be tagged by harpoon with a line or shot with a bow equipped with a fishing rig. Once the alligator is tagged with the line a hunter may use the weapon of their choice. A bang stick is required on night hunts.
 
Weapons
 
The following weapons can be used to hunt alligator:
  • Bangstick
  • Bow
  • Crossbow
  • Handgun
  • Harpoon
  • Muzzleloader
  • Rifle
  • Shotgun
  • Spear
A Rifle or a bang stick are by far the preferred weapons for alligator hunting. 243 and 30-30 rifles are a great choice. For bangsticks we recommend a 357 magnum for smaller alligators and a 44 magnum for the larger ones. Long bows, compound bows, recurve bows, and crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds are also sufficient. If you use a bow fishing rig attachment the line should be in the 200 to 300 lb size class. You can also use a broad head arrow. If you choose to use a bow the alligator will be recovered with a rope and treble hook.
 
Loaner Weapons
 
Our alligator hunting rate includes use of the following loaner weapons:
  • Bangstick
  • 243 Rifle
  • 22 Magnum Rifle
  • 12 guage shotgun
  • Harpoon
  • Spear
Ammunition

We recommend buckshot 2 3/4 inch #4 or 00.
12 gauge deer slug shells 2 3/4 inch smoothbore or rifled barrel can also be used.
A five shell 2 3/4 inch box will be enough for each hunter.
100 grain is plenty for our 243 rifle.
Ammunition can be purchased without a license anywhere in the state of Florida.
Ammunition is not available for purchase at the hunting site.

Sighting In

You will be able to sight in your weapon when you arrive at the hunting area.

Shipping Weapons

A hunter may ship a firearm in care of Ron's Guide Service.
The package should be addressed the following way:
 
Your Name
c/o Ron's Guide Service
Our Address

Please contact us before shipping your weapon.
 
Air Travel with Weapons
 
For details on air travel with firearms please contact the official
Transportation Security Administration.
 
Transportation Security Administration
http://www.tsa.gov
(866) 289-9673
 
Florida Alligator History
Early Spanish explorers who encountered these reptiles named them “el lagarto” meaning lizard. Eventually settlers called them “allagarto”, which was then corrupted to “alligator”. Alligators are found only in the southeastern United States, mostly in Florida and coastal portions of Louisiana. Alligators are olive-brown to black with creamy white around the jaws, and on the neck and belly. They have a broad snout, and 74-80 conical teeth, some of which can be as large as your little finger. Below each tooth is a replacement, which appears when the primary tooth is damaged or worn. However, these teeth are not designed for chewing, they are used for grabbing and holding. The muscles that close the jaw can exert literally tons of pressure, but muscles for opening the jaw are weak, and an alligator’s jaw can be held closed with a thick rubber band. This fact is skillfully exploited during most alligator wrestling shows. Some 1.5 million alligators live in Florida, many of them in close proximity to people. Alligators are carnivorous. Baby alligators eat a variety of insects, small fish, frogs, and snails. Larger alligators will eat almost anything including fish, turtles, mammals, birds, reptiles, carrion and even other alligators.  They also eat stones, sticks and aluminum cans.  The stomachs of harvested alligators have been found to contain stones, fishing lures, aluminum pull tops, dog collars, and plastic debris. A large gator living in a pond in west Florida had a stomach full of dog collars when it was finally killed. Trappers had been led to the dog killing-gator by a radio collar on a missing hunting dog. The alligator had eaten the dog radio-collar and all.
 
Alligator Size

A large adult alligator can weigh as much as 1000 pounds and can live for decades. The longest alligator on record was killed deep in a Louisiana swamp by E. A. McLlhenny in the early 1900’s. The beast was too big to get out of the swamp so he estimated the animal’s length using his rifle, it measured about 584 cm (19.1 ft).  The record for Florida is a 531 cm (17.5 ft) alligator killed at Lake Apoka in 1956. The amount of meat a hunter will get depends on how fat the alligator is.
On average a hunter may get about 20 to 30 lbs from a alligator in the size range of 9-12 feet, 10 to 15 lbs from a alligator in the size range of 6-9 feet, and about 5 to 8 lbs or more from a alligator in the size range of 4-6 feet.
 
Alligator Taste
 
As cliché as it sounds, alligator tastes a lot like chicken. It is white meat with a tougher texture similar to calamari.
 
License

A statewide alligator trapping agent license is required prior to your hunt.
The typical cost is $52.00 for residents and non-residents. The license can be purchased by phone or from any Florida hunting and fishing retail outlet store like Walmart. The Alligator Trapping Agent license is issued immediately after purchase.
 
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
1-888-486-8356
 
There is a 24 hour Walmart in the town of Okeechobee which sells the alligator trapping agent license.
 
Walmart Supercenter
2101 South Parrot Ave
Okeechobee, FL 34974
(863) 763-7070
 
Non-Hunters

Our $20.00 per non-hunter rate permits a friend or youngster to tag along and watch, film,
and participate in the excitement of the hunt.

Age Requirements
 
we allow youngsters who are at least six years old to hunt.
Children as young as three enjoy riding on our swamp buggy.

Experience Level
 
Ron's Guide Service welcomes all levels of experience.
Our guided hunts are perfect for first timers and advanced hunters.
Our guides are experienced and patient to ensure you have a memorable hunt.

What to Bring
 
Bringing a poncho or raincoat is advisable in order to be prepared for the temperamental Florida weather. Drinking plenty of liquids such as water during your Ron's Guide Service experience is also recommended. Sunscreen is essential anytime you go out into the Florida sun. A hat and sunglasses will also help keep the sun out of your face. Over-the-counter pain medications help to soothe aches and pains after a long day of hunting. If you plan to rent a car or drive while in Florida, bring small bills and coins for Florida's many toll roads. Bring your camera and extra batteries, as well the charger and extra memory cards or film. We recommend a large ice cooler (60 qt. or bigger) and large plastic bags (trash type) to pack your meat in. You will also need to supply your own ice. Coolers and bagged or dry ice is not available for purchase at the hunting site.
 
What to Wear
 
Camouflage is fun but not necessary. When visiting Florida in the warmer months, generally between March and October, pack comfortable, lightweight clothing to help keep you cool during the day. During the cooler season, bring an assortment of short-sleeved and long-sleeved clothing items, as well as a lightweight jacket or two because temperatures often fluctuate from day to day during the winter.
 
Meat Processing
 
Ron's Guide Service provides processing on all kills completely free.
Your kill will be skinned, cleaned, and quartered immediately after your hunt.

Professional Butchering
 
A hunter can choose to have a professional butcher process his kill.
Visit our trip resources page for more details and a list of local butchers.
 
Taxidermy
 
Taxidermy preparation is provided free by Ron's Guide Service.
After preparation of your kill you can take it to your taxidermist or we can provide you with our affordable taxidermy service. Visit our taxidermy page for details and pricing.
 
Shipping Meat
 
There are many options for getting your meat back home.
Visit our trip resources page for detailed solutions.
 
Hunting Zone

According to the Florida hunting regulations handbook Glades County is classified as the south zone and Highlands and Okeechobee County are classified as central zones. These areas are considered to be the finest hunting zones in Florida.

Guest Policies
  • We encourage hunters to utilize all meat and leave nothing to waste. Meat not taken will be donated.
  • We offer a money back guarantee in the event our guides are unable to provide a hunter with an opportunity to kill a alligator in the size range they reserved.
  • No alcohol of any kind is allowed to be consumed on our hunts or prior to your hunt. If you are unable to come sober, please don't come. You will not hunt and you will forfeit your reservation deposit.