Weekend 1 of the 2022 Alabama Alligator Hunt is over and nearly half of the 50 tickets issued by Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries in the West Central Zone were filled.
The first night looked rather productive with seven gators brought in to the weigh station at the pavilion at Roland Cooper State Park. Night two was about the same with six brought in. That all changed on the third night when a whopping 11 gators were brought in, including the biggest of the weekend. That brings the total harvested so far this season to 24. That means there are 26 tags left to fill next weekend during the second weekend of the hunt. The season closes at sundown Aug. 21.
In 2011, there were 40 tags filled, which is the closest to filling all 50 in the West Central Zone since the Alligator Hunt started in 2006.
Most of the gators brought in were small, weighing in at 100 pounds or less and in the 7-foot range. On the first night, one weighed 292 pounds and another weighed 277, both 10 feet and one inch. The largest of the weekend was brought in the third and final night of the weekend, an 11-foot, 2-inch 363 pound monster caught at Gee’s Bend. The complete unofficial results are below courtesy of Gettin’ Outdoors with BDL.
Most of the hunters reported seeing a large number of alligators over the weekend, but they reported most were small. One hunter said he did not see many at all and took a small one because that was all he saw. One said he had a huge gator hooked but during the fight to dispatch it, it thrashed and freed itself from the hook and got away, so he took a smaller one to fill his tag.
The WFF wildlife biologist on hand to weigh the gators brought in, and some hunters speculated hunters have been targeting the largest gators. And as one biologist said, “The big gators don’t get big by being dumb,” indicating experience has taught them over the years to be more stealth. One thing they said to keep in mind is that this was just the first weekend of this year’s hunt and it is all random and even luck of the draw.
Outdoor sports often are family affairs. Hunting, including alligator hunting, is one activity that is often passed down from one generation to the next. Each year there have been teams that included youth hunters, but this year on this first weekend there was one team that was unique. It consisted of a nine year old boy, a nine year old girl and their dads. Justin Jones and Justin Bonds both of Montgomery are experienced hunters and have hunted alligator in the South West Zone before. But this year they brought their kids. Ethan Jones has hunted with his father quite a lot “I’ve hunted deer and turkey. I think hunting turkey is my favorite.” He said this was the first time he had been on a gator hunt and quickly added “well I like hunting alligator now.” Caroline Bonds has never hunted anything before in her nine years. She said she loved it and she might try hunting other animals too. Both of the young hunters say they want to come back and hunt gator again.
Alabama River Zone Alligator Hunt 2022 Week One
Courtesy Gettin’ Outdoors with BDL
Night 1 - 08/11/12/2022
01 – Brandon Ericson (New Market) Ellis Landing, 6’ 6.5”, 55 lbs., F
02 – Gregory Holifield (Marion) Chilatchee, 10’ 1”, 292 lbs., M
03 – Timothy King (Helena) Liddell Slough, 10’ 1”, 277 lbs., M
04 – David Larimer, Foster Creek, 8’ 6.5”, 167 lbs., M
05 – Billy Gulledge (Oneona) Big Swamp, 8’, 119 lbs., M
06 – Michael Fennel (Alex City) Al. River, 8’ 7”, 163 lbs., M
07 – Joshua Dean, Al. River, 7’ 3.5”, 80 lbs., M
Night 2 – 08/12/13/2022
08 – Doug Kimberly, Chilatchee Creek, 7’ 6”, 103 lbs., F
09 – Austin Green, Bogue Chitto Creek, 7’ 5”, 103 lbs., M
10 – Cory Fillingim (Spanish Fort) 5’ 9”, 35 lbs., M
11 – Clay Wallace (Helena) 6’ 6”, 63 lbs., M
12 – Justin Bond (Montgomery) 7’ 1”, 72 lbs., M
13 – Stanley Weaver (Hartselle) 6’ 11”, 73lbs., M
Night 3 – 08/13/14/2022
14 – William Howell (Huntsville) (Millers Ferry) 7’ 1”, 77 lbs., M
15 – Chris Lynder (Southside) Portland, 6’ 9”, 66 lbs., M
16 – Eric Machow (Vinemont) PBC, 9’ 6.5”, 201 lbs., M
17 – William Lott (Wetumpka) Chilatchee Creek, 9’, 207 lbs., M
18 – Charles Hopper (Hoover) Chilatchee Creek, 7’ 10”, 129 lbs., M
19 – Will Holt (Notasulga) 7’ 9”, 108 lbs., M
20 – Arian Johnson (Hope Hull) Chilatchee Creek, 7’, 61 lbs., M
21 – CJ Knight (Sylacauga) Gees Bend, 11’ 2”, 363 lbs., M
22 – Russell Herring (Opelika) Millers Ferry, 7’ 1”, 85 lbs., F
23 – Richard Wood II (Opelika) Millers Ferry, 7’ 11”, 100 lbs., F
24 – Keith Oakley (Montgomery) Isaac Creek, 7’, 79 lbs., F
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