Gator Hunting Techniques

Shot and edited by Glenn Judah
Published on news-press.com in August 2007



This video reporting inspired this story published on news-press.com on August 15, 2007: Local man reflects on gator hunting

The head of a 12-foot alligator rests quietly on the floor inside Scott Hutchinson's home office in Fort Myers.

"This gator took about an hour and 35 minutes to land," Hutchinson said.

This head represents just one of the gators Hutchinson has captured during his 30 hunts. It is the largest gator he has ever landed. He killed it near Lake Okeechobee.

"The size of gator you are looking for is nine to nine and half feet long," Hutchinson said. "That length produces the best meat and enough of a hide for boots."

Hutchinson has primarily used a crossbow and compound bow to hunt gators. The most traditional device used in gator hunting is a harpoon.

Gator season opens tonight with record numbers in permits, but Hutchinson will not be out there this weekend.

Besides being an avid hunter, Hutchinson is a professional certified shooting instructor and gun fitter who holds two Guinness World Records for sport shooting.

This experience has transferred well to his hunting ability. The heads of animals that adorn the walls of his house are permanent examples of his hunting trips around the world.

He has an upcoming trip to Africa where he will hunt wild boar and other animals, but concluded gator hunting is a different game.

"Gator hunting is a dangerous sport."