GUIDE SERVICE & HUNT INFORMATION
We will be happy to provide a full service alligator hunt experience, a complete package, in writing, which includes guide, equipment, vessel, light snacks and soda.
We will transport your gators to our processor, buy your gators from you, or trade your gators for High Classic gator leather products. Call for details, references or past harvest results.
Price: $895.00. Each additional hunter/rider - $75.00 $250.00 deposit to confirm booking. Book early, our guides fill fast! Trophy fees may apply to 10'+ gators. Call for information and rates on Guide service in Georgia.
Charter Service across Dixie
Available in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. We are one of the few guides that works outside of a single State or local area. We make the investment in leaning the laws and habits of the gators in all States. We produce trophy class gators in all States we hunt. Our charters start at $650/night. Call for details.
Referral Service
Gator Guides has a pool of associate guides across the region. We will be happy to refer you to a guide, at no cost to you. Places times, terms, equipment, vessels, and prices vary according to guide & location. Call for details.
Harvest Training
For those who would prefer to harvest your own gators, with your own equipment and vessel, but are lacking a hands on experience, and in need of guidance, the solution is our Harvest Training Run. We will take you out on your harvest area, before the season starts. We will advise you on how to use your equipment, what to expect on your hunt, tips on habitat & strategy, along with help in lining up processors or purchasers. Very informative and will save you more than the price in mistakes, equipment loss, damage, accidents and headaches! Trip is about 5 hours for two people.
This service is not available in Georgia in conjunction with seminar dates!
Price $350.00 to $475.00 depending on area.
Advise before you go on your own...............
You may be thinking the price of a guide is high. With background info and some research, you may find that it's a bargain! On our guided hunts, on average, our clients harvest their two gators in ONE NIGHT, usually by 1 am, with an average size approaching 10'. According to Fish & Game's website http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/gators/public/map.htm the average for the entire statewide harvest, over the last four years, is that only 67% of the tags get filled, with an average length of 8'. If you deduct the 15% or so of guided hunts (1 night, 10' average), the percent of tags filled goes below 50% and size drops accordingly. If you further deduct the folks that hunt & fill a few permits every year, the success rate for the novices is not encouraging!
Now for the numbers. To hunt, you will need $200 to $400 of equipment (harpoons, rods, lights, bang stick, lines), a boat and a truck. Miscellaneous items may run you another $50 to $100 (bug spray, tape, maps, charts, gaff). Also, factor in you may hunt 2 to 5 nights and still not fill your tags. Depending on your boat & truck, you may burn $15 to $75 per night in fuel. Add to these expenses any damage you may do to your truck from lack of sleep or vessel from muck, stumps, logs, rocks, vegetation or gator bites (they bite VERY hard). Over heated (blown) power heads run $500 to $1,500, foot/prop damage $100 to $1,500, hull damage $150 to 1,000's! Another thing, when you hunt with your neighbor's third cousin, ask about the boat, equipment, experience and how much beer it takes to hunt. You may or may not like the answer. Last, put it all in writing!
The point to be taken is this could become a very expensive undertaking with little reward! Weigh it out carefully if you go on your own. Some advise to save you money: If you don't know the lake, run it a few times before the season, and at least once after dark. Know where the ramp is! Know your vessel's fuel consumption. Ask the locals about muck, mud, rocks, logs and stumps. Another area of concern is the ramps. With low water, don't damage your truck, boat or trailer. Also ask the locals about theft from the ramp. Many areas it's a good idea to have someone camp at your truck! Hopefully, this advice will assist you in enjoying your hunt!
Parting Shot
Should you not fill your tags during your harvest phase, call us ASAP! In October, things slow down a little and we may be able to work a deal to fill your tags in just a few hours! Hey, you paid for them, let's not turn them back to the State and become an unfilled statistic! It's worth the call!
More Information or to Book:
Call:
Capt. Phil Walters
813-220-6854
or e-mail