Author: Gator Hunter

Sale or Transfer of Alligator Products

Heading out into a marsh or swamp alligator hunting is great, but hunters must be careful with how they handle the animal after a successful harvest. Meat from alligators harvested by public hunters cannot be sold or bartered by hunters. In fact, even the meat given to others must be clearly labeled with a tag and the corresponding harvest tag number. This is to protect the person receiving the product, in the event they are found in posession of alligator.

However, alligator hides and parts can be sold or transferred if they are tagged with either a CITES tag before being sold, transferred, bartered or given to another person. Some states even have additional validation tags they can issue to successful hunters for tracking these parts. All alligator tanneries or hide buyers will require a CITES tag in order to process or purchase an alligator hide. Continue reading Sale or Transfer of Alligator Products

South Carolina Gator Hunting Timeline

If you plan on going alligator hunting in South Carolina, there is a lot of things you need to plan for. As with all other hunting trips, it’s easier said than done, but a good gator hunt is well worth it! For those that plan on applying for the South Carolina public alligator hunts, below is a timeline that will help you out.

Between May 1 to June 15 you can apply online by 11:59 p.m. on June 15 to participate in their public alligator hunting program. This starts online annually beginning on May 1 and there is no added benefit in trying to apply as early as possible. It’s a lottery systems so getting your name in the hat early will not help your chances of being selected for a hunt.

Starting in July, hunters will begin to be notified of their alligator hunt application status. Hunters that are selected will have until October 1 to purchase their permit and alligator harvest tag. You must return to the online application system and purchase your alligator tag and permit for $100. Continue reading South Carolina Gator Hunting Timeline

How to Cure an Alligator Hide

There are two methods may be used to temporarily preserve and/or cure an alligator skin until it can be sold or sent to a tannery. The first method is through repeated salting of the hide and storing it in a cool, dry location. Method two (which utilizes some similar techniques to method one) is through the use of a brine solution.

Alligator Hide Curing – Method 1

After an alligator has been skinned, the hide should be scraped thoroughly using a knife, a piece of metal pipe or another appropriate object until all bits of meat, fat, etc. are removed. After scraping, salt the hide with approximately one inch of white, fine grade table or mixing salt (available at most feed and seed stores). Thoroughly rub the salt into the hide, then roll the hide tightly, secure it and store it in a cool place. After 3-5 days, unroll the hide, discard the salt and repeat the salting procedure as described above. Re-roll the hide tightly and band with a one-inch rubber band or other rubber tubing. Store the rolled hide in a cool, dry place until transported for validation. Continue reading How to Cure an Alligator Hide

Alligator Consumption in South Carolina

Hunters love taking to the outdoors and enjoying the rewards of a successful harvest, but some caution should be taken in consuming alligator meat. In appears alligator hunters may be exposed to mercury through the reptile’s meat. In conjunction with the limited harvest of alligators, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is issuing recommendations on the consumption of wild alligator meat.

American alligators are a long-lived species that can grow to large sizes and may accumulate significant amounts of mercury. Information on mercury in alligators harvested in South Carolina is quite limited, but their thinking is better safe than sorry. Information suggests that certain people may be at risk if consumption of alligator meat occurs. Continue reading Alligator Consumption in South Carolina