Landing Bull Gator With A Rolling Thunder

[1stCoC]

I was lucky enough to draw a alligator hunting tag for SC. They have not been hunted for a period since 1965 until three years ago. They are giants here such as the monster 1024lb record caught last year from the area we hunt. My plan is the gator (unlike the Swamp people show) can not be caught like a fish on a hook but must be secured (not shot) then fought in to boat side to be dispatched. The last one I was lucky enough to battle to submission was a 12'1" 546lb brute. They can easily tow or sink, or "go air" into a boat. My plan stalk up, get a hand held harpoon securing dart into him, and while braced in the boat "land him by use of a Rolling Thunder Handle. I am NOT sure how this will play out and the gator we are stalking is a big, big one.The line we use is 3000lb test nylon strapping so "SOMETHING" will give. But, if it comes together it will be a grip test of a lifetime! Richard Sorin

[Cannon]

Please get this on video.

[GatorGrip]

As one that has caught a few gators in my time I can appreciate the feat of a lifetime! Bring that Gator home!

[PITTisKING]

that sounds like fun

[Mikael Siversson]

Sounds like animal cruelty to me.

[Jedd Johnson]

Can I please assist in this hunt, either by running the motor, rowing the oars, holding the video camera, or opening the American Honey?

[1stCoC]

Well, It took 12 hours and the battle ended at 4:30 am. The gator was to say the least a "brigand" from an area where a number of dogs have been disappearing along with two innocent people loosing arms in the past three years.. 11 feet 2 inches and 459lb. He broke 600 lb. harpoon lines like thread on his first rushes . As soon as I could get a solid anchor in him we spliced in a bull line strap and hooked in the Rolling thunder handle. in a combination of everyone pulling the line taught through the Thunder's carbiner I was able to hoist him a foot at a time until his head and 1/3 of his toothy body was clear of the water still quite alive and angry. It was something I will not soon forget. As a warning this animal was very dangerous and along with professional guide and safety precautions we were successful.Yes, other than a few bruises I still have both my hands.Pictures to follow. Richard Sorin

[naturalstrength]

And all this time I thought Captain Joe and Tommy were badasses-lol!! Can't wait to see the pics

[calvus]

You're insane!! Way to Go & can't wait to see the pic!!

[kevinkamphouse]

[kevinkamphouse]

[GatorGrip]

Now that is what I call GATOR GRIP! LOL

[daniel reinard]

Straight bad*** pics RS!

[Forever]

That is just some crazy out of this world grip..."R.S. Forever"

[Hubgeezer]

Here is a more "practical" handle for pulling on something like this, a product of David Horne's, the One Hand Lift handle:

http://www.davidhorne-gripmaster.com/shop.html#ohlift

It would seem that it would serve as a functional tool in a situation like this, as one would be able to "handle" three times more force/weight than with a Rolling Thunder.

Richard, using a Rolling Thunder handle for something like this...I think you win the "Stanless Steel Award" for the most "out there" grip feat in history! I don't mean to pick on Stan, because he is my friend, but I always felt he did some of the most bizarre things one could think of. This, however, takes the prize, as I don't think anything comes close.

[1stCoC]

Hub, I did have to ponder on "the idea" for a while. Several lines broke /and or were bitten off so I was not sure of the outcome of this because any tangle,roll, or swipe with his head or even worse his tail could be a disaster. I figured about 1/3 of him was pulled from the water so about 150lb of free weight above water . If he did one tail sweep he could have been in that boat on me in a flash. Everyone had shaky legs after this one. I do think that gator could be the animal world's "answer" to a Captain of Crush. They often crush entire snapping turtles with one crunching bite! RS

[lifesnotfair]

One of the most awesome grip pictures on this board, for sure. Thanks for sharing that!!

[Six Barrel Shotgun]

Thanks for sharing this.

The gripper picture especially was extremely cool.

[Siman]

Epic ! No doubt the most awesome gripper pic ever! Not to mention an insane and dangerous feat.

[macaz]

That is a great hunt. Congratulations on the big gator! I noticed you had a climbing type harness on. What is it for? Please don’t tell me you hook up to the gator.

[1stCoC]

The climbing harness was a thing I worked up to do two things, first to allow a three point stability position while leaning out over the bow and driving the harpoon down. The guide said I was the only one he ever had any luck "on the initial strike" with a hand held harpoon in 4 years. Their top hide is made of bone scutes or plates that are very hard to penetrate.The skin under them is like a road grader tire in feel and toughness. Second point many times during the night the line gets near feet and hands and you can be pulled over and hung up under a submerged tree or root AND gators can hold their breath over an hour...I cannot. It was a safety rig that really worked well. DO have a knife on you with a dulled point to cut loose if all else fails and you are getting your arm or leg pulled out of the socket.RS

[Siman]

What's gonna happen to the Gator now, will you eat it then have the head mounted on your wall?

[1stCoC]

I have the meat processed for others to enjoy as well the head is done into a skull mount the hide tanned into boot leather and even the feet are turned into pouches for highland games athlete friends. I believe to show the beast honor you must not waste a bit of him and the money put back into wildlife preservation, and local economy is a good thing as well. Out of the 1000 lottery tags issued about 300 gators are harvested statewide. One good thing is that some dangerous ones have been removed and "the rest" have become more wary and have retreated to their natural haunts in the swamps not sitting under fishing docks or swimming areas waiting for an "easy meal". In a way a help to the ecosystem that land development and unchecked breeding has caused some problems.