Alligator hunt

[Siennacoyote]

Hey Africa hunting community . I have a pickle and though I could utilize some of the groups experience. My wife surprised me last night with a Florida gator hunt as a 40th birthday gift . I’ve been talking about doing one for a while but life and expenses get in the way. She doesn’t hunt and was going to wait until the day before (she got with my boss to get my vacation time approved rented the car and booked a place to stay) . Luckily she told me a week before so I can try to figure a few things out . I’m thinking a euro mount with garment tanning for leather . I have a feeling the outfitter will try to upcharge tanning and what not so I wanted to ask if you had recommendations for tanning . My research time is limited so I wanted to focus my research if possible. I may have the outfitters taxi guy do it but I’ve heard reptiles are tough and some places are better than others . Not sure what I will do with the skin yet but figure I could hold onto it until I decide . Id also be open to leather goods makers . Wouldn’t mind a pair of shoes if big enough for even a wallet for belt if I can . As always I recommend input for anyone gracious enough to share .

 

[RLL]

Make sure your skin goes to American tanning and leather. They are the experts in this country that tan into durable goods or boot leather. If you’re unsure of color you could tan in the white and then dye later but it’s usually not as uniform as dying it at the same time with American. If you go the skull route, Make sure the Taxidermist knows how to get all the fat out of the brain/nasal cavity without over boiling or degreasing. My 2cents and I’ve done this a few times

 

[slam8031]

I agree with RLL on the tanning. It depends where you live/travel by in terms of skull processing—in South Carolina we have a good skull guy and shoulder mount guy at Cordray’s. He sent my leather to American. Alligator teeth need to be glued in for skull mounts (time consuming and aggravating).

 

[Fatback]

I always use American Tanning and Leather for all alligator hides getting tanned. They are located in Griffin, GA and are one of the best with alligator hides

 

[PARA45]

I've killed 4 gators in FL, and this was getting tags through their lottery system. I kept the best skin, and it's tanned and on my wall. I did a shoulder mount of the biggest one 10'9", and the others were floor mounts. If you want a skin to tan and make something with it, anything under 10 is better. The bigger the gator (male) the more scars they'll have.

 

[RLL]

Make sure your skin goes to American tanning and leather. They are the experts in this country that tan into durable goods or boot leather. If you’re unsure of color you could tan in the white and then dye later but it’s usually not as uniform as dying it at the same time with American. If you go the skull route, Make sure the Taxidermist knows how to get all the fat out of the brain/nasal cavity without over boiling or degreasing. My 2cents and I’ve done this a few times

Also, think if you want the belly or horn back for the skin. Belly is more universal. As echoed, 6-8ft gators have the best sized scales and pattern to do a variety of goods with. About all I could do with an 11 footer one time was a rifle case. Arm pits were the only areas with small enough pattern to make a shoe/boot

 

[Siennacoyote]

Make sure your skin goes to American tanning and leather. They are the experts in this country that tan into durable goods or boot leather. If you’re unsure of color you could tan in the white and then dye later but it’s usually not as uniform as dying it at the same time with American. If you go the skull route, Make sure the Taxidermist knows how to get all the fat out of the brain/nasal cavity without over boiling or degreasing. My 2cents and I’ve done this a few times

Is “natural” an option for dying ?

 

[RLL]

Is “natural” an option for dying ?

The pigmentation in the skin will not maintain its color or vibrancy after death and the tanning process. There’s no real “natural” option for dyes that look well, natural.

 

[PARA45]

The color of my skin is called cognac, and it’s about 25 years old and has held its color very well.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I’ve used Sebring Custom Tanning for years and they do a great job. Cowtown boots in El Paso for boots. I make my own wallets, belts, rifle slings etc., do my own mounts.

 

[Mike70560]

Not a great picture, but a nice mount. I had it done in Houston years ago for a friend of mine.

 

[Mike70560]

Another thumbs up for American Tanning

Tanning Services

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amtan.com

Make sure you have the correct paperwork to ship it across state lines. The tag on the hide is a CITES tag.

 

[John Wasmuth]

If you are going before the regular season starts August 15, you’ll be hunting on private property and they get issued their own Cites tags. The outfitter should deal with the paperwork, Cites tag, shipping etc.,

 

[Oil & Dirt]

Here is a belt, wallet, and boots that I had done from about an 8 footer. American did the tanning but I don’t remember the color. When I was looking at boot makers almost all asked where the tanning was done and some would only work with hides tanned at American. Let me know if you need more details but it was a pretty seamless process

 

[MarkB]

My suggestion. Call @gizmo, he will answer all your questions from experience. He tans and mounts them.

MB

 

[gizmo]

I’d be glad to help you if you’d like.

 

[jomw10]

First you have to decide if you want leather or horn back. Leather if you want to make goods. This decision will dictate how the gator is skinned. I have one of each. Leather give you more options. I sent mine to Sebring taxidermy in Florida

 

[Franco]

Hey Africa hunting community . I have a pickle and though I could utilize some of the groups experience. My wife surprised me last night with a Florida gator hunt as a 40th birthday gift . I’ve been talking about doing one for a while but life and expenses get in the way. She doesn’t hunt and was going to wait until the day before (she got with my boss to get my vacation time approved rented the car and booked a place to stay) . Luckily she told me a week before so I can try to figure a few things out . I’m thinking a euro mount with garment tanning for leather . I have a feeling the outfitter will try to upcharge tanning and what not so I wanted to ask if you had recommendations for tanning . My research time is limited so I wanted to focus my research if possible. I may have the outfitters taxi guy do it but I’ve heard reptiles are tough and some places are better than others . Not sure what I will do with the skin yet but figure I could hold onto it until I decide . Id also be open to leather goods makers . Wouldn’t mind a pair of shoes if big enough for even a wallet for belt if I can . As always I recommend input for anyone gracious enough to share .

What are the specifics of the hunt - 1 trophy size, multiples, as many as you want to buy? Are you going with a certain size in mind or let the size dictate what you do?

I've shot a lot of alligators, and I have quite a few hides, heads, and mounts. You will have to choose hide or rug because it determines how it's skinned.

Here's some pictures:

The wall mount rug is just 13', the full-body was 12'8". There's a couple euro skulls, and some hides. The 2 colors are cognac and walnut. The sizes range from 5' to 12' 6", I believe there are 15 or 16 hides in this latest shipment - I have more packed away. My wife has some in red, blue, emerald green, and some colors I can't pronounce - all from American Tanning. Go to their website, they have some beautiful color choices. My wife, the queen of handbags has them on speed dial.

Good luck on your hunt. Is it bait, hook, or stalk?

 

[Siennacoyote]

Not a great picture, but a nice mount. I had it done in Houston years ago for a friend of mine.


View attachment 684522

What are the specifics of the hunt - 1 trophy size, multiples, as many as you want to buy? Are you going with a certain size in mind or let the size dictate what you do?

I've shot a lot of alligators, and I have quite a few hides, heads, and mounts. You will have to choose hide or rug because it determines how it's skinned.

Here's some pictures:

View attachment 684578View attachment 684579View attachment 684580View attachment 684581View attachment 684582View attachment 684583View attachment 684584

The wall mount rug is just 13', the full-body was 12'8". There's a couple euro skulls, and some hides. The 2 colors are cognac and walnut. The sizes range from 5' to 12' 6", I believe there are 15 or 16 hides in this latest shipment - I have more packed away. My wife has some in red, blue, emerald green, and some colors I can't pronounce - all from American Tanning. Go to their website, they have some beautiful color choices. My wife, the queen of handbags has them on speed dial.

Good luck on your hunt. Is it bait, hook, or stalk?

I need to call the outfitter when I have a block of time . Looks like hook then shoot. As for size It is based on increments . Not sure if I’ll do it again so I’m starting to lean towards the 9-10 ft range . I will do it for garments and not a rug been looking at the horn back and belly skins. Isn’t it possible to do both? I was thinking horn back tops might look really need on a pair of shoes.
American is going to be my choice I looked at a bunch when I put this up and they seemed like the best. All the feedback from you guys has backed up that thought . Right now the main things I need to figure out is can my meat be ready by Saturday night if I shoot the gator Thursday . I’ll get the outfitters taxi info and discuss skinning it prepping it and getting it sent to American . I think I’ll pay them to tan ( thinking something in a brown or green) and have it shipped to me while I look at the leather goods makers . I figure I’ll have a year to find someone to make some dress shoes and accompaniments .
Appreciate everything posted so far. You all never disappoint . @gizmo I’m going to reach out sometime when it’s quiet . I’d love to hear some ideas from you

 

[Franco]

I need to call the outfitter when I have a block of time . Looks like hook then shoot. As for size It is based on increments . Not sure if I’ll do it again so I’m starting to lean towards the 9-10 ft range . I will do it for garments and not a rug been looking at the horn back and belly skins. Isn’t it possible to do both? I was thinking horn back tops might look really need on a pair of shoes.
American is going to be my choice I looked at a bunch when I put this up and they seemed like the best. All the feedback from you guys has backed up that thought . Right now the main things I need to figure out is can my meat be ready by Saturday night if I shoot the gator Thursday . I’ll get the outfitters taxi info and discuss skinning it prepping it and getting it sent to American . I think I’ll pay them to tan ( thinking something in a brown or green) and have it shipped to me while I look at the leather goods makers . I figure I’ll have a year to find someone to make some dress shoes and accompaniments .
Appreciate everything posted so far. You all never disappoint . @gizmo I’m going to reach out sometime when it’s quiet . I’d love to hear some ideas from you

Hook, as in baited hook or hook as in cast? Shoot with rifle or pistol?

You will have to ask @gismo, but I believe when they skin for hides they cut along either side of the hornback and that strip is then discarded because it's difficult to process on a large gator. Having said that, I do have several hornback belts.
You will find not all the hide will be usable as there will be scars, tears, and the pattern might not work out. That's one of the reasons I have so many.

Please excuse me, but I have to say this - BE CAREFUL! This is meant to caution you, not scare you.

Alligators are powerful, fast, and can turn on you in a heartbeat. Shooting requires accurate placement to be effective. You want a brain shot. There is a soft plate just behind the top of the head, slightly behind the eyes - that's were I aim, but I shoot them with a pistol not a rifle. Side shots to the brain work as well; the full body mount in my pictures was shot thru the right eye as he was attempting to climb in the boat.

Best of luck, have fun, send pictures