Showing posts with label alligator hunters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alligator hunters. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Can You Believe We Are On Season 6!?!?
Hard to believe we are on season six already. It doesn't seem like that long ago when I started this blog but looking now, I realize its been 5 years since I started writing on here. Time goes by so quick!
So Who is the one everyone here has their eye on this season? You know me, I'm a die hard Troy Landry fan. What can I say, Im a girl that likes a guy that requires subtitles.:)
Seriously though, Troy portrays the kind of man that is really down to earth, someone that cares deeply for his family and his friends and he's all around fun. So keep it up Troy, choot em'!
Are there any new faves? Has any of my non Louisiana residents got up enough nerve to take on the swamps for themselves yet? I hear people talk about how they are planning on it, but has anyone actually done it yet?
What did everyone think of Mondays episode? Are they acting crazy or do they know what they're doing? They all take daring steps to ensure a good payout, but is the dare worth the reward.
Friday, February 15, 2013
It's a Family Thing! Season Premier of Swamp People
What did y'all think of last night premier for Swamp Peoples 3rd season?
I for one thought it was fantastic..
If you didn't catch last nights episode you missed one heck of a kick off to the season...
Troy Landry brought in his son Brandon to help him out this season since his usual wingman Clint is unable to help him as much he would like because he has to attend to his turtle farm... Although Brandon was a little slow to start and missed his first shot he got the hang of it the second go around and made his daddy proud.
It started out with a late start due from Hurricane Isaac. I remember that bad boy! That hurricane cost my own family thousands in damages... Mother nature is no joke! I know that these swampers will overcome even though they had a late start in the season.
Elizabeth brought on her daughter Jessica. Chrissy had to take care of her cattle as Isaac resulted in trouble for her but we should see her back with Elizabeth soon enough. Elizabeths daughter Jessica may only be 19 years old, she has the family business in her blood and proved to her mama she has what it takes to be a swamp queen just like her mom.
Jay scared the crap out of his daddy by jumping in the water with a gigantic behemoth of a gator. Thankfully he was unhurt and his daddy dubbed him warrior for the day...
Fresh meat! Im not talking about the gators either. On Last nights premier we got a sneak peak at the new swampers in our Louisiana Bayou. These boys are Fresh from Texas! "Bigfoot" Hatcher seems to be the one to watch and Im not saying that just because my maiden name is also Hatcher. ;) But with a name like Bigfoot he must bring some entertainment.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
New Season Begins
The newest season of Swamp People start tonight February 14th, 2013 at 9/8 Central so tune in! Heres to another great season of your favorite show on the air!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Can the Women Survive?
Last week we saw Liz take on the swamps with her female co-pilot Christy... Even though they looked like they would struggle with their 1,000 pound beast caught on Liz's late fathers line, it sure didn't stop them from ultimately succeeding and dragging in a powerful catch any man or woman would be proud of. Although it was a close call the length of the beast beat out the swamp king Troy Landry's catch of a 13 footer... They may be ladies, but definitely not the weaker sex. Best of luck to you Liz as you hunts continue!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
King of the Swamp Troy Landry Coming to Silver Slipper Casino
Live on the coast? Fan of Choot em' and the creator of the catch phrase? Then you shouldn't miss out on meeting the king and his son Jacob. They will be appearing Saturday the 29th, 2011 to draw for the grand prize, a Gator XUV 825i, to be given away in the Slipper’s “Gators Gone Wild” Giveaway. If you would also like to get in on that action its simple, there are 3 ways to win in the Slipper’s “Gators Gone Wild” Giveaway, with 160 winners and over $50,000 in cash & prizes.
Every Friday and Saturday, now through October 28 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and on October 29 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., members of the Silver Slipper Players Club can play for entries into the grand prize drawing to be held October 29 at 9:00 p.m. Additionally, members can play for a chance to be one of two winners, every ½ hour during those same days and times, who will win a $100 Academy Sports Gift Card or $150 in Free Slot Play and an Official Choot ‘Em T-Shirt. And, all ½ hour winners will receive a special entry into a drawing for a Gator TX to be given away on Saturday, October 29 at 10:00 p.m., after the grand prize drawing.
Every Friday and Saturday, now through October 28 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and on October 29 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., members of the Silver Slipper Players Club can play for entries into the grand prize drawing to be held October 29 at 9:00 p.m. Additionally, members can play for a chance to be one of two winners, every ½ hour during those same days and times, who will win a $100 Academy Sports Gift Card or $150 in Free Slot Play and an Official Choot ‘Em T-Shirt. And, all ½ hour winners will receive a special entry into a drawing for a Gator TX to be given away on Saturday, October 29 at 10:00 p.m., after the grand prize drawing.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
How Much Do the Hunters Make?
This seems to be a wildly asked question since the show first aired. So how much will an alligator bring in? Anyone who watches Swamp People knows that alligator hunters care about how much money they make and how fast they can tag out. Sure, they hunt for their love of the land, but they do it for their living, too and I am pretty confident in saying that if they weren't getting paid for it, they more than likely wouldn't do it. With the exception of the easy going Guist brothers, the hunters featured on the show are quick to talk about what makes the difference between a profit and a loss during the one-month alligator season in Louisiana. As the show’s narrator often reminds us, many of these men make half their income for the year from the alligators we see them catch on the show, each one of those tags accounts for a paycheck and each one of the alligators is only worth as much as the weight and the size and quality of the skin. We hear about tags and maps and the quality of an alligator’s skin, as well as the all important question of its size. So how much are these guys really making?
Well its a bit complicated. As it turns out, the Alligator business is pretty volatile. The market fluctuates wildly, and the alligator hunters’ fortunes come and go with it, if they’re not careful. The Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council has all the information (and more!) that you would ever want to know about how to lawfully hunt wild alligators in Louisiana and sell their hides and meat for a profit, but they tell a little bit sweeter of a story about the industry. According to their site, alligator hunting has become steadily more profitable over the years. While skins went for $6/foot in the 1960′s and $9/foot in the early 1980′s, they rose to over $40/foot in the late 1980′s.
What the Louisiana Advisory Council fails to mention is that prices have come down since the late ’80′s, WAY DOWN! One Louisiana newspaper, Vermilion Today, reports that in the 2010 season
“A wild gator that is seven feet or longer sells for around $12 to $15 a foot. A 10-foot gator at $13 per foot will be purchased for $130. When the price was $40 per foot, that same gator was purchased for $400.”
So, according to these estimates, when Troy Landry pulls a 12 foot monster alligator out of the swamp, risking his life and straining his body, he might get up to $180 for a perfect hide. If the gator has lived hard and has the scars to show for it, he’ll get less. And, if there’s a little alligator on his line, he has wasted a precious tag on a hide that won’t bring in enough to cover the cost of catching it.
Hunters can harvest as many alligators as they have alligator tags, but the tags are also regulated and if they don't tag out one year they will lose those tags the following year. So when you hear them being so adamant about tagging out before the end of the alligator season. When you catch a gator, no matter what the size, you have to put one of your tags on it. You can’t cut the little ones loose and save your tags for the big boys. That’s why the hunters get a little disgusted when they put small alligators into the boat; each one takes a tag that could’ve gone on a monster (and earned them a lot more money).
Alligator tags don’t cost anything if you own your own hunting grounds. All you have to do is prove ownership of a piece of land deemed sufficient to sustain alligators, get a $25 Alligator Hunting license, and make an application. The number of tags you’re assigned is based on the size of your land and (if applicable) the number of tags you filled the previous year. So a bad alligator season one year also means fewer tags in the next. Which means a dwindling paycheck for any hunter.
While we’re on the subject of the costs of alligator hunting, don’t forget the equipment, the help you have to hire (or raise), and the time you have to take off of work to be out on the swamp for a month every year. When you add it all up, there’s not much of a margin in Alligator hunting.
But, let’s do the math. The alligator season lasts 30 days, but serious hunters stretch that to 37 days by owning land in both the East and the West regions, since the Western region’s 30 days starts a week later than the Eastern region’s. Troy Landry, who is the big daddy tag-rich King of the Swamp got 320 tags in 2010, but most professional hunters have far fewer. Let’s say our hypothetical hunter has a healthy allotment of 200 tags and property in both regions (for a 37 day season). So, that means, he needs to average 5.5 alligators a day. Let’s also assume that he’s a really skilled hunter and that 1 out every 10 alligators he catches is a 11+ foot monster. Hunting is hunting, though, so we’ll say that 2 out of every 10 is a baby 5-6 footer. Everything else (7 out of 10) is 7-10 feet.
Here’s how that would look: 20 monsters, 40 babies, and 140 respectable gators.
Pricing is also tough to estimate, but I’ll go out on a limb and take an educated guess. The average price for a respectable gator in 2010 was $11-$12 per foot, but monster gators went for $15/foot or more and babies went for a touch less, say $9/foot. So, more math . . .
20 monsters @ 11 feet each x $15/foot=$3300
40 babies @ 6 feet each x $9/foot=$2160
140 respectable gators @ 8 feet each x $12/foot=$13440
That’s a grand total of $18,900. Which isn't too shabby for a month on a boat in the Swamp Lands of Louisiana.
This is the profit off the hides, alone. Besides frying up into a nice dinner, the meat has some value that could also be added to the alligator hunters’ profits. And, of course, the more big gators you get, the more this total goes up. On the other hand, you have to pay for all your equipment and all your help out of this total. I’m guessing you have to pay normal income taxes, too.
The swampers shown are incredibly tough men (and a woman or two) throwing themselves at an incomprehensibly hostile world and wrestling with it until it gives them a living. But the more you watch, the more the similarities evaporate. Alligator hunters,have to either have some other gig or have to live very simply in order to stay in the hunt. RJ Molinere fishes for shrimp and hunts for every sort of game that will turn a profit that lives on his family’s 500 acres. The Landrys own a gas station and buy crawfish from local fisherman. The Guists? Well, they go the “live simply” route and seem to really enjoy their way of life.
I am pretty sure however they are getting a nice cut from whatever History Channel is paying for their appearance on the show.
Well its a bit complicated. As it turns out, the Alligator business is pretty volatile. The market fluctuates wildly, and the alligator hunters’ fortunes come and go with it, if they’re not careful. The Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council has all the information (and more!) that you would ever want to know about how to lawfully hunt wild alligators in Louisiana and sell their hides and meat for a profit, but they tell a little bit sweeter of a story about the industry. According to their site, alligator hunting has become steadily more profitable over the years. While skins went for $6/foot in the 1960′s and $9/foot in the early 1980′s, they rose to over $40/foot in the late 1980′s.
What the Louisiana Advisory Council fails to mention is that prices have come down since the late ’80′s, WAY DOWN! One Louisiana newspaper, Vermilion Today, reports that in the 2010 season
“A wild gator that is seven feet or longer sells for around $12 to $15 a foot. A 10-foot gator at $13 per foot will be purchased for $130. When the price was $40 per foot, that same gator was purchased for $400.”
So, according to these estimates, when Troy Landry pulls a 12 foot monster alligator out of the swamp, risking his life and straining his body, he might get up to $180 for a perfect hide. If the gator has lived hard and has the scars to show for it, he’ll get less. And, if there’s a little alligator on his line, he has wasted a precious tag on a hide that won’t bring in enough to cover the cost of catching it.
Hunters can harvest as many alligators as they have alligator tags, but the tags are also regulated and if they don't tag out one year they will lose those tags the following year. So when you hear them being so adamant about tagging out before the end of the alligator season. When you catch a gator, no matter what the size, you have to put one of your tags on it. You can’t cut the little ones loose and save your tags for the big boys. That’s why the hunters get a little disgusted when they put small alligators into the boat; each one takes a tag that could’ve gone on a monster (and earned them a lot more money).
Alligator tags don’t cost anything if you own your own hunting grounds. All you have to do is prove ownership of a piece of land deemed sufficient to sustain alligators, get a $25 Alligator Hunting license, and make an application. The number of tags you’re assigned is based on the size of your land and (if applicable) the number of tags you filled the previous year. So a bad alligator season one year also means fewer tags in the next. Which means a dwindling paycheck for any hunter.
While we’re on the subject of the costs of alligator hunting, don’t forget the equipment, the help you have to hire (or raise), and the time you have to take off of work to be out on the swamp for a month every year. When you add it all up, there’s not much of a margin in Alligator hunting.
But, let’s do the math. The alligator season lasts 30 days, but serious hunters stretch that to 37 days by owning land in both the East and the West regions, since the Western region’s 30 days starts a week later than the Eastern region’s. Troy Landry, who is the big daddy tag-rich King of the Swamp got 320 tags in 2010, but most professional hunters have far fewer. Let’s say our hypothetical hunter has a healthy allotment of 200 tags and property in both regions (for a 37 day season). So, that means, he needs to average 5.5 alligators a day. Let’s also assume that he’s a really skilled hunter and that 1 out every 10 alligators he catches is a 11+ foot monster. Hunting is hunting, though, so we’ll say that 2 out of every 10 is a baby 5-6 footer. Everything else (7 out of 10) is 7-10 feet.
Here’s how that would look: 20 monsters, 40 babies, and 140 respectable gators.
Pricing is also tough to estimate, but I’ll go out on a limb and take an educated guess. The average price for a respectable gator in 2010 was $11-$12 per foot, but monster gators went for $15/foot or more and babies went for a touch less, say $9/foot. So, more math . . .
20 monsters @ 11 feet each x $15/foot=$3300
40 babies @ 6 feet each x $9/foot=$2160
140 respectable gators @ 8 feet each x $12/foot=$13440
That’s a grand total of $18,900. Which isn't too shabby for a month on a boat in the Swamp Lands of Louisiana.
This is the profit off the hides, alone. Besides frying up into a nice dinner, the meat has some value that could also be added to the alligator hunters’ profits. And, of course, the more big gators you get, the more this total goes up. On the other hand, you have to pay for all your equipment and all your help out of this total. I’m guessing you have to pay normal income taxes, too.
The swampers shown are incredibly tough men (and a woman or two) throwing themselves at an incomprehensibly hostile world and wrestling with it until it gives them a living. But the more you watch, the more the similarities evaporate. Alligator hunters,have to either have some other gig or have to live very simply in order to stay in the hunt. RJ Molinere fishes for shrimp and hunts for every sort of game that will turn a profit that lives on his family’s 500 acres. The Landrys own a gas station and buy crawfish from local fisherman. The Guists? Well, they go the “live simply” route and seem to really enjoy their way of life.
I am pretty sure however they are getting a nice cut from whatever History Channel is paying for their appearance on the show.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Want to try some Alligator cooked to Chef Gordon Ramsay's standards?
So I love a good show as you can tell by this blog. If you have never seen Kitchen Knightmares, Hells Kitchen, Master Chef or The F Word with Gordon Ramsay then you are missing out on one HELL of a show, no pun intended.
Well I was watching Kitchen Knightmares a few nights ago trying to catch up on the seasons episodes when I saw that he had gone to New Orleans, LA for the first time to bring a restaurant back to life and help out a couple whose knowledge in the restaurant business was limited.
Of course I had to watch it being that 1. In New Orleans and 2. Gordon Ramsay had part in it....
Anyways, I thought I would share the restaurant info here in case any of my local neighbors wanted to try it out and give us feedback, I plan on going also...
The name of the restaurant is ZEKE'S, location: 1517 Metairie RoadMetairie, LA 70005
Phone: 504-832-1133
They also have a website with their menu featuring Blackened Alligator.
http://www.eatatzekes.com/
Well I was watching Kitchen Knightmares a few nights ago trying to catch up on the seasons episodes when I saw that he had gone to New Orleans, LA for the first time to bring a restaurant back to life and help out a couple whose knowledge in the restaurant business was limited.
Of course I had to watch it being that 1. In New Orleans and 2. Gordon Ramsay had part in it....
Anyways, I thought I would share the restaurant info here in case any of my local neighbors wanted to try it out and give us feedback, I plan on going also...
The name of the restaurant is ZEKE'S, location: 1517 Metairie RoadMetairie, LA 70005
Phone: 504-832-1133
They also have a website with their menu featuring Blackened Alligator.
http://www.eatatzekes.com/
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A Glimpse of What's to Come in Tomorrow's Episode- Deadly Skies
We don't want to miss tomorrows episode. This one sounds like something not to be missed. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow night at 9/8c on the History Channel.
Here's a snippet of tomorrow's episode.
DEADLY SKIES:
As a severe storm nears Southern Louisiana, the hunters are preparing for the worst. With his sharpshooter Liz still recovering from an injury, Troy and Jacob pit themselves against the gnarly weather. Troy uses an old Cajun strategy, employing a special bait to lure the gators despite the storm. Joe and Tommy are not on the same page. Tommy is looking forward to a day off, but Joe has a different work ethic. Joe is determined to run their lines in any weather, and despite protests, he drags Tommy along with him. R.J. and Jay Paul hunt in territory close to the Gulf--which means the winds are blowing even stronger. But Jay Paul isn't worried. Native Americans put a lot of stock in their dreams...and Jay Paul dreamed about catching a large gator in the storm. While the rest of the swampers head to their lines, Junior and Willie are taking theirs down. Junior is on pace to tag out in time, and he doesn't believe that fighting the storm is worth the money or effort.
Here's a snippet of tomorrow's episode.
DEADLY SKIES:
As a severe storm nears Southern Louisiana, the hunters are preparing for the worst. With his sharpshooter Liz still recovering from an injury, Troy and Jacob pit themselves against the gnarly weather. Troy uses an old Cajun strategy, employing a special bait to lure the gators despite the storm. Joe and Tommy are not on the same page. Tommy is looking forward to a day off, but Joe has a different work ethic. Joe is determined to run their lines in any weather, and despite protests, he drags Tommy along with him. R.J. and Jay Paul hunt in territory close to the Gulf--which means the winds are blowing even stronger. But Jay Paul isn't worried. Native Americans put a lot of stock in their dreams...and Jay Paul dreamed about catching a large gator in the storm. While the rest of the swampers head to their lines, Junior and Willie are taking theirs down. Junior is on pace to tag out in time, and he doesn't believe that fighting the storm is worth the money or effort.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Flooding in New Orleans....
I hope this won't effect the alligator population for the nearing season in September for the local alligator hunters and the ones who hunt in the Atchafalya River basin.
Mississippi River flooding in New Orleans area could be massive if Morganza spillway stays closed
The Times-Picayune By Mark Schleifstein
If the Morganza Floodway is not opened to funnel 300,000 cubic feet per second of water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya River basin, the additional water could cause levees to fail along the river from Morganza to Plaquemines Parish, including all of the New Orleans area, resulting in as much as 25 feet of floodwater, according to a map provided to state officials by the Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday.
More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Enlarge Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Mississippi River water pours through the Bonnet Carre Spillway structure in Norco Tuesday, May 10, 2011. The spillway diverts water from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. Aerials over the Mississippi River and Bonnet Carre Spillway Tuesday, May 10, 2011 gallery (21 photos)
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The worst-case scenario obtained by The Times-Picayune is part of the risk assessment conducted this week by corps officials in support of opening the floodway. The combination of water from the floodway and from the Old River Control Structure just upriver of Morganza pouring into the Atchafalaya basin will flood a large swath of mostly unpopulated land.
It will also threaten Morgan City, Houma and several smaller communities.
Ironically, much of the Atchafalaya Basin would still flood if the spillway is not opened, according to the new map, because the Old River Control Structure will be sending twice as much water from the Mississippi into the basin as it normally does. Meanwhile, the river will still overtop the relatively low Morganza floodway structure even if it's not opened, and several other levee failures could occur between Morganza and Baton Rouge.
chart-morganza-051111.jpgView full size
Corps Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, president of the Mississippi River Commission and commander of all corps districts along the river, has strongly hinted that he will approve opening the Morganza Floodway sometime between Friday and Tuesday. That's when the rate of water moving past Red River Landing, across from the Louisiana State Prison at Angola, will reach 1.5 million cubic feet per second, which is the official trigger for opening the spillway.
During a news conference in Baton Rouge, Gov. Bobby Jindal said he expects Walsh to order the opening of the spillway. He urged residents in affected areas to prepare for evacuations if called for by their local elected leaders.
High Water
Enlarge John McCusker, The Times-Picayune John McCusker/The Times-Picayune The high water on the Mississippi River around New Orleans inspires many different reactions and activities Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Raymond Cooper caught this giant catfish while fishing the flooded batture. Mississippi River in New Orleans gallery (13 photos)
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
"Based on various inundation maps, you're looking at roughly 3 million acres that will be impacted, be underwater," when the floodway opens, Jindal said. "That includes about 18,000 acres of cropland just within the Atchafalaya basin."
According to census data, about 2,500 people inside the floodway, including residents of Melville, Butte Larose and Krotz Springs, could be surrounded by water, and another 22,500 people and 11,000 structures will be affected by some flooding, Jindal said.
Jindal said it will take about three days from the opening of the floodway until the first water from Morganza reaches Morgan City, which already is experiencing high water from the Old River Control Structure.
Serious flooding also is expected in parts of northern Louisiana as rivers and streams that normally flow unimpeded into the Mississippi have begun to back up. No rivers or streams enter the Mississippi in south Louisiana.
Too close for comfort
The National Weather Service has predicted that at its crest, 1.9 million cubic feet per second of water will flow past the Red River Landing if the floodway is not opened.
That would result in a crest of 19.5 feet at the Carrollton Gauge in New Orleans, which is 2.5 feet above official flood stage and just 6 inches below the top of floodwalls.
map2-morganza-051111.jpgView full size
The new corps map assumes that such a high water level could result in multiple failures of earthen levees, floodwalls or other structures along the river, said Walter Baumy, chief of engineering for the corps' New Orleans office.
The record high water levels also would cause a dramatic disruption to business in the Port of New Orleans and elsewhere along the river in the New Orleans area, said Bob Turner, executive director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.
"With a stage at Carrollton of 19.5 feet, we would have to close most of the floodgates along the Mississippi River levee within our jurisdiction," he said. "The port, Public Belt Railroad, recreational areas like the Audubon Aquarium and the Butterfly Park would have to close."
More significant, though, would be the unknown effects on the levees, Turner said.
"We have a good bit of experience dealing with seepage and sand boils, saturated soil conditions when the river stages are around 17 feet," he said. "Once the river gets over 17.5 feet, I don't know that we've got a lot of experience dealing with those same issues. Seepage and sand boils, that uncertainty gives us some concern. My gut is if it gets higher, it's going to be more difficult to keep those things under control."
Even if the river doesn't go much over 17 feet at New Orleans, a level reached at noon Tuesday, levee officials will be keeping careful watch when the river begins to drop, now not expected until mid-June, Turner said.
"If the river begins to fall rapidly, we could have incidents where saturated levees slide into the river," he said.
Laying bare the risks
Baumy emphasized that the no-Morganza map was not designed with the public in mind, but rather to help corps engineers plan better.
"The maps were done in a day or two, as we were trying to assess risk to show, here's the options on the table and here's some things to think about," he said.
For instance, while the color code on the map shows the possibility of 20 to 25 feet of water occurring from Kenner through New Orleans if levees were to fail, elevations vary dramatically within that area.
And while the map indicates flooding all along the east side of the river from Simmesport to New Orleans, it is not meant to indicate all of that area would be flooded, Baumy said. Rather, the colors indicate the highest water level possible if the levee were overtopped or breached in those areas. The corps would not expect all segments of the levee system to fail, he said.
State agencies already are scrambling to prepare for flooding in the Atchafalaya basin and in northern flood areas, Jindal said, saying 500 additional National Guard troops have been deployed.
The National Guard has set up liaison teams in 19 parishes and assigned troops to work with corps teams and the Coast Guard.
The state also is rounding up thousands of feet of Hesco basket, fiber and metal baskets that are filled with rock and dirt to create temporary levees.
Evacuation guidelines
Spillway fly over Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Spillway fly over Tuesday, May 10, 2011 The Army Corps of Engineers opened an additional 44 bays of the Bonnet Spillway structure Tuesday, May 10, 2011 to divert water from a rapidly rising Mississippi River. The spillway was last opened in 2008 for 28 days. Watch video
Catahoula, Point Coupee and Iberia parishes have begun issuing evacuation orders from some localities, while others, including St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, West Baton Rouge, Assumption and Ascension, have issued voluntary evacuation recommendations to residents and businesses in expected flood areas.
Jindal also is lobbying federal officials to upgrade their treatment of the potential flooding as a national disaster. FEMA has agreed to provide direct federal assistance to 22 parishes, but the disaster agency has not agreed to let the state bill the federal government for its costs in flood fighting.
In a Monday letter to President Barack Obama, Jindal said the state has estimated its costs for the first 30 days to be at least $80 million, including $20 million the Department of Child and Family Services will need for shelters.
Jindal also has asked the Defense Department to reimburse the state for National Guard mobilization because the Morganza Floodway is part of the national floodway system.
Agriculture & Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain also asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday to consider the floodway opening to be a natural disaster, which would make farmers eligible for federal assistance.
Meanwhile, at Montz, an additional 44 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway were opened Tuesday, increasing the number of bays opened to 72. The spillway has 350 bays.
The action will increase the flow of water to about 70,000 cubic feet per second, according to spillway manager Chris Brantley. Another 38 bays could be opened today.
When fully open, the spillway diverts 250,000 cubic feet of water per second into Lake Pontchartrain.
Mississippi River flooding in New Orleans area could be massive if Morganza spillway stays closed
The Times-Picayune By Mark Schleifstein
If the Morganza Floodway is not opened to funnel 300,000 cubic feet per second of water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya River basin, the additional water could cause levees to fail along the river from Morganza to Plaquemines Parish, including all of the New Orleans area, resulting in as much as 25 feet of floodwater, according to a map provided to state officials by the Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday.
More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Enlarge Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Mississippi River water pours through the Bonnet Carre Spillway structure in Norco Tuesday, May 10, 2011. The spillway diverts water from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. Aerials over the Mississippi River and Bonnet Carre Spillway Tuesday, May 10, 2011 gallery (21 photos)
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
* More Bonnet Carre Spillway bays opened Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The worst-case scenario obtained by The Times-Picayune is part of the risk assessment conducted this week by corps officials in support of opening the floodway. The combination of water from the floodway and from the Old River Control Structure just upriver of Morganza pouring into the Atchafalaya basin will flood a large swath of mostly unpopulated land.
It will also threaten Morgan City, Houma and several smaller communities.
Ironically, much of the Atchafalaya Basin would still flood if the spillway is not opened, according to the new map, because the Old River Control Structure will be sending twice as much water from the Mississippi into the basin as it normally does. Meanwhile, the river will still overtop the relatively low Morganza floodway structure even if it's not opened, and several other levee failures could occur between Morganza and Baton Rouge.
chart-morganza-051111.jpgView full size
Corps Maj. Gen. Michael Walsh, president of the Mississippi River Commission and commander of all corps districts along the river, has strongly hinted that he will approve opening the Morganza Floodway sometime between Friday and Tuesday. That's when the rate of water moving past Red River Landing, across from the Louisiana State Prison at Angola, will reach 1.5 million cubic feet per second, which is the official trigger for opening the spillway.
During a news conference in Baton Rouge, Gov. Bobby Jindal said he expects Walsh to order the opening of the spillway. He urged residents in affected areas to prepare for evacuations if called for by their local elected leaders.
High Water
Enlarge John McCusker, The Times-Picayune John McCusker/The Times-Picayune The high water on the Mississippi River around New Orleans inspires many different reactions and activities Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Raymond Cooper caught this giant catfish while fishing the flooded batture. Mississippi River in New Orleans gallery (13 photos)
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
* High Water
"Based on various inundation maps, you're looking at roughly 3 million acres that will be impacted, be underwater," when the floodway opens, Jindal said. "That includes about 18,000 acres of cropland just within the Atchafalaya basin."
According to census data, about 2,500 people inside the floodway, including residents of Melville, Butte Larose and Krotz Springs, could be surrounded by water, and another 22,500 people and 11,000 structures will be affected by some flooding, Jindal said.
Jindal said it will take about three days from the opening of the floodway until the first water from Morganza reaches Morgan City, which already is experiencing high water from the Old River Control Structure.
Serious flooding also is expected in parts of northern Louisiana as rivers and streams that normally flow unimpeded into the Mississippi have begun to back up. No rivers or streams enter the Mississippi in south Louisiana.
Too close for comfort
The National Weather Service has predicted that at its crest, 1.9 million cubic feet per second of water will flow past the Red River Landing if the floodway is not opened.
That would result in a crest of 19.5 feet at the Carrollton Gauge in New Orleans, which is 2.5 feet above official flood stage and just 6 inches below the top of floodwalls.
map2-morganza-051111.jpgView full size
The new corps map assumes that such a high water level could result in multiple failures of earthen levees, floodwalls or other structures along the river, said Walter Baumy, chief of engineering for the corps' New Orleans office.
The record high water levels also would cause a dramatic disruption to business in the Port of New Orleans and elsewhere along the river in the New Orleans area, said Bob Turner, executive director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East.
"With a stage at Carrollton of 19.5 feet, we would have to close most of the floodgates along the Mississippi River levee within our jurisdiction," he said. "The port, Public Belt Railroad, recreational areas like the Audubon Aquarium and the Butterfly Park would have to close."
More significant, though, would be the unknown effects on the levees, Turner said.
"We have a good bit of experience dealing with seepage and sand boils, saturated soil conditions when the river stages are around 17 feet," he said. "Once the river gets over 17.5 feet, I don't know that we've got a lot of experience dealing with those same issues. Seepage and sand boils, that uncertainty gives us some concern. My gut is if it gets higher, it's going to be more difficult to keep those things under control."
Even if the river doesn't go much over 17 feet at New Orleans, a level reached at noon Tuesday, levee officials will be keeping careful watch when the river begins to drop, now not expected until mid-June, Turner said.
"If the river begins to fall rapidly, we could have incidents where saturated levees slide into the river," he said.
Laying bare the risks
Baumy emphasized that the no-Morganza map was not designed with the public in mind, but rather to help corps engineers plan better.
"The maps were done in a day or two, as we were trying to assess risk to show, here's the options on the table and here's some things to think about," he said.
For instance, while the color code on the map shows the possibility of 20 to 25 feet of water occurring from Kenner through New Orleans if levees were to fail, elevations vary dramatically within that area.
And while the map indicates flooding all along the east side of the river from Simmesport to New Orleans, it is not meant to indicate all of that area would be flooded, Baumy said. Rather, the colors indicate the highest water level possible if the levee were overtopped or breached in those areas. The corps would not expect all segments of the levee system to fail, he said.
State agencies already are scrambling to prepare for flooding in the Atchafalaya basin and in northern flood areas, Jindal said, saying 500 additional National Guard troops have been deployed.
The National Guard has set up liaison teams in 19 parishes and assigned troops to work with corps teams and the Coast Guard.
The state also is rounding up thousands of feet of Hesco basket, fiber and metal baskets that are filled with rock and dirt to create temporary levees.
Evacuation guidelines
Spillway fly over Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Spillway fly over Tuesday, May 10, 2011 The Army Corps of Engineers opened an additional 44 bays of the Bonnet Spillway structure Tuesday, May 10, 2011 to divert water from a rapidly rising Mississippi River. The spillway was last opened in 2008 for 28 days. Watch video
Catahoula, Point Coupee and Iberia parishes have begun issuing evacuation orders from some localities, while others, including St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, West Baton Rouge, Assumption and Ascension, have issued voluntary evacuation recommendations to residents and businesses in expected flood areas.
Jindal also is lobbying federal officials to upgrade their treatment of the potential flooding as a national disaster. FEMA has agreed to provide direct federal assistance to 22 parishes, but the disaster agency has not agreed to let the state bill the federal government for its costs in flood fighting.
In a Monday letter to President Barack Obama, Jindal said the state has estimated its costs for the first 30 days to be at least $80 million, including $20 million the Department of Child and Family Services will need for shelters.
Jindal also has asked the Defense Department to reimburse the state for National Guard mobilization because the Morganza Floodway is part of the national floodway system.
Agriculture & Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain also asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday to consider the floodway opening to be a natural disaster, which would make farmers eligible for federal assistance.
Meanwhile, at Montz, an additional 44 bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway were opened Tuesday, increasing the number of bays opened to 72. The spillway has 350 bays.
The action will increase the flow of water to about 70,000 cubic feet per second, according to spillway manager Chris Brantley. Another 38 bays could be opened today.
When fully open, the spillway diverts 250,000 cubic feet of water per second into Lake Pontchartrain.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
For all the ones who missed tonights episode....
If you missed tonight's episode don't fret it will be available on HistoryChannel.com tomorrow. Here is a short summary of tonight's episode.
"After a rough start to the season, Troy is back in the groove, and on pace to fill his 320 tags. His new sharpshooter Liz has been a large part of his success. But on the swamp, things can change in a heartbeat. During a capture, Liz is injured...and Troy's momentum is suddenly in doubt. Bruce has always hunted solo in the swamp. That's the way he likes it. But today, he's not alone because he's hired a greenhorn named Nick, a local kid who wants learn the craft from a master. But, learning gator hunting isn't easy, and before long, the kid makes a mistake that could cost Bruce his season. So far, Joe and Tommy have had ups and downs this season. However, when the duo comes up against a massive cannibal, the team gels in its pursuit of the aggressive monster. Deep in the swamp, the Guist Brothers are busy making ends meet. With the food supply low, rabbit is on the menu. The brothers set out on the hunt, but they don't have a hunting dog. Glenn decides to take the job."
If you were one of the lucky ones to watch tonight post what you though of the episode and share with others why you enjoy watching the Swamp People hard at work on the dirty swamp waters of Louisiana.
"After a rough start to the season, Troy is back in the groove, and on pace to fill his 320 tags. His new sharpshooter Liz has been a large part of his success. But on the swamp, things can change in a heartbeat. During a capture, Liz is injured...and Troy's momentum is suddenly in doubt. Bruce has always hunted solo in the swamp. That's the way he likes it. But today, he's not alone because he's hired a greenhorn named Nick, a local kid who wants learn the craft from a master. But, learning gator hunting isn't easy, and before long, the kid makes a mistake that could cost Bruce his season. So far, Joe and Tommy have had ups and downs this season. However, when the duo comes up against a massive cannibal, the team gels in its pursuit of the aggressive monster. Deep in the swamp, the Guist Brothers are busy making ends meet. With the food supply low, rabbit is on the menu. The brothers set out on the hunt, but they don't have a hunting dog. Glenn decides to take the job."
If you were one of the lucky ones to watch tonight post what you though of the episode and share with others why you enjoy watching the Swamp People hard at work on the dirty swamp waters of Louisiana.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Some people shouldn't carry a gun....
If you caught tonights episode you witnessed all of Junior's bad shots. Clipping Willie under the eye and his arm along with sending shrapnel to their other comrades hand. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, Junior's weakness is gun shot aim. Luckily for Willie his mom is the on call doctor and quickly helps him get the lead out from under his eye, but after the attempt on getting the chunk out of his arm he has enough and opts for waiting to remove it.
Poor Troy isn't having much luck and his gator season isn't looking to bright. Troy seems to think it's because Clint isn't helping him anymore and tries to win Clint over but Clint kindly refuses due to him having to work on getting his own business started. Troy was very understanding, but it is a let down for him because he has a ton of tags to fill before the end of the season.
I sincerely hope they can get their season going with no hitches but only time will tell and if you know anything about alligator hunting you know time isn't a luxury these swamp men have.
Poor Troy isn't having much luck and his gator season isn't looking to bright. Troy seems to think it's because Clint isn't helping him anymore and tries to win Clint over but Clint kindly refuses due to him having to work on getting his own business started. Troy was very understanding, but it is a let down for him because he has a ton of tags to fill before the end of the season.
I sincerely hope they can get their season going with no hitches but only time will tell and if you know anything about alligator hunting you know time isn't a luxury these swamp men have.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Who caught the series premier last night?
Swamp People seems to always leave you begging for more and they didn't disappoint last night with the series premier. If you were unable to watch it last night it should be available at History.com soon. Here's a short summary of last nights show.
Gator Gauntlet
As a new gator season begins in Southern Louisiana, hunters across the state return to the swamp with more on the line than ever before. Legendary Gator Hunter Troy Landry is back with his son Jacob. For Joe and Tommy, they have one goal in mind--to set new records. The duo hopes their trusty "shake and bake" bait seasoning will bring in more gators. Junior Edwards and son Willie have more tags than ever before. To accommodate the increase in tags, Junior's team begins their hunt with a much larger boat. But immediately, its size causes problems. When the sun sets and the gator hunters head home, Terral Evans is just getting started. There are many different jobs in the swamp, but Terral plies an unusual trade. Terral's a gator wrangler--when an alligator needs to be captured alive, he's the man to call. At night, when the nocturnal gators come to life, Terral grabs them from the water alive using only his bare hands, risking life and limb with every catch.
Gator Gauntlet
As a new gator season begins in Southern Louisiana, hunters across the state return to the swamp with more on the line than ever before. Legendary Gator Hunter Troy Landry is back with his son Jacob. For Joe and Tommy, they have one goal in mind--to set new records. The duo hopes their trusty "shake and bake" bait seasoning will bring in more gators. Junior Edwards and son Willie have more tags than ever before. To accommodate the increase in tags, Junior's team begins their hunt with a much larger boat. But immediately, its size causes problems. When the sun sets and the gator hunters head home, Terral Evans is just getting started. There are many different jobs in the swamp, but Terral plies an unusual trade. Terral's a gator wrangler--when an alligator needs to be captured alive, he's the man to call. At night, when the nocturnal gators come to life, Terral grabs them from the water alive using only his bare hands, risking life and limb with every catch.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Rumors are........
According to rumors, Swamp People will be returning with new episodes March 31st. They have episodes coming on March 3rd and March 10th both are re-runs. But don't get disappointed because they will be back at the end of the month with a new season and we are all very anxious.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Pierre Part gets put on the map thanks to Troy
Troy Landry of Pierre Part, Louisiana gains celebrity status in south Louisiana.
Landry is one of several stars on The History Channel's new series. "Swamp People" is a documentary television series that follows Cajuns living in the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin. The series premiered August 22.
Landry said the people from The History Channel first went to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries looking for information on alligator hunting.
"When they finished getting their information, they asked the guys if they knew anyone who they could go out in a boat with and take pictures of the swamp," Landry said.
One of Landry's friends works for Wildlife and Fisheries and gave the representatives his information.
"He called me right after they left his office and said 'man, t-buddy I hope you not mad at me, but I gave some people your name and phone number,'" Landry said. "I wanted to help out my buddy, so I figured I would do this favor for him."
Landry said he had no idea that The History Channel was planning on making a TV series.
"The more I talked to them, the more I realized that they wanted to make a show out of this and pay me for it," Landry said. "I said well shit, I had to catch the alligators anyhow, so why not let them help me to pay for it?"
Since its premiere, "Swamp People" has been the talk of not only south Louisiana, but also the whole nation. The show has set the ratings record for The History Channel.
"I really never thought the show would be as popular as it is," Landry said. "I figured the little kids would like it, but even the old people like it. The kids, the momma, the daddy, the maw maw and the paw paw all like the show. Everyone I talk to loves it. It shocked me. I didn't think a lot of people would like it this much."
Landry says that things have definitely changed since the beginning of the show.
"I used to be able to go to the grocery store and back in five minutes," Landry said. "Now it takes me an hour and a half. Everybody I meet wants to talk about the show and how much they like it. I really enjoy it, though."
Landry's favorite part about the show is the attention that he gets from the children.
"They actually love the show," Landry said. "When I meet them somewhere, the first thing they say is 'Is that the alligator man? Are you the man on TV?' Sometimes I kid with them and say 'Oh no, that's my brother!' but they know better."
The first season of "Swamp People" focused solely on alligator hunting. Landry said that The History Channel plans on mixing things up with other subjects such as crawfishing in the next seasons.
Landry often says in the show that he "lives off of the land." He is currently building a new house for his family that contains no drywall. The interior of the house is made entirely of salvaged wood that he collected from the swamp himself.
Landry says that he plans to be a part of the show for as long as he can. "I hope they like me being on the show, so as long as they want me there, I guess I'll be on it."
Landry is one of several stars on The History Channel's new series. "Swamp People" is a documentary television series that follows Cajuns living in the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin. The series premiered August 22.
Landry said the people from The History Channel first went to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries looking for information on alligator hunting.
"When they finished getting their information, they asked the guys if they knew anyone who they could go out in a boat with and take pictures of the swamp," Landry said.
One of Landry's friends works for Wildlife and Fisheries and gave the representatives his information.
"He called me right after they left his office and said 'man, t-buddy I hope you not mad at me, but I gave some people your name and phone number,'" Landry said. "I wanted to help out my buddy, so I figured I would do this favor for him."
Landry said he had no idea that The History Channel was planning on making a TV series.
"The more I talked to them, the more I realized that they wanted to make a show out of this and pay me for it," Landry said. "I said well shit, I had to catch the alligators anyhow, so why not let them help me to pay for it?"
Since its premiere, "Swamp People" has been the talk of not only south Louisiana, but also the whole nation. The show has set the ratings record for The History Channel.
"I really never thought the show would be as popular as it is," Landry said. "I figured the little kids would like it, but even the old people like it. The kids, the momma, the daddy, the maw maw and the paw paw all like the show. Everyone I talk to loves it. It shocked me. I didn't think a lot of people would like it this much."
Landry says that things have definitely changed since the beginning of the show.
"I used to be able to go to the grocery store and back in five minutes," Landry said. "Now it takes me an hour and a half. Everybody I meet wants to talk about the show and how much they like it. I really enjoy it, though."
Landry's favorite part about the show is the attention that he gets from the children.
"They actually love the show," Landry said. "When I meet them somewhere, the first thing they say is 'Is that the alligator man? Are you the man on TV?' Sometimes I kid with them and say 'Oh no, that's my brother!' but they know better."
The first season of "Swamp People" focused solely on alligator hunting. Landry said that The History Channel plans on mixing things up with other subjects such as crawfishing in the next seasons.
Landry often says in the show that he "lives off of the land." He is currently building a new house for his family that contains no drywall. The interior of the house is made entirely of salvaged wood that he collected from the swamp himself.
Landry says that he plans to be a part of the show for as long as he can. "I hope they like me being on the show, so as long as they want me there, I guess I'll be on it."
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tonights Upcoming show 10/9 c
Force of Nature
Premiere Date: 09/19/2010
A cold spell is coming, one that could drive gators into early hibernation, ending the season early. It's a race against time as every gator hunter in the gulf tries to beat the storm. TVPG V-L
Sounds like an interesting episode tonight, can't wait to watch it!
Sounds like an interesting episode tonight, can't wait to watch it!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Why We Like It
Swamp People is a pretty interesting reality show that focuses on the lives of the people who live in the swamps of Louisiana. Some people who hate the swamps start having creepy feelings when they even get to hear about people that are actually living in the swamps. The persons who live in the swamps "swamp people" feel it quite normal and easy to live there.
What you see on the show Swamp People is also pretty interesting and the people get to see how weapons were made by the master hunter and his eldest son Willie. They also created some hooks that most of the people might not have seen. These hooks looked to be made for hunting some swamp animals. The show Swamp People has gained a lot of popularity among the people because the life in a swamp is pretty interesting and not a very well known territory. The people living in swamps have a completely different life style as compared to the people living in the cities and even the villages. The people of the cities are amazed to see the life of the swamp and the challenges that the people living there have to face. Most are shocked to think people would actually choose to live a life like that but for swamp people it is all they have ever known. No one just moves to the swamps to live there, it is a lifestyle that they have grown up in, its all the swamp people know and that's how they know to live. Hunting alligators is part of that well known lifestyle it is a way of living.
One episode of Swamp People also showed Joe going to the marshlands along with his son. These swamps are some of the most dangerous places in the world and a person has to be very careful in moving through these places. The fans of the Swamp People series are pretty excited to see the upcoming episodes of the show and to see what lies ahead for the swamp people of Louisiana.
What you see on the show Swamp People is also pretty interesting and the people get to see how weapons were made by the master hunter and his eldest son Willie. They also created some hooks that most of the people might not have seen. These hooks looked to be made for hunting some swamp animals. The show Swamp People has gained a lot of popularity among the people because the life in a swamp is pretty interesting and not a very well known territory. The people living in swamps have a completely different life style as compared to the people living in the cities and even the villages. The people of the cities are amazed to see the life of the swamp and the challenges that the people living there have to face. Most are shocked to think people would actually choose to live a life like that but for swamp people it is all they have ever known. No one just moves to the swamps to live there, it is a lifestyle that they have grown up in, its all the swamp people know and that's how they know to live. Hunting alligators is part of that well known lifestyle it is a way of living.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Cannibal Gator 9/12/2010 10/9c
Cannibal Gator
Premiere Date: 09/12/2010 10/9c
Catch the latest episode tomorrow night of Swamp People. Sounds like this episode will be interesting and it sounds like their season may be nearing the end of the 1 month allotment. I can't wait to watch it! Let everyone here know what you thought of the episode as I will put my two sense in on it after I have watched it.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Swamp People
So now there is a reality show on the History Channel called Swamp People. This show depicts life as an alligator hunter in the swamps of Louisiana. So I bet your wondering, why would you hunt an alligator? I asked the same thing a few years back before I moved to swamp territory. Simply put, they hunt alligators to lower the population, for the alligator meat (yes, people actually eat the stuff. Supposedly it tastes like chicken), and they hunt and sell them for the alligators skin. For one month out of the year people are allowed to hunt alligators. The state of Louisiana issues tags for the hunters, every alligator killed no matter the weight or length has to be tagged, once you are out of tags that's the end of the season for you. The heavier and longer the alligator is, the more it is worth. It was said on the first airing of the show that a hunter can make half a years salary from one month out hunting alligators.
Now you're probably sitting around wondering how to get your hands on a boat and some swamp get-up, but don't go dashing to the swamps yet. This definitely isn't a job for everyone. Alligator hunting is very dangerous but is also needed to keep the population down. If it wasn't for the hunters places like, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi would be over ran with these sharp toothed prowlers. Like I said though not a job for everyone, you need to have your wits about you when wrestling one of these creatures, watch out for the strong chompers and whipping tale, they can be huge and definitely angry when you enter their domain. Don't get knocked out of your boat either, then you will be facing alligator infested waters along with all the venomous and deadly water snakes. Hey, nobody said making money was easy.
If you saw the first episode of Swamp people you caught how a father and step-son exited their boat to find the hooked alligator, the step son went to shoot the alligator as the alligator was racing towards them, he fired and missed and fired again only to discover there were no bullets left. Now that right there is a situation you don't want to find yourself in. Facing an alligator without something to defend yourself with is a sure fire way to get really hurt or possible killed.
So how do they hook them? Well, alligators love rotting meat, yep good old rotting, stinking, raw meat. The smellier the better. An alligator can get a whiff of the rotting meat from quite a ways away and come right to it, when they go to swallow the meat, they get hooked. When the hunters make their way back to the traps they will pull the lines while someone else is standing by ready to shoot. A sure way to kill a gator is a shot right square on the head. Hey, I never said it would be pretty either.
To obtain a license to hunt alligators will cost $25 for a resident of Louisiana and $150 for non Louisiana residents. As found on the Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council site states:
An alligator hunter license applicant must submit the following:
There are a reported 1.5 million alligators located in the state of Louisiana. Now you see the need for harvesting, right? Louisiana alligator hunters currently harvest over 33,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 280,000 farm-raised alligators annually. Raw meat and hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $33 million for the farm harvest in 2005. (Note these values consist of raw meat and hides only and are not reflective of hide values after tanning and product manufacturing, values associated with jobs, tourism, economy, etc. or egg values.)
There is way more to it then what the show Swamp People depicts. It is definitely a good show just to give you an idea of what life is like in the swamp lands of Louisiana.
Now you're probably sitting around wondering how to get your hands on a boat and some swamp get-up, but don't go dashing to the swamps yet. This definitely isn't a job for everyone. Alligator hunting is very dangerous but is also needed to keep the population down. If it wasn't for the hunters places like, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi would be over ran with these sharp toothed prowlers. Like I said though not a job for everyone, you need to have your wits about you when wrestling one of these creatures, watch out for the strong chompers and whipping tale, they can be huge and definitely angry when you enter their domain. Don't get knocked out of your boat either, then you will be facing alligator infested waters along with all the venomous and deadly water snakes. Hey, nobody said making money was easy.
If you saw the first episode of Swamp people you caught how a father and step-son exited their boat to find the hooked alligator, the step son went to shoot the alligator as the alligator was racing towards them, he fired and missed and fired again only to discover there were no bullets left. Now that right there is a situation you don't want to find yourself in. Facing an alligator without something to defend yourself with is a sure fire way to get really hurt or possible killed.
So how do they hook them? Well, alligators love rotting meat, yep good old rotting, stinking, raw meat. The smellier the better. An alligator can get a whiff of the rotting meat from quite a ways away and come right to it, when they go to swallow the meat, they get hooked. When the hunters make their way back to the traps they will pull the lines while someone else is standing by ready to shoot. A sure way to kill a gator is a shot right square on the head. Hey, I never said it would be pretty either.
To obtain a license to hunt alligators will cost $25 for a resident of Louisiana and $150 for non Louisiana residents. As found on the Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council site states:
An alligator hunter license applicant must submit the following:
- a completed alligator hunter license application form including the hunter’s information (name, dob, ss#, etc.),
- proof of property ownership (tax receipts or bill of sale) containing Parish, Township, Range, Section and acreage information,
- a map outlining the property to be hunted, and
- a landowner’s signature indicating permission for the hunter to harvest alligators on the property.
- If applicable a legal alligator hunting lease may be submitted.
People not possessing or having permission to hunt alligators on property can harvest alligators as an alligator sport hunter while accompanied by a guide. A guide must be an alligator hunter possessing tags. Alligator Sport Hunter License cost $25 for Louisiana residents and $150 for non-residents.
There are a reported 1.5 million alligators located in the state of Louisiana. Now you see the need for harvesting, right? Louisiana alligator hunters currently harvest over 33,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 280,000 farm-raised alligators annually. Raw meat and hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $33 million for the farm harvest in 2005. (Note these values consist of raw meat and hides only and are not reflective of hide values after tanning and product manufacturing, values associated with jobs, tourism, economy, etc. or egg values.)
There is way more to it then what the show Swamp People depicts. It is definitely a good show just to give you an idea of what life is like in the swamp lands of Louisiana.
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