Louisiana Swampers Face Challenges in Gator Tag Renewal Season
The stakes are high for gator hunters in Louisiana as a new season brings a significant challenge: renewal of gator tags. According to the History Channel series Swamp People, approximately 350 prime gator tags are up for grabs, but securing them requires hunters to land the biggest alligators. Landowners are prioritizing those with the largest average catch, putting immense pressure on the swampers to deliver.
Wednesday’s episode of Swamp People showcased the unpredictable nature of the Louisiana bayou and the lengths hunters are going to fill their tags. The unpredictable waters are forcing hunters to take bigger risks and venture into the deepest parts of the swamp.
Troy Landry, a veteran gator hunter, spent time with Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat, offering her a test of her skills. Landry planned to assist a friend with a wild hog problem, and Pickle eagerly sought to join, despite it meaning a nearly 24-hour workday. She successfully tracked down a 250-pound feral hog, demonstrating her dedication.
Pickle received unexpected assistance from Jacob Landry and “Little Willie” Edwards, who volunteered to team up with her, ensuring she wouldn’t have to navigate the waters alone. The team experienced success, including catching an eight-foot alligator, and ultimately managed to complete their task. Pickle expressed gratitude for Willie’s help, acknowledging she might not have succeeded without him.
Jacob Landry faced his own challenges while hunting alone, realizing the difficulty of securing large gators without assistance. He successfully landed a 10-footer and later a 12-footer, culminating in a celebratory pork dinner for the Landry family.
Elsewhere, Don Brewer and Calum Landry, Troy’s nephew, encountered difficulties during a slow run. They sought a location known for large alligators but required Troy’s airboat to access it. Navigating the narrow waterways proved challenging, and they experienced a damaged blade, causing costly delays. Despite the setbacks, they managed to secure some catches before returning.
Daniel Edgar and Zak Catchem struggled with a suspected “bull gator” that had broken their lines and damaged their gear. Bull gators, known for claiming new territory, presented a formidable challenge. After several attempts, they successfully caught a massive 13-foot “Terminator” gator.
Leron Jones and Anthony “Porkchop” Williams opted for a traditional approach, using a pirogue – a flat-bottom boat historically used by explorers like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. This method required them to offload their catch onto another boat. While navigating a remote cove, they nearly capsized but managed to secure a 10-foot alligator. They secured the gator with a life jacket for the return trip, acknowledging the grueling nature of the journey and suggesting it would likely be their first and last time using the pirogue.
Swamp People airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the History Channel.
