Mississippi hunters kill record-breaking alligator

MISSISSIPPI: Hunters have successfully taken down the longest alligator ever discovered in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks (MDWFP) has reported that the alligator measured over 4.3 meters (14 feet 3 inches) in length and weighing 364 kilograms (57 stone).

The report said that the male alligator was “harvested” from the Yazoo River, setting a new state record for its size. The MDWFP congratulated the four individuals responsible for hunting the creature: Tanner White, Don Woods, Will Thomas, and Joey Clark.

The pictures shared on social media showed the hunters measuring the enormous alligator, its massive head turned towards the camera.

An alligator captured in Mississippi was more than 14 feet long and weighed 802.5 pounds. – Facebook screengrab from Red Antler Processing pic.twitter.com/EPhJDOYpJb

— John Gross (@JohnGro79925631) August 30, 2023

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Hunter Don Woods stated that the effort to catch and kill the alligator lasted for seven hours through the night.

“During this time, the intense struggle resulted in breaking multiple fishing lines,” Woods added.

Meanwhile, Woods further said that the alligator controlled their actions during the ordeal, making the process mentally and physically exhausting. He said that despite the challenges, the adrenaline-fueled efforts of the hunters prevailed and the successful capture occurred at the beginning of Mississippi’s hunting season, a 10-day period where permit holders are authorised to hunt a specific number of alligators in the designated areas.

However, in the 2021 season, 776 alligators were killed, and an additional 1,581 were caught and released, as reported by the MDWFP.

Mississippi is home to a substantial alligator population, and although these creatures generally avoid humans, occasional incidents occur where they venture into unexpected places such as ditches, backyards, swimming pools, and even buildings.

While alligators are typically not aggressive toward humans, unlike crocodiles, concerns have been raised by the daily Clarion Ledger about incidents involving attacks on dogs and potential risks to individuals. Unlike crocodiles, alligators typically inhabit freshwater marshes, displaying distinct differences in size and jaw structure.