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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Bustabeak on May 23, 2023, 10:36:10 PM

Title: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on May 23, 2023, 10:36:10 PM
We have an alligator quota drawing every year in Georgia. I was fortunate after 6 years to finally draw a tag. Never imagined I'd be able to harvest this big fella. He was 11'2". I honestly went in hoping for 8' and would have been completely elated with that! My buddy Steven was able to tag along and video it for me. Can't wait to do it again! I've got the hide at a tannery and my goal is to eventually have some
Boots made out of the hide. I took my skull to a guy here in Georgia, skull millworks and had a metallic coating painted over the European mount. The skull was 24" long itself. It was a great experience.

Watch the  video here! https://youtu.be/JZbW7_eocyM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230524/7e6b0ac42d2d9a4728e6490a0a12e0a2.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230524/f37539dbac7d601865f5657a5f733c36.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230524/406535e0d8df02c58642d65748b9f365.jpg)
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: 3bailey3 on May 23, 2023, 11:03:00 PM
awesome..
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: lunghit on May 24, 2023, 05:46:31 AM
Really cool. Congrats
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Turkeybutt on May 24, 2023, 06:00:14 AM
Congatulations on a fine looking gator.
Can't wait for my invite to come down for some gator nuggets!
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Tom007 on May 24, 2023, 06:10:03 AM
Real cool...
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: zelmo1 on May 24, 2023, 06:42:50 AM
Worth posting bro, Congrats. Z
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: JeffC on May 24, 2023, 08:06:36 AM
Congrats on a dinosaur! glad we don't have them up here.
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: idratherb on May 24, 2023, 09:39:02 AM
I luv boots!!!! Size 11 please
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on May 24, 2023, 01:38:10 PM
Quote from: idratherb on May 24, 2023, 09:39:02 AM
I luv boots!!!! Size 11 please

After pricing the boots, it may take me a few years to save up for them! ????????????
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on May 24, 2023, 01:40:10 PM
Thanks everyone! It was a blast!
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: runngun on May 24, 2023, 09:03:05 PM
Glad you had a great time!!! That is a good one, thanks for sharing it with us!!!

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: squidd on May 25, 2023, 05:26:36 AM
Definitely a labor of love to go gator hunting and more labor the larger they are!!

Awesome looking skull and like the use of the treble hook.
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: tad1 on May 25, 2023, 10:00:36 AM
I really like that unique presentation, both the snatch hook, as well as the coloration of the skull.
    Great job
   JT
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on May 25, 2023, 10:03:58 AM
Quote from: squidd on May 25, 2023, 05:26:36 AM
Definitely a labor of love to go gator hunting and more labor the larger they are!!

Awesome looking skull and like the use of the treble hook.

I went in paying for a 10 footer. But like you said, everything was harder because it was so big. If I'm able to do it again, I'd like an 8-10' max just for the ease of everything. I got some weird looks fleshing the hide of a 11' gator with a pressure washer from my neighbors. ????
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on May 25, 2023, 10:05:38 AM
Quote from: tad1 on May 25, 2023, 10:00:36 AM
I really like that unique presentation, both the snatch hook, as well as the coloration of the skull.
    Great job
   JT

I knew going in I wanted that color. He's got some very cool color configurations including actual rust.  I'd followed skull millworks for about 3 years in hopes I'd draw a tag. And finally did. He was the first person I called! ????
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: squidd on May 25, 2023, 08:31:28 PM
Quote from: Bustabeak on May 25, 2023, 10:03:58 AM
Quote from: squidd on May 25, 2023, 05:26:36 AM
Definitely a labor of love to go gator hunting and more labor the larger they are!!

Awesome looking skull and like the use of the treble hook.

I went in paying for a 10 footer. But like you said, everything was harder because it was so big. If I'm able to do it again, I'd like an 8-10' max just for the ease of everything. I got some weird looks fleshing the hide of a 11' gator with a pressure washer from my neighbors. ????

My largest is a 10'-8" and anything over 9' I sell. Try to keep it under 8' if I'm going to butcher it. I've had the same thing happen, go for a smaller one and then end up sticking a big-un.

I still haven't messed with a hide, only let the heads rot in the back yard.  Mrs. always reminds me when the buzzards show up in the city :deadhorse:
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Justinbowhunter on June 05, 2023, 10:03:40 AM
What zone did you hunt? looking at options for when i eventually draw my tag. did you go with an outfitter or DIY?
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on June 05, 2023, 10:05:42 AM
Quote from: Justinbowhunter on June 05, 2023, 10:03:40 AM
What zone did you hunt? looking at options for when i eventually draw my tag. did you go with an outfitter or DIY?
I went to zone 7. And I did go with a guide. His name was Gary Frye. He owns happy acres expedition in screven georgia. Highly recommend Gary If you're interested in a zone 7 or zone 8 hunt. He was great!!
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: Bustabeak on June 05, 2023, 10:06:40 AM
Quote from: Justinbowhunter on June 05, 2023, 10:03:40 AM
What zone did you hunt? looking at options for when i eventually draw my tag. did you go with an outfitter or DIY?
Also, check out the video I posted of the hunt. and he gives his number at the end if interested.
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: DROCK on June 05, 2023, 11:00:23 AM
Very cool, congrats!
Title: Re: I know I know. It’s not a turkey. Georgia Alligator
Post by: howl on June 06, 2023, 08:55:50 PM
Nice!

I've got 13 points for GA. I really ought to go one of these days.