I don't have the equipment or boat to do it, so I didn't put in for a tag.
Most people shoot them with a bow/crossbow or harpoon them, and then bring them along side the boat (required by law) before it is secured and killed.
People eat the tail meat as is and get the rest cubed. I think some may sell the hides or trade them in to a processor in exchange for the meat processing itself.
Thats crazy. And to think that they have to harpoon them, then bring them beside the boat to kill them is just nuts! How long do you think it would take to get a 13+ footer close to the boat without flipping it? Scary..........
That gator is well over 20 years old, maybe over 30.
It must be a good year. Everyone I know in MS and LA filled their tags the opening weekend.
We had a 15'r at work after Katrina and the idiots wouldn't quit feeding it. The Wildlife and Fisheries ended up shooting it . We enjoyed watching it every morning right beside our maintenance shop.