The 2012 Florida Alligator season is just around the corner. In Florida, we depend on the ever so reliable lottery system for residents and non-residents alike to draw annual alligator harvest tags. Each year the guys and I throw our names into the basket to try our luck. This year I prevailed in Phase I! I got my first choice…Polk County, Week 1! As for the rest of the team they were not so lucky. “Unsuccessful” is the word of choice used by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Now the rest of the guys will have to sit by their computers and wait for Phase II, which by the way is, first come, first serve, in hopes to scoop up a leftover tag. Let’s just hope the FWC website doesn’t crash as they are entering their credit card numbers.
With my tag paid for and it slowly making its way to Lakeland, I can now start to prep for the upcoming season. I already have a great lake picked out to hunt. The guys and I tagged out on this lake last year; it truly is a hidden gem that seems to have very little pressure. Central Florida has been in a drought this year, so lake levels across the state are very low. Over the next couple of months I will make several trips out on the water to make sure there are no new obstacles. The majority of our hunting is done under darkness so, it is always good to do some scouting during the day prior, not only to find where the bull gators are hanging out but to pin point any obstructions.
Now is the time to start slowly but surely auditing my gear. Bow lights need to be dusted off and mounted to the boat, snatch hooks need to be sharp and wire leaders inspected, harpoon and driver needs to be strong and most importantly the .357 bang stick needs to be operational. Better to do this inspection now, rather than to find out on the first night of my hunt. Would hate to have 12’ footer on the line and not have a bang stick that was working!
Needless to say, I cannot wait for the August opener. I wish it started tomorrow!
Brock – SD Pro Staff
Southern Draw Field Journal 