Huge Georgia Gators

Zone 2, Lake Seminole: Lavern Wingard (right) killed this 13-1 beast on his first time ever gator hunting. Also pictured is Kyle Yoder from Kentucky and his 8-year-old son Blake. Kyle also drew a gator tag and killed a 5-footer. Lavern said, “We got the big one about 200 yards from the boat dock as we were leaving to go back home from the two-night hunt.”

Zone 2, Lake Seminole: An opening-night giant! Pictured left to right are Hopper Alexander, Keith Roberts, Kevin Roberts, Mitchell Roberts, Todd Hubbard and Logan Hubbard. Todd writes, “We hooked into the gator around 9:30 p.m. on opening night. Logan did most of the work, and around three hours later, we were able to get him into the boat with help from friends (the Roberts) who were hunting nearby. The gator was 13-3 and over 500 pounds. A 13-3 gator is a heck of a lot of gator for a 17-foot boat. We didn’t see as many gators as in the past but are looking forward to going back again soon. This was our first time trying this solo, and it definitely will be a night that we won’t ever forget.”

Zone 2, Lake Seminole: Tag holder Anna Alexander, of Jefferson, took this 12-footer on Sept. 12. Pictured left to right are Todd Hubbard, Logan Hubbard, Hopper Alexander and Anna Alexander. Anna reports, “This was a DIY hunt and the second one for the season, with the first one being 13-3 taken by Todd Hubbard (pictured just above).”

Zone 1A, Lake Eufaula: It took Matt Massee seven years to get his gator tag, but it all paid off. Matt said, “We finally got three lines in him with 80-lb. test, then pulled him to the boat with another hook and mule tape where we had to harpoon him twice before we were able to use the bang stick. He was 12-1.”

Zone 2, Lake Seminole: David Kilore with “Kilgore’s Kids,” which helps physically challenged kids overcome and rejoice in God’s great outdoors, had some family time and decided to go gator hunting. They ended up killing this 13-footer. When it was skinned out, they found an old arrow tip and braided line from a past encounter with a hunter. The full story of this gator with some history can be read at gon.com.

Zone 7, Altamaha River: Paul Dennis (center), of Concord, and his daughter Ruth Faulkner and her husband, of Salt Lake City, Utah, hammered 8- and 11-footers in August.

Zone 2, Chattahoochee River: Olivia Todd has killed a bigger gator than her husband now with this 11-footer.

Zone 1, Chattahoochee River: Here’s the biggest gator that GON has heard about so far. This beast went 13-8. Those in the photo are John Trammell, Darrell Brown, tag-holder Adam Fraser and Travis Proctor. Adam said, “Priase God, he was a beast. I was humbled for sure to take such a creature.”

Zone 6, Camden County: Caleb Williams (far right), of Blackshear, harvested his first alligator on Aug. 29 in Camden County. Assisting him was his dad, Mark Williams (left) and friend Ran Simmons. The gator was 9 feet long.

Zone 7, Altamaha River/Champney River: Brandon Beasley (tag holder on the right) with an 11-2 gator. Danny Gressinger was there on the hunt to assist.

Zone 8A, Fort Stewart: Craig Darsey killed this 11-footer on Aug. 22. His hunting partners were Aaron Midkiff and Stacy Patton.