The record catches occurred during the state’s annual alligator hunt, which concluded yesterday and is critical for reducing the reptile population in places where it is plentiful, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
During the lottery-style hunt, 923 persons will be issued permission to catch two gators apiece.
As the hunt began last week, Beth Trammell, called “The Alligator Queen,” set a state record with a 723.5lb alligator.
Then, on Sunday morning, rookie hunter Dalco Turner brought the boat a massive 741.5lb bull gator from the Mississippi River’s backwaters.
She reported how the hunting party tamed and dispatched the animal within an hour, but because he was too large to fit into the boat, they could only pull him into shallow water until aid came.
