Page 41 - Winter 2022

whole group, he killed the biggest alligator, which was 11 feet 2 inches.
In total, my mom and grandfather killed a total of nine alligators with the help of Greg Hedges, the guide, and his son, Doobie. Greg has been hunting alligators for 30 years and taught my family everything from baiting the gators to preparing them to cook.
Roy was pleased to explain that “catching and killing the gators happened exactly as seen on ‘Swamp People.’ As our guide pulled the gator in, it thrashed and struggled just like on the show.”
Everyone in the boat learned how to use cow spleen as bait for the alligators. As Greg pulled the gator in, my grandfather and mom took turns shooting the creature, making sure to hit the quarter-sized spot on its head that ensures an immediate death. Missing that particular spot only makes the gator struggle and flail more, which Roy said gave him “a nice adrenaline rush.”
Alligators sometimes take the bait and drag it to dry land instead of simply thrashing in the water. The first alligator my mom shot was on dry land, which meant she had to climb out of the boat and get closer to the menacing creature. She said this experience was “much scarier than shooting in the water” because she was more vulnerable and close-up on land than she was in the boat.
After the hunt, they even got to store their gators in a cooler
at Duffy’s, the iconic “hangout spot” on the show.
Instead of being nervous about sending her 82-year-old husband off to hunt alligators, Judy was proud of his positivity and was excited that he had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She stayed in the cabin while they were on the boat, eagerly
awaiting updates from my dad, Donald, about the hunt. “Getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean that you cannot have peace about it,” said Judy. “It is especially helpful if
your family is behind you.”
Despite a global pandemic, a broken hip and a hurricane, my
family went on an extraordinary trip that they will remember forever. The only souvenir they brought home is a cooler full of alligator meat from two of the gators they killed. Now all they have to do is learn how to cook it, and I am sure we will be coming together as a family to reminisce on their adventure and enjoy some delicious gator.
The way my parents and grandparents rallied together to make this trip happen is proof of what can happen when you set goals, have faith and work together.
“God heard our prayers and He was in this situation the whole time,” said Judy. “It was an adventure and we are forever grateful for His love and faithfulness.”
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WINTER 2022 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | PAGE 39
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