What do the ‘Swamp People’ do with the alligators after catching them? Hunting truths revealed!

History Channel’s Swamp People season 12 is well underway, but fans want to know more about what they do with the alligators after catching them.

The series is based on a group of people living in Louisiana by a swamp, the programme shoots over a 30 day period where they go gator hunting.

Read on to find out everything about Swamp People and what happens to the alligators when captured.

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What do the ‘Swamp People’ do with the alligators after catching them?

• The Swamp People often kill the alligators after catching them and will then try and sell them. The hunters can often profit from their meat and their hides.

The hunters on Swamp People are all registered and licensed to catch alligators. Swamp People have the tags which are necessary to allow them to make hunting gators their job.

The alligator hides are used in a variety of luxury goods such as shoes, belts, suitcases and leather. As a result of this, Swamp People can make lots of money by selling the alligators after catching them.

There is a rule according to The Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council that you have to tag an alligator after catching it. However, if you own your own hunting grounds then you can breed as many gators as you wish.

How much do hunters make?

Hunters are making a lot less off of Alligators than they had done in previous years. Reportedly, Louisiana alligator hunters used to make between $20 – $40 per foot of unprocessed alligator. However, in 2017 and 2018 there was increased competition coming from overseas and this caused gator sales to drop to an all-time low.

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Hunting truths revealed!

Hunters only have a 30 day period because alligator hunting in Louisiana became outlawed after they were being over hunted and the population of the species was dropping.

After this, the gator hunting became a lot more regulated and therefore the Swamp People only have 30 days to fill all their tags.

Swamp People are required to stay fit and healthy, as they have to be in good shape. Not only to hold the gators in place so their partner can get a good shot but also to ensure they don’t get infected with any diseases.

Therefore Swamp People reportedly take antibiotics to prevent against any unknown diseases that a gator might be carrying. Though any infections the gator may be carrying might not affect them, one bite can seriously infect a hunter.