Bird Hunting with Alligators

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

During a meeting with Gander Mountain’s Joe Woodward and Pheasants Forever’s Anthony Hauck last week, the conversation took a lighthearted turn to the television show Swamp People on History Channel.  To their surprise, I admitted to never catching a single episode of the series.  As both guys attempted to describe the show’s alligator hunting premise, they roared with laughter recounting tales of “Tree Shakers,” “Choot Ems,” and “Big Papas.” 

After catching my first episode last Thursday evening, I was instantly addicted.  In fact, I spent a rainy part of Easter weekend getting completely caught up on both seasons of Swamp People. 

As I watched these gator hunters on screen, my mind turned to bird hunting – as it always does.  Soon, I began to think about duck hunting in the marshes of southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.   Would I be able to send my dog into gator waters to retrieve a duck?  For that matter, would I have the courage to chase quail near the edges of gator water?

Would you?

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.