Every alligator region in Mississippi is capable of producing a giant reptile for hunters, as statistics from the 2016 season show. Only the Northwest zone, which has the least habitat and the fewest gators, failed to produce a 12-footer and it did have a respectable 11.25-footer taken.
The most productive zones were the Southwest and West Central zones, which was not a surprise. These zones, which include the Mississippi River and its tributaries and backwaters, and the Pearl River, have the best habitat and the most and largest gators.
A total of 203 gators were taken in the Southwest, including the 13.58-footer that was the largest of the year and a new state record. The West Central saw 201 killed with a 13.08 the largest.
The only other region to yield a 13-footer last year was the small Pearl River/Barnett Reservoir zone, which Flynt believes has the most-dense population in the state.
Records for the public lands alligator season are:
Longest male: 13 feet, 7 7/8 inches, Tiffany Wienke (Vicksburg), Southwest Zone, Aug. 28, 2016.
Heaviest male: 822 pounds, Clayton Gibson (Natchez), Southwest Zone, Aug. 28, 2015.
Longest female: 10 feet, Brandon Maskew (Ellisville), Southeast Zone, Aug. 31, 2013.
Heaviest female: 319 pounds, Craig Jones (Mendenhall), West Central, Aug. 30, 2015.
Be the first to comment