In the state of Georgia, the Department of Natural Resources has the key. Good customers, who follow the rules, get to help themselves to free stuff. At the most recent meeting of the Board of Directors (who knew state agencies have boards of directors, just like private corporations?), the topic was alligators.
Alligator management, it turns out, means deciding how many permits to issue to insure the right number get killed. And, even though the "success" rate is only thirty percent, alligator hunting is developing into a team sport, increasing in popularity because it's an "opportunity" for cameraderie and a "unique" experience.
The communal kill!!! Now, there's progress!!!
As the expert in the video says, alligators go after slow moving prey, mostly fish and wading birds and lots of turtles are what he's found in their stomachs.
That, by the way, is scientific. Using instruments to count and measure is scientific. But, using a bit of art doesn't hurt, because nature tends to be sort of random.
Alligator basking in the sun.
Who'd want to kill such an elegant fellow? Must be someone who's jealous.
I will admit to having once eaten alligator tail. But, that was in Florida, at another time. Specifically, it was at the Orlando Airport, waiting for a plane. That, in my experience, since I've never travelled on a commercial plane, is what airports are for -- eating strange foods while waiting.