ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — At the Alligator Farm, American gators are a common sight.
They sunbathe, swim, or hang out in their habitat.
But in the wild, hunting one takes time and planning, which more people are willing to do.
Yesterday, Action News showed you video of a massive, 13-foot, 765-pound gator captured in the St. Johns River, and killed by Keith Kelley and Kelly Sziy.
The duo staked out the alligator for months, even named him "Lumpy."
"Lumpy" was one of the latest reptiles snagged during alligator hunting season, which started mid-August.
"Just like deer, especially up north, you got to keep the population in check," said Jim Darlington, curator of reptiles at the Alligator Farm. "If alligators, like other animals, over populate, their populations will become sick and a lot of times they're going to die anyways," said Darlington.
Alligator hunting comes with a number of rules. Hunters must have a permit and can only use certain weapons.
Firearms, powered-gigs and set hooks are not legal on public waters. But the compound bow, re-curve bow, crossbow or harpoon are allowed.
As for "Lumpy," he was turned into 217 pounds of processed meat. His head will hang on Kelley's wall.
Darlington said the pair of hunters lucked out. It's not often you stumble across a "Lumpy."
"It can be really hard to find a really, really big one," said Darlington.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said there's between one and two million alligators in Florida.
WJAX
