Should hunters shoot gators with a handgun?
FWC set to discuss proposed changes to alligator hunting
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FWC plans to discuss the issue at next week's meeting. Video by fox4now.com
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NAPLES, Fla.- Should you be allowed to use a handgun to hunt gators in Florida? The state's Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission could be getting an earful of answers to that question soon.
Robert Daffin with Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours has been around these reptiles his entire life. He use to hunt gators, but now not so much.
"Killing a 40 year old animal for nothing just to kill it... as you get older you think about things."
Florida Fish and Wildlife is set to discuss the idea in an upcoming meeting next Thursday.
"As long as you got the gator on the side of the boat...I would be alright cause you're right on top of it."
But Robert has concerns about using a gun to shoot a reptile at a distance.
"A gator's head is just like a piece of concrete at a distance. You shoot it ...you're going to ricochet off it if you don't hit it in one spot," said Daffin.
Under the possible rule changes, hunters would have to get the gator under control first and then shoot it. FWC is also set to discuss allowing hunters to pursue their prey 24 hours a day within alligator season. Season runs from Aug. 15th to Nov. 1st.
"As long as it's done right and people know how to shoot... I see no problem with that."
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