Troy weighs in on Alabama Hunting

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Jacob andTroy Landry, the Cajun' talkin', gator wrasslin' father son duo from the The History Channel's hit show Swamp People had a lot to say about this year's first alligator hunting season in central Alabama.

In fact, they say that the hunting in Alabama may be even better than what they see in Louisiana. We got the chance to pick their brains about the sport, the danger and what hunters can expect from Alabama alligatorswhile they were in town at the 2011 Buckmasters Expo in downtown Montgomery.

Their advice may be a good thing to take note of if you're out on the waters, as Alabama hunters havepulled in gators larger than 14 feet long since the inaugural south-central Alabama hunt in Dallas, Wilcox and part of Monroe counties kicked off last weekend.

Turns out, it isn't as easy as "Monkey see, monkey do" in the gator hunting world. Since the born-on-the-Bayou men's thick Cajun accents usually require subtitles in the show to understand, here's what they had to say during our weekend interview. 

Christine Kneidinger: Gator hunting is just now getting established in the area, and people have pulled in some pretty massive gators. What do people need to know about hunting these animals, and how can they avoid getting hurt?

Jacob Landry: A lot of people wanna just go out there and hunt gators and they don't think that it's dangerous. Anyone can do it, but they need to be careful. Those things can take an arm off of even the pros real quick, so it's important to make sure you watch your step, not turn your back and be not be careless.  When they go out, in Alabama or wherever, they need to make sure that they follow the rules with game laws. 

CK: The biggest gator caught in Alabama this season was 14 feet long. You said earlier today that the biggest gator found in Louisiana was 18 feet. How do the opportunities in Alabama compare to those in Louisiana? 

Troy Landry: If this is the first season they've ever had I think there are even bigger ones than that out there. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first gator season in Alabama. We've been fishing forever and it's hard for us to find a big one like that. That 18 foot gator was caught about 100 years ago, so there is no telling if there are bigger ones and where they are. 

CK: On your show, you talk about the mythical "One Eye" monster gator. Tell me a little about this creature and if you think there are others of his kind lurking around Alabama waters. 

TL: I've never really had an encounter with one eye, but my friends have. He's kind of like a Sasquach in the swamp. There may be some like that here, but it would be hard to live up to what ol' "One Eye" has got going for him. 

CK: Many people are saying that the sport is catching on in Alabama because of your show, "Swamp People." People today stood in lines for over two hours to meet you. Did you ever expect the show to become such a phenomenon? 

JL: We're excited that it's taking off in all these places. Its great that we can touch people and get people together as families to do this together. This is what we've been doing all our lives, so no, we didn't expect this to take off like it did. 

CK: Bottom line, what do people need to know about hunting for gators?

JL: You gotta be careful, know where you're going and take your time. Some days you may not see anything at all, but others you may pull a few big ones in. Being patient is real important too. 

There you have it. Advice from the pros. Alabama hunters in the southeast area around Lake Eufaula have until Aug. 28 to, as the Landry's say, "choot em!" an alligator this season. By Christine Kneidinger, al.com