Hunters began venturing out into alligator-infested waters across Florida on Monday as the statewide alligator hunt officially got underway.
- Florida's alligator-hunting season runs Aug. 15 to Nov. 1
- About 6,000 people were issued permits for the hunt
- Go here for FWC's 2016 guide to alligator hunting in Florida
About 6,000 people were issued permits for the 2.5-month-long hunt.
Brett Thompson said his family traveled from North Carolina to hunt something they won't find back home.
"An adventure and a little bit of thrill-seeking," Thompson said of alligator hunting.
Thompson and his brother grew up in North Carolina, but their dad is from Central Florida and knows that alligators are just about everywhere in the middle of the Sunshine State.
"There are definitely plenty of gators out there," Thompson said. "It's just actually getting it will be a bit of a task."
The Thompsons are in luck, though. They have joined forces with a couple of local, experienced alligator hunters. The Thompsons hunted alligators before, but they came up short. This time, however, they're getting to hunt Lake Jesup, one of the most alligator-infested waters in the United States.
"We seem to have the idea set up this time having the first week on Lake Jesup," Thompson said.
The hunt is designed to manage the alligator population throughout the state.
Last month, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers killed a gator after it attacked a woman swimming in the Econlockhatchee River.
With attacks on people — including the one on a boy at Disney in June — Thompson hopes he can help play a small role in keeping people safe.
"Plenty of gators all over the place, I don't see how anybody wouldn't think it's a nuisance," Thompson said. "To be able to help that out would be good."
Go here for more information on the statewide alligator hunt.