The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-13
ALLIGATOR HUNTING.
The Saurians Slaughtered In Great
Numbers by the Florida Sportsmen-
E'sstiS tFIa.) Letter to Chicago Tribune.

! Numbers by the Florida Sportsmen-
EiGstis (Fla.) Letter to Chicago Tribune.
Alligator hunting by night is now the
great sport in Florida Alligators have
learned to avoid mankind and steamboats,.
| Repeated trips can no W be made the entire
/ length of the st. Johns river without see
| ing q single specimen. The reptiles have
| been hunted down until they conceal them
selves at the first sound of boat or the
| sight Of any human Kind
Alligator hunting was formerly one of
| the most profitable pursuits in Florida as
well as a source Of infinite amusement The
reptiles have been slaughtered in immense
numbers all over the state. They seemingly
possess no intelligence and are slothful be-
yond description, but nevertheless have
learned that man is their enemy, and safety
is secured ONLY by haSty fight and seclusion
when he appears. They were formerly shot
for pastime by excursionists from the deck
of nearly every steamboat that Davigated
the lakes and rivers of the state, but now
the irOnclad rule is everywhere enforced
upon boats that alligators must not be seri-
ously disturbed by either passengers or en-
ployeS. This rule has been rendered neces-
sary to satisfy women and children, who
frequently complain that they have been in
Florida for weeks without ever seeing a
SINCE real live alligator IN his native hauntS
Under present conditions alligator hunt
ing by daylight has become a tiresome, I'M
interesting and Improbable occupation in
most paris of The peninsula, and the hunt
ers have adopted he novel scheme of killing
them by night. The men equip themselves
with gums, revolvers, knives and bull's-eye
lanterns and seek an alligator track as soon
as it is dark. These tracks are as plainly
married as wagon roads, and are made by
the alligator moving from one lake. river
or swamp to another. The men take their
stations and preserve absolute silence. The
alligators can be- heard at considerable dis
tance laboriously approaching When at the
proper point the bull's-eyes are turned upon
them. The sudden stream of dazzling light
terrorizes them, and they are seemingly
paralyzed for the noncs Their eyes bulge
out and sparkle like huge diamonds and at
these gllstening Orbs the hunters direct their
aim. 1t is useless to shoot them except in
the eyes, the open mouth or under the
throat, as their tough skins turn away the
shot and receive no injury. When the ALI
gators are all killed the hunters move on to
ahother ridge and await the approach of
more victims.
A negro is usually employed to remove
the hides and teeth, while the remains are
left as food for the numerous Duzzards
which are here protected by law. The hides
sell for from 81 to So each and the teeth for
as much more, the latter being worked up
into jewelry and other ornaments. Half
dozen enterprising men can secure from
one to a score of alligators in single night,
the number depending on the location and
the condition of the weather.
If the reptiles continue their migratory
habits there will be little trouble in exter-
minating them within few years without
excountering the dangers Of entering the
swamps to pursue them. The disposition to
move about apparently grows on them with
the advance of civilization, the uneasiness
among them being engendered presumably
by the persistency with which they are
pursued. In their present panic-stricken
condition they are seldom found far from
the water in daylight, but make all their
overland journeys by night