Alabama wildlife officials confirmed the capture of a 13-foot, 7-inch alligator weighing a jaw-dropping 620 pounds during what they call a record-setting night of hunting in the West Central Alligator Management Area on Thursday.
According to the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Facebook, 23 alligators were harvested in a single night. Officials say the surge is likely tied to an increase in the number of tags issued this season.
The gator was hauled in by Eli Beck and his father Christopher Beck, and uncles Ryan Speir and Brian Miller.
What is the biggest alligator on record in Alabama?
The enormous alligator is among the largest caught so far this season, though it falls short of the state's heaviest gator on record, a 1,011.5-pound gator captured in 2014.
State law regulates where alligators can be hunted in the state
The West Central Alligator Management Area includes both public and private waters in Monroe, Wilcox and Dallas counties in Alabama. Alligator hunting is allowed in Alabama, but only with a special license. There are five designated alligator management areas covering parts of 17 counties across southern Alabama, according to state law.
Each year, Alabama's regulated alligator hunts aim to maintain a healthy and balanced population of the apex predators, which have rebounded thanks to decades of conservation efforts.
Hunters pursuing gators in the Lake Eufaula, West Central Southwest and Coastal zones are reminded that check stations remain open from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on designated hunting nights.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Giant gator caught in Alabama. What's the biggest alligator on record?
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