Can a First Timer Go Gator Hunting in Orlando?
My core service is creating an adventure of a lifetime from the woods to the table while providing a safe space for any beginner to experience the great outdoors. Gator hunting in Orlando is where that promise gets tested, and yes, a first timer can absolutely do it. I start from the basics and break it down, so you know what every piece of gear does before we ever see a gator.
We hunt the St. Johns River at night from a six passenger airboat, about 30 minutes from Orlando, and I have been driving airboats for over 30 years. Tags, equipment, and your guide are included. We charge no trophy fees, so a 12 footer costs you the same as an 8 footer. All you need to bring is long sleeves and a way to take pictures.
Two brothers on a recent 3 night gator hunt had never gone after a gator in their lives. They had a hand in multiple harvests, and before the trip ended they were planning the next one.
Tags are limited and we fill them first come, first served. Do not wait until August.
How Much Does a Guided Gator Hunt Cost?
A guided gator hunt costs $1,500 for one night, $2,250 for two nights, or $3,000 for three nights, and every package is built around one gator 8 feet or more. The extra nights buy you more time on the water to find the gator you came for. We do require a non-refundable $300 deposit per hunter to hold your spot for the upcoming season.
1 Night
1 Gator 8ft. or more
$1,500.00
2 Nights
1 Gator 8ft. or more
$2,250.00
3 Nights
1 Gator 8ft. or more
$3,000.00
If the tag is not in your name you will be required to purchase an additional agent's tag at $51.50.
*Does not include processing the gator. We have an additional processing fee of $20 per foot for skinning and packaging of meat, so a 10 foot gator runs about $200.
What Happens on a Night Gator Hunt?
We go looking for eyes. You meet us at the ramp, we walk through every safety protocol, and we load up and run out as the sun drops. Once it is dark the spotlights come on, and a gator's eyes throw back a red glow you can pick out from a long way off. When we find one that fits your tag, the boat gets quiet and your guide sets you up for the shot.
You pick the weapon: crossbow, compound bow, harpoon, or a fishing pole rigged to snag. It is by far the most exciting and challenging way to harvest an alligator. Once you have a line on him the fight is on, and it takes strength and patience to bring a big gator alongside the boat. We dispatch it with a bang stick before it ever comes aboard.
Six people fit on the airboat, so bring your family or your hunting buddies and share the night. There is nothing that helps bond you more than catching a gator with someone you love. If somebody in your group would rather watch than hunt, our night airboat tours show you the same river after dark.
When Is Gator Season, and Do You Need a License?
Florida's gator season runs August 15 through November 1, and you do not need to win the state lottery to hunt with us. Tags are drawn in May. We supply the tags, you get listed as an agent under one of our trappers, and we take it from there.
If the tag is not in your name, you will need an agent's license for $51.50, which you can buy through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com before you arrive. You do not need a regular Florida hunting license. Already drew your own tags? We can also guide you to fill them in our areas.
Booking takes one phone call. We pick the best date around your travel schedule, the weather, and the time of season, then I tell you what to bring, give you the address where we meet, and confirm the day and time. Plan on a long sleeve shirt or light jacket, closed toe shoes, a drink with a twist top, and your phone or camera. We keep bug spray on the boat. Leave the flip flops at home.
What Can You Take Home From a Gator Hunt?
Meat, a hide, and a mount if you want one. That is the woods to the table part of what I do.
We generally harvest gators at 8 feet or better with an average of 10 feet, and our success rate is very high. A 10 foot gator gives you about 50 pounds of lean meat worth between $8 and $14 a pound, plus a hide averaging $300. That is a lot of fried gator tail.
We drop your gator at a local processor for skinning and packaging, and we get your hide ready for the taxidermist. Bring a big cooler if you plan to haul the meat yourself. The taxidermists we work with do everything from full body mounts to custom purses, so that hide can end up on your wall or on somebody's arm.
Staying a few days? Sleep at the ranch and add one of our Florida hog hunts, which run all year.
Why Hunt Gators With a Licensed Guide?
Because a gator hunt puts you on an airboat in the dark, and that is no place for someone learning as they go. These boats can run as fast as 50 mph with no enclosure and no seatbelts, and driving one takes intense training and proper licenses. More people have gone into business around here with little to no experience navigating these waterways, and airboat handling is not directly taught in boating safety classes.
At Switchgrass Outfitters we keep our captains on the most up to date licenses and safety protocols, and every trip starts with a safety speech. We watch the weather and the other boats all night.
I was born and raised in the heart of Florida, and so were all six of my kids. Most people pick me because of my reviews and my TripAdvisor ratings, and you can read the story behind Switchgrass Outfitters on our about page.
Call or text (321) 900-2494 and tell me what size gator you are after.
Lodging at the Ranch
Whether you're planning on coming to experience a hunt with Switchgrass Outfitters or just want a family getaway for a relaxing retreat, our lodging is available to all.
Things to do:
You can take advantage of the grill and enjoy making smores around the fire pit where memories will be created for a lifetime.
We offer a shooting range for sighting in guns or crossbows.
Private Swamp Buggy eco tours available
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