Over two decades, Texas fishermen achieved an awe-inspiring feat, capturing a 13-foot, 680-pound elusive alligator on September 28.
Robert Hennis, accompanied by his son Joel, Rev. John Benandini Jr., and Tommy Strawn, successfully pulled the colossal reptile from Turtle Bayou, near Anahuac in Chambers County, Texas.
Wrangling the Massive Alligator Behind Robert’s Home
The saga of pursuing this gargantuan gator began 20 years ago, marked by numerous close encounters but never quite sealing the deal.
The elusive creature would often appear a week before the hunting season, teasing the fishermen, only to vanish until after the season concluded. However, luck favored the fishermen this time, as the alligator fell prey to their well-laid trap.
Using bayou mullet as bait, the team managed to lure the elusive creature, which had been lurking behind Robert’s home. Wrangling the massive alligator was no easy feat, and it took four 800-pound paracords to hoist the creature to the water’s surface. The powerful alligator fought fiercely, breaking two lines in its struggle to escape.
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Donated Alligator Meat Benefits Local Churchgoers
Most of the harvested alligator meat found its way to Porter’s Processing, a wild game processing farm in Anahuac, where it will be donated to local church parishioners, providing sustenance to the community.
Meanwhile, Joel and Robert kept around 10 pounds of meat from the alligator’s jowls, preserving a piece of their hard-earned triumph.
Additionally, a full-body mount is being prepared, ensuring the remarkable tale of their 20-year quest will live on as a testament to persistence and success in the face of nature’s challenges.
The annual alligator hunting season in Southeast Texas, a moment long-awaited by many, extends from September 10 through 30, bringing together hunters and enthusiasts to partake in this adventurous endeavor.
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