Giant Alligators Make Record-Breaking Splash in Mississippi
Mississippi’s Labor Day weekend witnessed an extraordinary showdown with nature as two hunting parties triumphantly clashed with colossal alligators, showcasing the incredible strength and tenacity of these ancient reptiles. As the weekend unfolded, records were shattered and new stories etched into the annals of Mississippi’s wild encounters.
The stage was set in Claiborne County, Mississippi, where the mighty Mississippi River flows. Here, a daring hunting party achieved a new record, capturing an awe-inspiring alligator that tipped the scales at a staggering 727 pounds. Armed with crossbows and shotguns, these intrepid hunters embarked on a mission to conquer a creature that has inhabited these waters for centuries.
Meanwhile, in Issaquenna County’s Yazoo Diversion Canal, another group embarked on their own alligator conquest. Beth Trammell, a member of this determined party, emerged victorious by taking down a massive alligator measuring 13 feet, 5.5 inches in length and weighing an impressive 723.5 pounds. In a testament to the immense power and allure of these creatures, her feat broke the previous state weight record of 697.5 pounds—a record that had stood until that remarkable moment.
Yet, the thrill of record-breaking did not end there. Ricky Flynt, the Mississippi Alligator program coordinator, was soon to certify yet another record-breaking catch. This time, it was Dustin Bockman, a UPS carrier from Vicksburg, who stole the spotlight with his capture of a 727-pound alligator measuring 13 feet, 4.5 inches. With this, Claiborne County secured its new weight record and added another captivating chapter to Mississippi’s alligator chronicles.
The lengths of these alligators may not have clinched the record, but a different giant holds that title—a 13 feet, 6.5 inches behemoth captured in the Pascagoula River back in 2008.
As the stories of these remarkable hunts unfolded, other adventurers entered the spotlight as well. Brandon Maskrew of Ellisville earned the title of capturing the largest female alligator, a feat made even more significant as his catch weighed in at 295.3 pounds and stretched an impressive 10 feet in length.
Amidst the triumphs and battles, the shared camaraderie of these hunters stood out. Michael and Bethany Piper, along with their experienced friends Terry Fauver, Eric Bowers, and Dean Nettles, embarked on a two-day quest that culminated in the capture of a 650-700 pound alligator from the Pascagoula River. Their story highlights not only the thrill of the chase but also the challenges and moments of astonishment that nature never fails to provide.
In the aftermath of these daring encounters, alligator flesh was destined to become sausage, and trophies were to be mounted—a reminder of the incredible stories that unfolded during this Labor Day weekend. Mississippi’s waters, brimming with ancient creatures that have stood the test of time, continue to offer adventurers a glimpse into a world both ancient and astonishing. And as these stories echo through the years, they remind us that the mysteries of the wild are waiting to be unraveled, one record-breaking catch at a time.
