Gator season in Mississippi kicked off with a bang as a local hunting team made an incredible catch that has left them “over the moon.” The team, braving torrential rains for over three hours and surviving multiple close calls, reeled in a monstrous alligator measuring an astounding 14 feet, 1 and 1/8 inches long.

The gator’s official weight was a whopping 802 pounds, and its girth was 65.5 inches. The reptile is estimated to be over 60 years old, making this catch a triumph not only in size but also in the creature’s age and history.

The hunters shared their excitement on social media, expressing their gratitude to Red Antler Processing for their support and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) for assisting with the official measurements. According to the post, Andrew from MDWFP was particularly helpful during the process.

The Clarion-Ledger reports that Megan Sasser was the tag-holder for the hunting party, which was hunting in the Yazoo River near Vicksburg. Other people in the hunting group included Marty and Lauren Sasser of Terry, Justin Pettway of Pelahatchie, Connie Flanagin of Terry and Brandi Robinson of Enterprise.

In a Facebook post, the team described how they “sat through a monsoon for over 3 hours,” and despite enduring a “death roll” and significant damage to their equipment, they successfully brought the gator home. They celebrated their achievement of joining the “14-foot club,” a rare feat in the world of gator hunting.

After the exhilarating catch, the team plans to take a well-deserved day of rest. This remarkable start to Gator Season 2024 is sure to be remembered for years to come, as this “fairy tale hunt” sets the bar high for the rest of the season.